Cheney School District is ready for kindergarten classes

The Cheney School District is kicking off its “READY! for Kindergarten class series in October.

READY! for Kindergarten is a free parent education program focusing on the development of skills children need to be ready to succeed in school when they enter kindergarten. Classes for parents are designed for parents or primary caregivers of children birth to age 5, or when a parent is expecting.

Parents who wish to take part in the READY! for Kindergarten program are invited to attend three classes during the school year. In the fall, class focuses on letters and sounds.

Fall classes will be held at Snowdon Elementary School Saturdays, Oct. 5, 12 and 19, with each session beginning at 9 a.m.

Winter classes, Jan. 25, Feb. 1 and 8, focus on math and reasoning, with spring classes April 20, 27 and May 4 focusing on social and emotional skills. The classes are specifically designed to prepare parents of children at each age level:

• Expecting Parents and Parents with Children Birth to Age 1

• Age 1-2

• Age 2-3

• Age 3-4

• Age 4-5

“We know that when students have sufficient skills in these areas, they are ready to succeed in school,” Cheney School District READY! for Kindergarten coordinator C.J. Johnson said in a news release. “Because parents are their children’s first and most influential teacher, we want to help parents work with their children on these skills.”

During the 90-minute READY! for Kindergarten classes, teachers use DVDs, written curriculum and hands-on instruction to share concepts with parents. Teachers demonstrate activities and developmentally appropriate instructional materials while benefits of using the materials are explained.

“The information, tools and activities we provide to parents enable them to work with their children and make learning easy and fun,” Johnson added.

These classes also give parents the opportunity to meet and get to know district kindergarten teachers. The classes are offered three times for each session in fall, winter and spring so parents with more than one child under the age of 5 may enroll in a class for each of their children.

While children do not take part in the READY! for Kindergarten classes, free childcare is available during the classes. Registration will be posted on the front page of the district web site, or contact Johnson at [email protected], or 559-4300 for a registration form.