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Hilltop kindergartners get a sneak peek
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Cathy Mowry, Hilltop Elementary School principal, took new kindergartners on a tour of the school, including the kindergarten classrooms, during the school’s Kindergarten Big School Visit Aug. 9.
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Cathy Mowry, Hilltop Elementary School principal, offered new kindergartners doughnuts during the school’s Kindergarten Big School Visit Aug. 9.
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New kindergartners practiced lining up at the door after they visited one of the kindergarten classrooms during Hilltop Elementary School’s Kindergarten Big School Visit Aug. 9.
By ABBY SLANKER
It was a big week for children entering kindergarten this fall at Hilltop Elementary School as they participated in Kindergarten Big School Visits Aug. 8 and 9.
The visits consisted of an informational session and then a tour of the classrooms the kindergartners will call home. The visits also provided the students an opportunity to ask questions and make friends.
Cathy Mowry, principal of Hilltop Elementary School and Big School Visit hostess, welcomed the students and their parents to the school and gathered them in the library.
“I have the best job in the world. Kids come visit me in my office all the time,” Mowry said.
To break the ice, Mowry had each kindergartner introduce themselves and tell one thing they like to do.
“It is very nice to meet everyone and you are all going to love coming to kindergarten at Hilltop Elementary School,” Mowry said.
Mowry covered school routines and procedures, the curriculum, school expectations and how to get involved and the Red Carpet Reading Program. Handouts were also available explaining the attendance policy, the dress code and the school district’s calendar.
After a question-and-answer session from parents and students, Mowry offered all the kindergartners a doughnut and asked them to sit on their favorite letter on the alphabet rug. As the children ate their snack, Mowry answered any other questions they had about kindergarten.
She then took the group on a tour of the school. In order to help the students know which rooms they will be utilizing in the fall, the tour followed multi-colored footprints on the floor of the hallways.
The footprints led to the library, both kindergarten classrooms, the gymnasium/multi-purpose room, the music room and the computer lab.
“Little feet go lots of places,” Mowry said.
In the classrooms, they explored the playhouses they will play in this fall. In the gymnasium/multi-purpose room, Mowry asked the students to try out the gym. She led the children in running, tip toeing, galloping, hopping and then hopping on one foot, while the children laughed.
Parents were invited to follow along on the tour and the students were eager to assure them they are ready for kindergarten.