Personalized books give kindergarten students head start
Published: May 24, 2009
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share thisWhere are the bathrooms? Where do I eat lunch? What will my teacher look like?
These are questions on the minds of many students who will enter kindergarten this fall. Five area school districts are trying to ease students' concerns with personalized books that introduce students to their teachers and schools.
The "What do you wonder about kindergarten?" book, produced by the United Way of Lackawanna County's Success by 6 program, features color photographs of classrooms, the playground and even the cafeteria staff.
Students and parents receive the 20-page books at kindergarten registrations and open houses.
"It takes the mystery out of what's inside the doors," said Dunmore Elementary Center Principal Matthew Quinn. "We had an outstanding response to it."
After students and parents loved the books distributed by the Old Forge and Carbondale Area school districts last year, United Way expanded the program to Dunmore, Riverside and Valley View for this year. A book for John Adams Elementary School in Scranton is also being produced.
"It takes the scariness out of going to school," said Elaine Errico, coordinator of the Success by 6 program, adding that at Old Forge last year, one student took her book to school every day for three months so she could recognize school staff, such as the nurse.
Mr. Quinn, a former kindergarten teacher, said parents have been especially appreciative of the book, which also includes information on what students should know and be able to do before fall.
Funding for the books was provided by grants through the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the PNC Financial Services Group's Grow Up Great program.
"We're looking forward to hopefully continuing this in the future," Ms. Errico said.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com
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