Change. This word, for some people, carries a negative connotation. For others, change is something positive. In most cases, change is inevitable. For instance, babies grow into toddlers, they go off to school, and they become more immersed in the journey called life. The transition from being at home 24/7 to attending school can be challenging for kids, which is why Hempfield School District (HSD) wants to help parents prepare their children for kindergarten since registration for the 2022-23 academic year is currently open.

Kindergarten readiness is a list of skills kids are encouraged to have before entering kindergarten. The list is broken down into the following categories: emotional, social, fine motor, self-care, behavioral, language and communication, pre-reading and literacy, and math. This list gives parents the opportunity to work on these areas at home to provide their children with foundational skills and a head start for kindergarten.

"If they come in and they have some of those skills already, then they can focus more on those new things and they're not struggling with academics," explained Centerville Elementary School principal Tom Kramer.

HSD also has a Preschool Connections Club, which invites parents to bring their preschool-age children to the HSD school they will be attending, which would be either Centerville Elementary School, Rohrerstown Elementary School, East Petersburg Elementary School, Farmdale Elementary School, Landisville Primary Center, or Mountville Elementary School. While parents attend an informational meeting and ask questions, the future kindergartners spend time with teachers of special subjects, such as art, music, physical education, and library, so they can get acquainted and complete activities together. After the kids rejoin their parents, the event culminates in a school bus ride.

"If parents are looking for something to do with their kids and they're looking for information as well, Preschool Connections Club is a good resource for them," stated Kramer.

Each elementary school in the school district hosts Preschool Connections Club meetings once a month during the academic year. A schedule can be found at http://www.hempfieldsd.org/domain/324.

After completing the kindergarten enrollment process, parents are invited to participate in Kindergarten Orientation Night at the school building designated in their attendance area. Dates and times are posted on the HSD website at http://www.hempfieldsd.org/Page/881.

Children who are 5 years old before Sept. 1 are eligible to begin school in the 2022-23 academic year. Kindergarten sessions run in half-day sessions, so children attend school either in the morning from 9 to 11:45 a.m. or in the afternoon from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m.

"I encourage the parents to stay connected, get on social media, and stay informed," stated Kramer. "People can join the email list for their own school to stay up to date on what's happening."

For more information, visit http://www.hempfieldsd.org.