District 13 gets kids ready for kindergarten

Incoming kindergarten students in District 13 have for the first time this summer a readiness program that focuses on skills they’ll need when they start school in September.

Twenty-six students participated in the three-week program, taking part in activities led by a kindergarten teacher, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and an aide, for three hours per day. In one activity, students would hear a story and then answer questions using the SmartBoard, a way of enhancing their listening skills and becoming familiar with common classroom technology.

Lisa Sells-Asch, the district’s assistant superintendent for special services, said that she and the teachers saw growth in the students over the program’s course. “Kindergartners come in at all different levels,” she said. “We’ve been able to introduce students to concepts they may not have been familiar with, and expand on the skills that the children already possess.”

The program took place in a kindergarten classroom, which enabled students to familiarize themselves with their new environment and experience daily routines such as unpacking backpacks, following instructions, completing tasks and learning socialization skills.