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Austintown kindergartners begin school year
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Lynn Kirk Elementary school teacher, Karen Schnurrenberger, who will retire after 30 years this year was excited to meet her last kindergarten class.
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Lloyd Elementary School kindergarten teacher, Stephanie Cuddy, taught her students the importance of behaving well during their first week of school Aug. 21-24.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Lynn Kirk Elementary School Teacher, Andrea Fabrizio, was excited to start off a new year with new kindergarten students Aug. 21-24.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell .Lloyd Elementary school teacher, Robyn Speece, sang songs with her class during their first week of kindergarten Aug. 21-24.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Kindergarten students from all over Austintown crowded the school hallways during the first week of school Aug. 21-24.
“The first days of school are always exciting, but within a few days they get the procedures and we see them get a little bit more confident. This week, they’re getting to know each other and they’re excited about meeting new friends,” said Lynn Kirk Elementary School teacher Karen Schnurrenberger.
Kindergarten students were split up throughout the week in an attempt to help teachers better assess their literacy skills, as well as help students get one-on-one experience with their teachers. Kindergarten students spent the entire day together on Aug. 23.
“The point of having a staggered start allows teachers to get an assessment of Kindergarten Reading and Literacy (KRAL) and it allows us a little bit of data of their skill set. It also gives teachers an opportunity to teach students the procedures of the school. We’ve been doing this for a year and we’ve noticed tremendous growth and we’re expecting that to continue,” said Lloyd Principal Thomas Lenton.
Teachers started their classes with a variety of activities from singing songs introducing colors and shapes to practicing the proper behavior in school. According to Lenton, this first week for kindergarten students is also an opportunity for teachers to enhance academic and social skills with their children.
The week was not only a special event for students, but was also a milestone for Schnurrenberger, who will be retiring after 30 years of teaching. Meeting students of the last class she will teach was a memorable experience.
“I’m so excited about it. This is going to be a special class for me,” said Schnurrenberger.