Try to hold 2 sessions. One on the Plateau and one off at elementary schools, reserve their multipurpose rooms. The K-Transition seminar is for parents of incoming Kindergarteners (i.e. preschool parents). Hold two sessions to maximize parent attendance and further increase attendance by offering differing weeknights.
Timing: Hold at the end of April or in May after Kindergarten Roundups.
Purpose: The goal of this seminar is to help the targeted parents to be prepared for and help prepare their students and families for transitioning into Kindergarten and the public schools. The idea is to invite all the incoming Kindergartener parents throughout the school district. They can choose which date and location is best for them. They would have the opportunity to ask all non-academic questions and concerns about transitioning into kindergarten and the common issues, concerns and surprises that go with that change. Answers would be given to the best of a forum panel’s ability.
Format: The seminar is in a panel format including 4-6 current Kindergarten parents (first time preferred), school counselor (1), Kindergarten teacher (1), and a facilitator (1) to answer questions about non-academic issues. The panel would be gathered from the elementary schools surrounding the host school. The intent of the panel selection is to have representation from all the schools between the two seminars (but not at each seminar). There is a seminar outline to help guide the discussion flow with audience questions throughout the seminar. Any additional questions not covered in the outline topics can be covered at the end of the seminar. The seminar handout helps guide the audience on the topics to be covered and when to ask their questions. This is a parent’s only seminar with no children and no childcare provided to allow a safe place for adults to talk about this emotional transition.
Publicity: The seminars should be publicized through flyers handed out at individual elementary School Kindergarten-round-up/registrations in Feb-April. Attempts should be made to get a flyer out to as many of the preschools in the ISD to invite their parents to the seminars. See details under advertisement below.
Logistics:
Council Parent Ed Chair and Elementary Parent Ed Reps coordinate the following
Scheduling Dates/Locations: Host Parent Ed Rep coordinates following
Dates: April (late)-May (after Kindergarten Round-ups) Time: 7-8:30 pm (set up 6pm clean up 9:30pm) Locations: Choose two locations (one on and one off plateau)
To Schedule the multi purpose rooms check with school secretary and schedule with ISD Facilities dept.Set-up: 100 chairs set up in rows facing stage with additional 100-200 chairs left on the stackers in the room Table: one table at room entrance for sign-in sheets, survey and handouts. Equipment: Request 2-3 microphones. Clean up: Ask audience for help stacking chairs.
Advertisement/ Flyers – IMPORTANT have the flyer to schools staff and PTSAs prior to Round-ups
Creation-Council Parent Ed Chair coordinates with host school P. ED Reps
Create one flyer that lists all locations & dates of the seminarDistribution of Flyers
- Council Parent Ed Chair email distributes to all Elementary schools principals, PTSA Presidents, Parent Ed Reps, council, and ISD Communications dept.
- ISD Elementary School and/or PTSA print flyer and delivers/explains to Roundup/Registration teams prior to round-up
- Ask all PTSA members to ask their local Preschool’s to announce
- Ask Issaquah Press to include in school listings.
Panel: Finding and scheduling people to be on the forum panel
Council Parent Ed Chair emails a request for names/phone/email for suggested panelist to PTSA Parent Ed Chair and PTSA Presidents and principal.
Host School’s Parent Ed rep follows up on the panel leads to secure panel and sends information to Council Parent Ed Chair
Current Kindergarten Parents (4-6) from various schools- at least 1 dad
- School Counselor-
- School Teacher-
- Facilitator-
Cost: These costs are covered by PTSA Council Parent Ed Budget
Total Cost Estimate $85-200 Facilities $0 Panel- Parents-token thank you gifts ($2-3 each) $15 Counselor and teacher- Gift certificate for $20 each $40 Facilitator: varies year to year from $0-$200 ? Seminar Handout: 100-200 copies of 3 page H/O $30 Flyers: none each school/PTSA prints for their school $0 Coffee/cookies – do not recommend offering historically the audience does not use so waste funds and volunteer time. $0
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Last Updated October 1, 2006.