The first day of kindergarten sometimes has been a frightful experience for some children, being away from people and places they have known all their lives.  But that does not have to be the case any more, thanks to a new program by Monroe Public Schools called Young Fives and Kindergarten Jump Start.

          In addition, individual assessment sessions are offered to all incoming first-year students so teachers can best prepare for a child’s individual plan of instruction.

          In the Jump Start program, the incoming first-year class of students in Monroe Public Schools will be able to spend four days with their classroom teacher before school starts.  For two hours a day, August 22-25, the students are invited to spend time with their teachers, building staff and classmates to form new friendships and become more familiar with school.

          “Our teachers will use this time to make connections with the children and get to know than as individuals, academically and socially,” said Monroe Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Julie Everly.  She added that busing would be available for students but families also could bring the children, if the child might feel more comfortable.

          The program will be offered at five of the district’s elementary schools – Arborwood, Custer, Manor, Raisinville and Waterloo.

          Pre-registration is required but the sessions are free for all of the students and their families.  Persons wishing to register their child must call Monroe Public Schools at 265-3100 and leave a message with the child’s name, school name, contact information and whether or not they want a school bus to transport their child.

          Also new for this school year is the Individual Assessment Session.  These sessions will provide important information for the teacher to prepare for a child’s individual instructions plan for the new school year. 

          Assessment sessions are offered at each elementary school at various times between August 22 and September 1.  The district is committed to working with families’ schedules for the assessments.  To schedule an appointment, please call your child’s schools between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on August 15 and 16.  School phone numbers are listed on the MPS website at www.monroe.k12.mi.us.  Refrigerator magnets with all school phone numbers also will be available at the Monroe Public Schools booth at the Monroe County Fair.  Stop by and ask for one.

          Children who are scheduled to begin school this year in Young 5’s or in kindergarten can be registered Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St.  No appointments are necessary and the paperwork you will be required to fill out can be found on the MPS website.