First-Time Kindergarten Parent Meeting - 2025
Kindergarten enrollment process and deadlines
Transitioning to full-day kindergarten
Managing student independence and daily routines
Addressing parental anxieties about school entry
Social-emotional development and friendship building
Decision-making for children with summer birthdays
Ready Set Go conference overview
School immersion programs
Full Document Analysis
Notable Quotes (2)
If you are trying to apply for enrollment in a school outside of your boundaried area, we call that alternate enrollment. If you get that application for alternate enrollment in before January 15th, you are kind of prioritized in the lottery.
The exhaustion at the very beginning is hard. We try really hard to make sure parents understand when they come to their ready set go conference that we will treat them like they are our own.
People (7)
Cararissa KesterChief of StaffStillwater Schools staff; organized the parent meeting and facilitates the panel discussion.
Stillwater Schools staff; organized the parent meeting and facilitates the panel discussion.
Tyler BotnanParentParent of a student at Lily Lake; shares experiences on daily routines and school transitions.
1 quote
Parent of a student at Lily Lake; shares experiences on daily routines and school transitions.
“It's also like how do we pack our backpack or where do you want your snacks in your backpack? So, it's like when they're at school, when it's snack time, or when they're thirsty, they know where that's going to be.”
Advice on preparing children for school independence.
ErinParentParent of a student at Stonebridge; discusses emotional adjustments to full-day schooling.
1 quote
Parent of a student at Stonebridge; discusses emotional adjustments to full-day schooling.
“Pre be prepared to get your kiddo back in like six weeks... they go to school and they're holding it all together and they're like doing so well at school and then they come home and they just kind of like ah.”
Describing the 'after-school decompression' phase for kindergarteners.
AngelaParentParent of a Lily Lake student; discusses the decision to wait a year for a child with an August birthday.
1 quote
Parent of a Lily Lake student; discusses the decision to wait a year for a child with an August birthday.
“I think some of the key points for us, I mean, one is just who our daughter is. We thought it would be better for her to have that extra year. She's a wiggly one.”
Explaining the decision to delay kindergarten enrollment.
MattParentParent of a Lily Lake student; spouse of Angela.
Parent of a Lily Lake student; spouse of Angela.
Ashley HoyusKindergarten TeacherEducator at Lake Elmo; focused on routine building and the Ready Set Go conference.
1 quote
Educator at Lake Elmo; focused on routine building and the Ready Set Go conference.
“The first few weeks we spend a lot of time learning routines and procedures and things that seem very simple and easy at home are very different in a classroom.”
Explaining the classroom adjustment period.
Kim NelsonKindergarten TeacherEducator at Anderson Elementary; 24-year district veteran.
1 quote
Educator at Anderson Elementary; 24-year district veteran.
“We will treat them like they are our own. We will care for them. We will give them all of the love and nurturing that they need as they learn their independence.”
Reassuring parents about classroom support.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (6)
- November: Initial kindergarten informational mailings
- December/January: School visits and building tours
- January 15th: Priority enrollment deadline
- End of January: Enrollment status notifications
- April 9th (Evening): Kindergarten Orientation
- April 10th (Daytime): Kindergarten Orientation