Tuesday, Big Lake held its Kindergarten Registration Day. Future kindergarteners and their families were able to come and tour the school, meet the Big Lake mascot, Buzz the Hornet, eat a meal in the cafeteria, and hear a presentation on getting ready for kindergarten by Principal Caryl Gordy. 

Gordy noted that is was amazing to see so many students who attended preschool classes growing up and getting ready to enroll as kindergarteners. 

Two years ago, registration was held online due to COVID-19, but now the four and five year olds were able to come tour the school and meet some of the school staff like before COVID-19. 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Principal Gordy shared a presentation with the future kindergarteners and their parents about preparing the students for school. She said that student creativity and imagination were highly valued at Liberty Elementary school, and the students would be encouraged to explore lots of new ideas throughout the learning day. 

To prepare students for school, Gordy suggested that parents:

• Start setting a consistent bedtime in August, if they don’t already;

• Encourage their students to be independent and problem solve on their own, helping them find a solution rather than just fixing problems with them (such as disagreements with friends or siblings);

• Help their students navigate feeling sad or angry while keeping their emotions regulated.

Gordy noted that social-emotional learning was big in kindergarten. Students at that age have an underdeveloped frontal lobe, which helps regulate their emotions, and so it is a steep learning curve for kids at that point in their lives. She said it helps when parents and other trusted adults point out to the student how they are improving, and making a note of how well they are doing compared to in the past. 

Gordy finished by saying the earlier the students were enrolled, the better, and encouraged families not to wait. She noted teacher assignments and bus routes would be sent out in August, and student supply lists would be available online this spring.