[0:00] - [Narrator] Welcome to elementary school

[0:01] with SoWashCo Schools.

[0:05] School is an amazing adventure,

[0:06] where you can learn new

things and make new friends.

[0:09] Beginning kindergarten

is a very exciting time.

[0:13] You might feel a little

nervous starting a new school,

[0:16] but, your teachers and all the

school staff are here to help

[0:20] and are so happy to have

you join us at school.

[0:23] - Kindergarten is not scary.

- Kindergarten is not scary.

[0:25] - Really I like to do

everything in school.

[0:28] - As child starts kindergarten,

[0:30] first, I would say goal is

to let parents be confident

[0:33] that your children are in great hands.

[0:36] This is what we do, we do it well,

[0:38] and we are looking to partner with you

[0:40] as we educate your children.

[0:42] - Those beginnings in kindergarten

[0:44] just kinda open up a whole new world.

[0:46] No matter what you teach them at home,

[0:47] when they find something on their own

[0:50] and are excited about it,

[0:51] I think that's amazing as a parent.

[0:54] - [Narrator] To help you plan for

[0:55] and prepare to enter elementary school,

[0:57] we want to show you an average

day of a kindergartner.

[1:01] School staff will help

you get into school,

[1:03] whether you ride the bus or

are dropped off by your family

[1:06] or family friend.

[1:08] - My favorite thing is to go on the bus.

[1:10] - [Narrator] You can choose

to go to the cafeteria

[1:13] to eat breakfast, or sit with your friends

[1:15] until it's time for class.

[1:16] Once you get to your classroom,

[1:18] you'll begin with a morning

meeting with your class

[1:20] where your teacher will talk to you

[1:22] about what you will learn today.

[1:24] Your classroom teacher will

teach reading, writing,

[1:26] math, and science lessons

throughout the day.

[1:31] Read alouds are one of

the literacy activities

[1:33] students will participate in

[1:35] that help develop critical thinking,

[1:37] listening, and the ability

to communicate effectively.

[1:40] - I love it.

- I love learning how to read.

[1:42] - [Narrator] Movement breaks help students

[1:44] focus your bodies and minds

in a fun, interactive way.

[1:48] - What I enjoyed most about my

child's kindergarten program

[1:51] was the teachers that they had,

[1:54] the friendships that they made,

[1:55] the teams that they played on.

[1:57] - I think the thing that

brings me the most joy

[2:01] is when kids realize

what they are capable of,

[2:04] and it's kind of this realization

[2:07] that you can see on their faces.

[2:08] And all of a sudden they

realize, wow, I did that.

[2:13] And just, a change in what

their body looks like,

[2:16] and a change in their face,

[2:19] and their willingness to take chances,

[2:22] and their willingness to

take risks and try things,

[2:25] because they realized, you know,

[2:27] wow, I am capable of so much

more than even I thought.

[2:31] And it sort of ignites that

spark to keep learning.

[2:35] - [Narrator] Before you know

it, it's time for lunch.

[2:37] The staff in the lunchroom will show you

[2:39] how to go through the lunch line.

[2:42] Every day, you'll visit a specials class

[2:45] taught by a specialist

teacher in a different room.

[2:48] These classes include,

physical education, or gym,

[2:52] where students build motor skills,

[2:54] heart and muscle strength.

[2:55] Music class, where students

learn the foundations of music.

[2:59] Art, where students are

encouraged to be creative

[3:02] and learn new techniques.

[3:04] And library media, where

students immerse themselves

[3:07] in books, digital resources,

[3:09] and interactive technologies,

nurturing literacy,

[3:13] digital proficiency, and citizenship.

[3:15] - Before long, you know students,

[3:18] they have a comfort in the learning space,

[3:20] they are comfortable with one another,

[3:21] and they have a trust in their teacher,

[3:23] and then, things just begin

to really take off from there.

[3:27] - [Narrator] Math lessons provide students

[3:28] with interactive activities to

build essential life skills,

[3:31] such as problem solving,

analysis, and spatial skills.

[3:35] Every day, students

will have a choice time,

[3:38] or free play time, with

your friends in your class.

[3:41] Students build collaboration

skills through play,

[3:44] and which promotes social,

emotional growth, and wellbeing.

[3:47] At the end of the day,

[3:49] it's time to pack up and

get ready for the ride home.

[3:52] Teachers will help students line up

[3:54] for either their bus or car ride home.

[3:57] We had a great day today,

[3:59] we can't wait to see you next school year.

[4:02] - Welcome to kindergarten.

- Welcome to kindergarten.

[4:04] - Welcome to kindergarten.

- Welcome to kindergarten.

[4:07] - Welcome to kindergarten!

- Welcome to kindergarten!