Schools Begin Campaign for Young Children

Tonight's preschool fair at the kicks off the campaign season for schools looking to gain enrollment by attracting the youngest of students. 

The fair, which doubled attendance in its second year, will have representatives from 22 area preschools, said Kathleen Gallagher, youth services programming coordinator for the library. The free event is intended to allow parents to ask questions and learn more about the many options they have for their child's early education experience. 

Children are welcome. The fair is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the basement of the Woods Branch, at the corner of Mack Avenue and Vernier Road.

The library also completes an annual preschool guide, which was a catalyst for the live event, Gallagher said. The fair is a service to the many families in the area and it provides one location where parents can get information, she said. 

The guide gives parents a student-to-teacher ratio and attendance fees for most of the schools as well as some of the schools' educational goals.

Last year, about 150 people attended and Gallagher is hopeful this year's event will be just as successful. This is the third time the library has hosted such an event that  allows parents to have immediate answers when they are trying to compare options, she said. 

It's the first step in choosing a preschool, Gallagher said. Parents can use the event to narrow their choices and then schedule specific appointments at those they like. 

will hold kindergarten informational sessions Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at every elementary school in the district for parents of future students. 

District spokeswoman Rebecca Fannon said parents are encouraged to attend to ask questions to help them make the best decision for their child. Kindergarten is not required by the state of Michigan but the district offers full-day kindergarten in every elementary school and two locations have half-day classrooms, Fannon said.

The district saw a great push in enrollment last year by way of 450 kindergartners, she said, noting it was the first year the district offered such curriculum classrooms at no cost. 

This open-house format for parents often gives the district a rough estimate about enrollment but certainly doesn't provide hard, final statistics, Fannon said. Parents are encouraged to attend the sessions without their children, Fannon said, explaining that open houses will be held later in the year for future students to come meet teachers and explore the school buildings.

Projections are difficult to make with any of the grades, but the kindergarten population is the most difficult, Fannon said. The district is hopeful enrollment will keep pace with where it's been but only time will tell, she said.

The true purpose is to inform parents about what the schools offer and allow parents to evaluate the needs of their children as well as their ability to begin kindergarten. There are no educational requirements to enter kindergarten and all students are accepted, Fannon said. 

"We want to help parents to make the right decision for their child in an informed way," Fannon said, noting that if a parent decides their child isn't ready for kindergarten then that is OK with the district. 

A formal video and informational session will be presented to parents with a question-and-answer format to follow. Parents will be given enrollment paperwork if they choose and all their questions will be answered, Fannon said. 

Anyone interested in enrolling their child for the 2011-12 school year can do so by calling the enrollment office at 432-3083.

Another option intended to help parents readying to send their children to kindergarten is a panel presentation put on by The Family Center. The presentation, Kindergarten: Part 2 Making a Successful Transition into Kindergarten, will be followed up by a question and answer session. 

Each presenter has a different background specializing in children and their early development. Four categories of development will be discussed, including academic and cognitive skills, social, emotional and behavioral readiness, communication and language skills and fine and gross motor skills. 

Parents must register for the event, which is from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1.  To register visit the Family Center web site. A $5 admission will be paid at the door.