Kindergarten Orientation Gets Reboot At Pothier

Tired of the same old kindergarten orientation year after year? Connecting for Children & Families (CCF) has the answer with “Passport to Kindergarten” tonight at 5:30 p.m. at .

The district-wide effort is spearheaded by Connecting for Children & Families (CCF) Early Reading First Project and takes the place of Woonsocket’s traditional kindergarten orientation.

The evening begins with registration and light refreshments. At 6:30 p.m., with passport in hand, children and families will “travel” to stations where they will participate in activities based on the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards.

School nurses, Child Outreach staff, transportation representatives, kindergarten teachers, special education, school administrators, and after-school childcare providers will be available to speak with families. Though about 80 percent of the city's kindergartners attend Pothier, said Therese Curtin, director at CCF, principals and staff from other schools will attend and have their own tables to welcome students attending their schools and their families.

As families progress through the activities throughout the school, children will receive a “stamp” on their passport. When families have completed all activities, children will receive a Homework Toolbox filled with all the essentials to start them on their journey to a successful year in kindergarten.

"It really is a very special time for everyone," Curtin said.