Orientation Set For Wednesday LCS Awaiting Kindergartners
LISBON - Anyone who has ever had a kindergartner knows that the first day of school is a major event.
Scared, anxious and excited are the three most common emotions youngsters say they experience upon heading to school for the first time.
Parents of Lisbon Central School kindergartners and developmental kindergartners have a chance to alleviate some of the usual fears and apprehensions that children experience, according to two board of education members, at Wednesday's orientation at the school.
"I feel the district's plan is to make both students and parents as comfortable as possible," said Chera L. Davison, board of education member and stay-at-home mother of four. "Let's face it, its a big change, and children typically don't like change," she continued.
Mrs. Davison will have a third-grader, a first-grader, and a kindergarten student at Lisbon this fall, as well as another child still at home. She said its an exciting, though anxious, time at the Davison residence right now.
"We're anxious," she says of her soon-to-be kindergartner, who Mrs. Davison said attended the district's Universal Pre-Kindergarten program last year. "Its a whole day, a big change from a half-day. Gym, art, and no more naps. Lunch at school. And being away from mom for so many hours is huge for a kindergartner."
Fellow board of education member, Tammy L. Amo, who teaches at Small Fry Academy, a nursery school in Ogdensburg, also referred to the pre-school experience.
"Lots of kids don't go to nursery school or Pre-K, they start right off in kindergarten," Mrs. Amo said, "so orientation is very important. Its important for new students to see their classroom and to meet their teacher.
"I can tell you from experience that many children are scared to death," she added.
Wednesday's 6 p.m. orientation, according to a district press release, will give parents and children an opportunity to not only meet their teacher and see their classroom, but also to review a typical school day. Families will receive nametags with their children's bus numbers and teacher's name. Parents are instructed to make sure their children wear these tags every school day for the first two weeks.
School starts at Lisbon Central School for all students on Sept. 7. Filled supply lists, including a pencil box with two pencils, a small box of crayons, Elmer's or stick glue, plastic drinking cup, blunt scissors, a large box of tissues to share and a two-pocket flat folder (kindergarten only), may be dropped off at orientation or brought on the first day. Supplies should be labeled with your child's name.
