Holiday program fun for pre-K and kinder students

Santa and Mrs. Claus were in Arlington last week.

They dropped in to visit pre-K and kindergarten at Burgin and Blanton elementary schools as part of a fun holiday program put on by 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department.

Don鈥檛 tell anyone, but Santa was really Ken Foster, 91制片厂 early childhood instructional specialist. And Mrs. Claus was Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood coordinator.

But the Claus鈥檚 were very convincing to the 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds who went a little wild with excitement when they walked in at the end of the program.

The program was full of fun, with elves, Frosty the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man and a dancing Christmas tree (all played by members of the district鈥檚 early childhood department) sharing a story and leading everyone in singing and dancing.

The story, 鈥�,鈥� read to the students by two elves, offered a good lesson for the little learners.

Bitty the Elf was small but learned that he could still help out and do important things.

鈥淣o matter how tall or short you are, you can always be a good helper,鈥� one elf 鈥� usually known as Dr. Jackeline Orsini, director of early childhood learning 鈥� told the students. 鈥淜ids like you can always be a good helper.鈥�

Spring pre-K at Kooken enrolling now

Fun is always a big part of pre-K in 91制片厂, and it鈥檚 never too late to get your child into one of our premier pre-K programs. In fact, Kooken Early Childhood Center is enrolling for the spring semester now. Classes start Jan. 8, and you can register online now here.

If you have any pre-k questions, contact the early childhood learning team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Sign up for pre-K 3 at Kooken

If you think your 3-year-old is ready to start their educational journey, Kooken Early Education Center may be the perfect place for them.

Still unsure? Maybe Santa can help sway you.

Santa will visit Kooken on Wednesday, Dec. 11, for a holiday-themed event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The evening will include hot cocoa and cookies with Santa, family photo opportunities, a book fair, door prizes and more. You can register to attend the event !

Parents who register their child for classes starting Jan. 8 will receive a Kooken Koala drawstring backpack filled with school supplies to help their student get ready for the new semester. Pre-K 3 is also free for families who qualify.

About Kooken Early Education Center

• Kooken offers flexible half-day schedules: morning classes run from 8:10 to 11:20 a.m., and afternoon classes run from 12:25 to 3:35 p.m.
• Lunch is provided for afternoon students.
• Afternoon classes are smaller, allowing for individualized attention.
• Parent workshops are available to help families support their child鈥檚 educational journey.

The Dec. 11 event will give families the opportunity to tour classrooms, meet teachers and staff, and ask questions about the pre-K 3 program. Kooken helps prepare students for full-day pre-K in the 2025-26 school year.

If you want to go ahead and sign up for pre-K 3 or learn more about pre-K 3 in the 91制片厂, you can do that here.

Get Out and P.L.A.Y. event sponsored by Texas Trust听

Learning starts well before pre-K. That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 equips toddlers鈥� first teachers 鈥� their parents 鈥� with resources and ideas.听

In fact, that鈥檚 exactly what 91制片厂鈥檚 family and community engagement department鈥檚 Get Out and P.L.A.Y. events听aim to do. Last week, over 40 families gathered at Veterans Park for a fun outdoor session led by the district鈥檚 Toddler Time teachers, where parents and children, from birth to school age, connected and played outside.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about being outdoors,鈥� said toddler time teacher Vanessa Valadez. 鈥淲e realize how beneficial it is for kids now. They often don鈥檛 get a lot of outdoor time because they have a lot of screen time.鈥�听

Funded by the , families also received an outdoor play bag filled with jump ropes, bubbles, soccer balls, blankets and other outdoor play equipment.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool to me,鈥� said toddler parent Jaylen Miles. 鈥淭hey provide books, backpacks and stuff for our kids to play with. It鈥檚 so awesome.鈥�听

But the Get Out and P.L.A.Y. (Parents and toddlers听Learning听At home, whY?) program offers more than just outdoor goodies 鈥� it鈥檚 about building community.听

鈥淚 was looking to make more mom friends and I wanted my daughter to make friends, too,鈥� Miles said. 鈥淎s a single mother, it helps me navigate toddlerhood.鈥�听

For Valadez, the program empowers parents as their child鈥檚 first teachers.

鈥淲e let parents know that everyone here is doing life at the same time,鈥� Valadez said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to find support through people who understand and are going through the same things we are. We鈥檙e so appreciative of those who come out to play with us. We really do feel like we鈥檙e not only impacting the child but also the home.鈥�听

With endless opportunities for little ones in 91制片厂, it鈥檚 never too early to start thinking about your child鈥檚 future.听听

听鈥淎s a mom who鈥檚 new to the area, we鈥檝e already learned so much with this program,鈥� Miles said. 鈥淥nce my daughter turns three, she鈥檚 definitely joining the pre-K 3 program.鈥�听

Learn more about early childhood parent and family support here.听

Kids dress as superheroes for STEMtacular

The 2024 STEMtacular lived up to its name. It was specular fun again for pre-K kids and kindergarteners.

The superhero-themed, STEM-infused event moved to Thornton Elementary this year and included tons of fun STEM activities, live animals and superhero training. It also welcomed more than double the number of superheroes 鈥� aka pre-K and kindergarten students 鈥� who attended last year.

The fun was strategic 鈥� designed to inspire imagination, curiosity, questions and learning.

When students arrived, they received a superhero notepad and pencil to use as they explored the different activities.

鈥淪ome of the kids were very diligent about taking 鈥榥otes鈥� as they observed the interactive animal display or made predictions about which items would sink or float,鈥� said Wonder Woman 鈥� aka Lilly Hamner, 91制片厂 early childhood learning coordinator of operations.

There were plenty of opportunities for the kids to take notes. In addition to the STEM activities inside, kids participated in the Superhero Training Camp outside. And Professor Foster 鈥� aka Ken Foster, 91制片厂 early childhood instructional specialist 鈥� told the story of Sammy the Super Squirrel and explored the power of force as Sammy encountered different animals who helped him push or pull objects to move things.

鈥淭he combination of storytelling and this simple science experiment helped students understand the basic concept of forces in a playful and interactive way,鈥� Hamner said. 鈥淚t also encouraged them to engage in hands-on learning and explore the physical world around them as they experimented with different types of ramps and objects.鈥�

Hands-on learning was exactly the point. So, while the event was a great opportunity to wear a costume and do some fun things, there was a bigger picture.

鈥淔rom a curricular perspective, the Stemtacular event aligns with the developmental milestones of pre-K students by fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills,鈥� said Dr. Hildelisa D铆az,听91制片厂 early childhood coordinator. 鈥淎ctivities designed for young children promote inquiry-based learning, allowing them to ask questions, make predictions and test their ideas in a supportive environment. This approach not only enriches the curriculum but also encourages curiosity, a fundamental aspect of early learning.鈥�

D铆az鈥檚 description for STEMtacular also describes 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program. It鈥檚 all about fun, strategic hands-on learning that gets little learners ready and excited for their academic journey.

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old not in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K, it鈥檚 not too late. You can still enroll your child. Register today or contact the early childhood learning team with any questions you have at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

STEMtacular 2024 is free for the family!

It鈥檚 back! The Pre-K and Kindergarten STEMtacular returns for its second year on Oct. 17.

While STEMtacular may not be a real word yet, the now-annual superhero-themed, STEM-infused event sure is. And it鈥檚 exactly what the name says. It鈥檚 STEMtacular! And it鈥檚 free! So, get your little learners 鈥� and your whole family 鈥� dress up as superheroes and come out to Thornton Elementary on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

There鈥檚 fun for everyone at the STEMtacular with all kinds of activities, including:

• Various hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities
• Animal Superheroes 鈥� visit with a superhero animal and learn rare biofacts
• Superhero Training Camp
• Superhero Yoga
• Fun Fine Motor Skills practice

鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to have this opportunity to show how STEM impacts so many things,鈥� said 91制片厂 early childhood director Dr. Jackeline Orsini. 鈥淲e wanted to have something for everyone, and we think our STEMtacular does just that. It will be fun for the entire family.鈥�

Sign up for the STEMtacular today .

Help your pre-k or kindergarten child have a great year

Attention pre-K and kindergarten parents!

This event is for you. 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department wants to help you and your child have an exceptional pre-K and kindergarten experience.

Now that school has started, you probably have a lot of questions. Surf's Up on Sept. 7 will provide families with lots of information, best practices and training related to helping your child have a successful year at school听and听at home. We'll offer a number of helpful sessions plus the opportunity to meet and get to know other parents.

See the schedule and sessions below and !

Sessions begin at 9 a.m., and they will all be taught by an early childhood learning expert in the 91制片厂. Childcare will be provided for children ages three and up.

SURF'S UP SCHEDULE

• 8:30 - 9 a.m. 鈥� Event sign-in and light breakfast snacks
• 9 - 11:30 a.m. 鈥� Rotate between 30-minute sessions
• 11:30 a.m. 鈥� noon 鈥� Parent networking/social and raffle

听SURF'S UP SESSIONS

• The ABCs of Kindergarten: What You Need to Know for a Successful Year
• The ABCs of Pre-K: What You Need to Know for a Successful Year
• Helping Your Child Become Potty Trained
• Getting to Know Developmental Milestones
• Big Feelings, Little Kids: A Parent's Guide to Emotional Support
• Surfing Into Routines

听SURF'S UP LOCATION

91制片厂 Professional Development Center
1111 West Arbrook Boulevard Arlington, TX 76015

for Surf鈥檚 Up.

Pre-K and kinder teachers ready for a great year

91制片厂 is very serious about its fun pre-K and kindergarten.

The new school year started for thousands of 3-,4- and 5-year-olds in 91制片厂 last week. But not for their teachers. The teachers have been preparing for this year for much longer.

鈥淲e are very serious when it comes to helping our teachers prepare for the school year,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淲e know that if we prepare and equip them with the right tools, our teachers will have a successful year and ensure our littlest learners receive the highest-quality instruction.鈥�

That鈥檚 why professional learning for the district鈥檚 pre-K and kindergarten teachers is year-round.

鈥淧reparing teachers is a job that starts as soon as the previous year ends,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淭hroughout the whole summer, we have been delivering hundreds of professional learning hours to help teachers get prepared for the new year.鈥�

And that鈥檚 also why the district鈥檚 pre-K and kindergarten teachers and teacher assistants all gathered earlier this month before school ever started for teacher training.

鈥淭he districtwide event is like the cherry on top,鈥� Orsini said.

Many of the topics covered at the districtwide meetings were what you might expect. Topics like the program鈥檚 main goals, vision, critical components of the curriculum, early literacy and math and teaching social and emotional skills.

But this teacher training for pre-K and kindergarten teachers looked and sounded a little different than trainings for teachers of older grades. The energy was palpable 鈥� the same kind of energy that pre-K and kindergarten teachers bring to their classrooms every day. There was dancing, clapping and a whole lot of fun. Plus the teachers were dressed in bright colors to go along with the theme.

The theme for the three days of training was the movie 鈥�.鈥� Orsini said they picked that theme because the movie represents what pre-K and kindergarten teachers are like.

鈥淥ur early childhood teachers are bold, vibrant, full of energy, fun, and they鈥檙e just a rainbow of talents,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey can sing, dance, act, draw, read, teach writing and integrate math and science all in the same lesson.鈥�

While the teachers had fun at the training, the fun was purposeful. It was all about strategically preparing and inspiring teachers for the year to come.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all going to sing the same song, which is about making students feel welcome, making families feel part of the educational journey of their kids, providing high-quality instruction in everything we do, making sure we understand the needs of every single student and doing everything possible to meet those needs.鈥�

Orsini was also intentional about including teacher assistants at the training.

鈥淲e recognize that our teacher assistants are fundamental in everything we do, and we value them,鈥� she said.

By the time the three days were over, everyone was prepared for a great year.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of my teachers and my team,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淚 think that 91制片厂 has the best early childhood program because we take very seriously how we prepare our teachers with research-based information, tools and support they need. I know that what we deliver is high-quality.鈥�

You can still register

Even though school started last week, it's not too late to get your child into 91制片厂's pre-K and kindergarten. You can start the registration process online here. And if you have any questions about pre-K or kindergarten, feel free to reach out to the early childhood learning team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Aug. 14 is the first day

One week.

That鈥檚 all that is left until the first day of school 鈥� Wednesday, Aug. 14. And there鈥檚 no bigger day than the first day of pre-K or kindergarten.

So now is the time to make sure your little learner is ready. Here are five tips to help you and your child get ready for the first day.

1) Early to bed

Starting school for the first time is a big adjustment for you and your child, but building routines at home will help you and your child feel more comfortable starting the school year.

One of the most important routines to establish is 鈥渆arly to bed鈥� and 鈥渟chool wake-up time.鈥� If you haven鈥檛 started this already, start now so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule. Making sure your child gets enough sleep is crucial.

2) Prep the day before听

Make sure you鈥檙e all ready to go to school the night before. You don鈥檛 want to have to scramble to get everything ready in the morning when you鈥檙e trying to get out the door. So, have the backpack ready, clothes picked out and breakfast planned the night before. The more prepared you can be the better.

3) Make it fun

Make the first day like it鈥檚 an occasion 鈥� because it is. Show your child that this is a big and exciting thing. Be ready to take photos and make that 鈥渇irst day of school鈥� picture sign. If you post the photos online, be sure to use the hashtag听#ArlingtonISDWelcomesMe. We鈥檇 love to feature your child, too.

4) Read books about going to school

Help your child know what to expect by reading books about the first day of school. There are lots of them, and the library is sure to have some.

鈥淭here are plenty of books about first days at school,鈥� said Ken Foster, an early childhood learning specialist for 91制片厂. 鈥淢y favorite is Eric Litwin鈥檚 鈥楶ete the Cat: Rockin鈥� in my School Shoes.鈥欌��

5) Drive by the school and go to Meet-the-Teacher

Find time to drive by the school and point it out to your child. Be excited and let your child know that this is an exciting place where they will make new friends and learn so many fun things.

And be sure to go to the Meet-the-Teacher event at your child鈥檚 school. If you don鈥檛 know when it is, check your school鈥檚 webpage or give them a call. This will be a great chance for you and your child to see the building and classroom and meet the teacher.

Are you registered?

If you haven鈥檛 registered your child for pre-K or kindergarten yet, it鈥檚 not too late. But don鈥檛 wait because school starts in one week! Start the registration process online听here.

Have a great first day!

Pre-K a big deal in 91制片厂

Pre-K is a big deal in 91制片厂. And for good reason.

But it鈥檚 not just because 91制片厂 is one of the only districts in Texas that offers free pre-K for all 4-year-olds. Or that it may be the only district in the country that has a STEM-infused curriculum for pre-K 4.

The reason is that pre-K is so critically important for little learners.

It gets children ready to learn, teaches important social and emotional skills and fosters the development of verbal skills and self-control. Pre-K students get a jump-start on reading and are usually ahead of their peers who wait until kindergarten to start school.

鈥淩esearch demonstrates that high-quality preschool education can substantially increase children鈥檚 chances of succeeding in school and in life,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淚t helps build a strong foundation for kindergarten and sets them up for greater success in many areas of life.鈥�

That鈥檚 exactly what 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K programs are designed to do. They inspire creativity and exploration in three- and four-year-olds and prepare them not only for kindergarten, but for their entire educational journey.

Here are just a few of the reasons why pre-K is so important for every child.

1) INSPIRES LEARNING

Pre-K provides opportunities for children to learn in ways that interest them. 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K programs promote curiosity, creativity and exploration. Children are encouraged to make decisions, ask questions, think and solve through purposeful play.

鈥淲e help pre-K students build a strong literacy foundation and excitement to continue learning,鈥� Orsini said.听鈥淥ur early childhood teachers make learning fun by integrating a variety of games and activities, music, physical movement, arts, read-aloud stories, technology and dramatic play.鈥�

Plus, 91制片厂's pre-K 4 curriculum is now on another level with the incorporation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). STEM in pre-K is all about hands-on discovery. It鈥檚 messy fun that brings learning to life. It鈥檚 about exploring and trying new things. It sparks questions and curiosity and gives kids the chance to pursue that curiosity and find answers to their questions.

听2) SUPPORTS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K helps children learn how to take turns, listen to others without interrupting, follow directions and express their emotions appropriately. Teachers often teach students songs that help them convey what and how they are feeling.

鈥淧re-K sets the foundation for children to learn how to communicate what they are feeling and how to cope with it,鈥� said Mary Eldredge, the librarian at Kooken Educational Center, 91制片厂鈥檚 all-pre-K campus.

Pre-K also helps children learn how to take care of themselves. They learn how to wash their hands, eat by themselves and even keep their personal belongings organized. They learn how to be responsible while also being respectful of others.

听3) CREATES COMMUNITY

Community is crucial for early development. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to create activities where children learn while interacting with their peers. Examples include asking students to work together to set the table for snack time or to gather materials for an upcoming activity.

In this environment, children learn to problem solve, work together and communicate with each other. They learn how to collaborate with their peers and become a member of a small community.

鈥淚t is our role as educators to build a strong foundation for the growth of our children and equip them with the skills to be kind and compassionate people,鈥� said Kim Higbee, a pre-K teacher at Little Elementary.听

听4) KINDERGARTEN READY

Pre-K graduates are 鈥渒indergarten ready,鈥� equipped to start their educational journey on the right foot. Studies show that children who attend pre-K are 54% more prepared for kindergarten than students who did not.

Pre-K students practice colors, shapes, letters, sounds, numbers and counting, all foundational skills for kindergarten.

Children also develop physical coordination and fine motor skills in pre-K. They get many opportunities to work on control of their fingers through art, hands-on- activities and many fun projects.

So, when kindergarten comes, they are ready!

5) LONG-TERM BENEFITS

Pre-K doesn鈥檛 just get kids ready for kindergarten. It sets them up to be successful throughout their academic careers and beyond.

Studies show that students who attend pre-K are three times more likely to be proficient readers by third grade, which is essential in determining long-term success in school.

鈥淧re-K students have increased vocabulary, literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They are more likely to be high school graduates and earn higher wages in the workforce,鈥� said Nadia Azari, 91制片厂 early childhood instructional specialist and a former pre-K teacher.

Ninety percent of a child鈥檚 brain is developed by the time they reach six years old, according to the听. So, this is the time. Giving 3- and 4-year-olds rich, fun learning opportunities stimulates their developing brains and builds their mental foundation for their entire future.

鈥淣ow we know that stimulating brain growth long before kindergarten can have a massive impact on her future education, her future earnings, and even her future health,鈥� wrote Matthew Hansen of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

REGISTER NOW

The first day of pre-K is now only two weeks away, but it's not too late to register. Sign up now for 91制片厂's best-in-class pre-K. Learn more and register here.

4th annual Pre-K Palooza

Taking the first step in your child鈥檚 education journey isn鈥檛 always easy. 听

That鈥檚 why 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood department is here to make it an exciting and smooth adventure for you and your little one.听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听

Thanks to the fourth annual Pre-K Palooza, the pre-K community came together to ring in registration for the 2024-25 school year. 听

鈥淭his is an opportunity for families to get all the information that they need to ensure a successful beginning of the year,鈥� said early childhood director Jackeline听Orsini.听

With in-person registration assistance and resources from over 10 community partners, families did just that Tuesday at the event at Adams Elementary.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see how excited families are knowing that they鈥檙e enrolling their kids in a school district that takes education seriously,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淪eeing the smiles of the kids and the joy of parents when they see that 91制片厂 is a place where you feel welcome is my favorite part.鈥�听

Feeling confident by听building connections is what Pre-K Palooza is all about. Families had the opportunity to engage one-on-one with department leadership, teachers, school clerks, other 91制片厂 parents, students and even the pre-K mascot Sparky.听

That鈥檚 made all the difference for first-year pre-K parent Skylar Sutton. 听

鈥淒oing hands-on registration has been so helpful in getting a perspective beyond just being behind a computer,鈥� she said. 鈥淐oming to Pre-K Palooza has been a wonderful opportunity to mix and intermingle with everybody. This is our first year registering for school. For the kids to see and experience the school vibe, it鈥檚 been awesome and we鈥檙e having so much fun.鈥�听

From free backpacks and school supplies for the first 30 who registered for school to free tickets to the for ALL families who registered, the event was also packed with perks! 听

鈥淪eeing how much our teachers, staff and other volunteers care for our youth gets parents excited and a little less afraid of the transition,鈥� said pre-K teacher Dana Cunningham. 听

To Cunningham, Pre-K Palooza tells a lot about the culture of pre-K in 91制片厂. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging, it鈥檚 inclusive, it's diverse, it's strong and it's like a family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love getting to be a part of it.鈥�听

And remember, 91制片厂 offers FREE pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds! So, if you did not get the chance to听attend Pre-K Palooza, you can reach out to the early education department or your home campus with any questions regarding registration. You can also register your child online here. 听听听听

Join us tomorrow, July 16, for 91制片厂鈥檚 听to register your 3- or 4-year old for pre-K or your new kindergartener and have lots of fun together! Kids will have a great time and you鈥檒l receive in-person registration assistance and resources from community partners.

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The Pre-K Palooza fun includes:

• Registration support for pre-K and kindergarten
• Free backpacks and school supplies for the first 30 who register for school
• Free tickets to a North Texas Soccer Club match for families who complete registration
• Games and raffle prizes.

Families will also receive resources from community partners, including:

• 211 Texas
• Girls inc. Of Tarrant County/ Tarrant County Kids
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
• Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
• Girls Inc. Tarrant County Kids
• Chosen Ones
• Camp Fire First Texas
• Tarrant County 9-1-1 District Administration Office
• Wellpoint
• United Way of Tarrant County
• FC Dallas / North Texas SC
• Partners Resource Network
• LoneStar Solutions
• Partners Resource Network.

REGISTRATION SUPPORT AT PRE-K PALOOZA

School clerks will be on hand to walk you through the registration process. Be sure to bring the documents you need, and we can make copies on site. Pre-K staff will also be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Documents needed to register new students include:

• Student鈥檚 original birth certificate
• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver鈥檚 license, state or international ID or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
• Current immunization record
• Student鈥檚 Social Security card
• FOR PRE-K ONLY: Each of the following documents that apply:
  鈥� Proof of Income 鈥� Last 30 days for all adults living in the household (paystub, Medicaid, disability, worker comp)
  鈥� SNAP/TANF benefits letter
  鈥� Current tax return (if self-employed)
  鈥� Proof of military service for active duty military parent(s)
  鈥� Foster care documents
  鈥� Star of Texas Award certificate or letter

Documents required for returning students include:

• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver鈥檚 license, state or international ID or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
• FOR PRE-K ONLY: Each of the following documents that apply:
  鈥� Proof of Income 鈥� Last 30 days for all adults living in the household (paystub, Medicaid, disability, worker comp)
  鈥� SNAP/TANF benefits letter
  鈥� Current tax return (if self-employed)
  鈥� Proof of military service for active duty military parent(s)
  鈥� Foster care documents
  鈥� Star of Texas Award certificate or letter

REGISTER NOW

If you can鈥檛 make it to Pre-K Palooza or just don鈥檛 want to go, that鈥檚 ok. You can register your child听online now here, or you can get in-person registration help from July 8 through July 18 at Kooken Educational Center.听Learn more.

Pre-K starts Aug. 14

Is your child going to pre-K next year? It鈥檚 not too early to start getting ready because school starts August 14. That鈥檚 only seven weeks away.

Starting pre-K is really exciting, but it can also be a little scary. It鈥檚 a big change for a 3- or 4-year-old. (It鈥檚 a big change for mom and dad, too.) So, if you can do a few things to prepare, it will help your child 鈥� and you 鈥� have as smooth of a transition as possible.

Here are few things you can do over the summer to help your child be ready for pre-K.

鈱猂ead, read and read

Read aloud to your child everyday so they develop a love of reading that will help them in school and for the rest of their lives. Children who read improve their vocabulary, reading comprehension and standardized test scores.

It鈥檚 also great to visit the library and let your child pick out books. And go to the library during a read-aloud time so your child gets used to hearing someone other than their parents read aloud in a group setting.

鈱猂ead books about going to school

鈥淭here are PLENTY of books about first days at school,鈥� said Ken Foster, an early childhood learning specialist for 91制片厂. 鈥淢y favorite is Eric Litwin鈥檚 鈥楶ete the Cat: Rockin鈥� in my School Shoes.鈥欌��

Dr. Hildelisa Diaz, the district鈥檚 early childhood coordinator, has some other book suggestions as well:

• • • 鈥淭he Kissing Hand鈥澨齜y Audrey Penn
    • 鈥淒avid Goes to School鈥澨齜y David Shannon
    • 鈥淲ill I Have a Friend?鈥澨齜y Miriam Cohen
    • 鈥淔irst Day of School鈥澨齜y Anne Rockwell

鈱狿ractice letters and numbers

Practice the ABCs and letter sounds. And count and work on numbers, basic shapes and colors.

鈱�Establish a routine

This will be especially important as we get closer to the first day of school, but it鈥檚 not too soon to start. Establish a routine of 鈥渆arly to bed鈥� and 鈥渟chool wake-up time鈥� several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.

鈱猅alk about school and what it will be like

Have regular conversations with your child about school. Foster suggests asking some questions.

鈥淚鈥檇 start by daily talking with your child about school, asking them:

Where is the school located? How will you get there?

Who else goes there?听 Do you know other friends who attend this school?

What do you do at school? Where can you play outside?听 Where do you go when you want to read lots of books?听 Where do you think you鈥檒l go to eat?

Take time to discuss each of these in detail to help them create mental pictures of school.鈥�

鈱狿ractice school

Your child will do a lot of things at school that might be new for them and even a little challenging. Things like opening their backpack, putting on their shoes, eating by themselves and a lot more.

鈥淧racticing opening lunch items, opening and closing backpacks and zipping zippers or unbuttoning buttons will build confidence and independence in your child,鈥� said Cindy Brown, 91制片厂鈥檚 special education director. 鈥淩ole playing things like saying hello to their teacher, visiting the campus, talking about what they hope they will get to do at school and sharing stories of your own early learning memories will help your son or daughter transition smoothly to their own pre-K experience.鈥�

鈱狿ractice toilet procedures

Here鈥檚 something else they need to be able to do 鈥� use the bathroom without help. Practice at home so your child will be comfortable and confident when they get to school.

REGISTER NOW

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program has an innovative, play-based curriculum designed to give your child the foundation to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Pre-K is going to be great, and your child will have lots of fun and learn a ton.

If you haven鈥檛 registered yet, now is the time. You can get started online here. Or you can register in person for any elementary school in the district at听Kooken Educational Center听(). Staff there can answer your questions and help you get registered. Plus, you can tour a model pre-K classroom. Click here for the dates that Kooken is open.

You can also register at on July 16. It鈥檒l be a free, fun-filled event with registration assistance.

And as always, feel free to contact the pre-K team with any questions you have at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Pre-K and kinder registration support June 5-27 and July 8-18

It鈥檚 time to get your little one registered for pre-K or kindergarten! School starts in just about two months on Aug. 14.

If you would like in-person help with registration or have questions about 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K, come visit us at Kooken Educational Center (). We can answer your questions and help you get registered. Plus, you can tour a model pre-K classroom.

Kooken is open for pre-K and kindergarten registration for every elementary school in the district on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon from now until June 27* and then again on July 8-18.*

Much of registration can also be completed online here. Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at鈥�aisd.net/prek鈥痑nd feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

*Kooken will be closed on June 19. And on July 16, the in-person registration support will move to Adams Elementary for Pre-K Palooza.

Join the Kooken family

It鈥檚 all about little learners at Kooken Educational Center. In fact, Kooken is the only school in the 91制片厂 dedicated exclusively to only one grade level 鈥� pre-K for 3-year-olds.听

But that鈥檚 not the only thing that makes Kooken so special.

鈥淲hat makes Kooken special is our ability to serve, make connections and design all learning experiences for our 3-year-olds and their families,鈥� said Kooken principal Elizabeth Huebner.

WHY PRE-K 3?

鈥淓arly childhood learning is crucial for building a strong foundation for students鈥� futures, both academically and socially,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淭hrough rich learning experiences, they experience valuable socialization skills and develop a strong and critical academic foundation.鈥�

Parents who enroll their children into pre-K 3 give their child a jump start on their peers.

鈥淜ids get their foundation in pre-K 3,鈥� said Staci Nelson, a special education teacher at Morton Elementary who also taught pre-K at Kooken. 鈥淭hey learn to self-regulate and learn how to be learners. When they move on to pre-K 4, they will be prepared for full-day study.鈥�

Pre-K 3 lays that foundation for a lifetime of success.

鈥淪eeing where the little ones begin in August and where they are in May is amazing,鈥� Nelson said.

The biggest reason the students experience such tremendous growth is because of the outstanding teachers and the opportunities they provide.

鈥淥ur teachers also provide such rich and bountiful opportunities extending past the classroom walls 鈥� through the STREAM Maker lab, Outdoor Classroom and pre-K yoga 鈥� while still focusing on social-emotional skills,鈥� said Stephanie Ross, Kooken鈥檚 instructional coach.

See a classroom at Kooken

Kooken is more than a school for pre-K 3. It鈥檚 one big family.

"When families walk through our doors, they are part of the Koala family, or what we like to call ourselves, the SUPER (Supportive, Unified, Positive, Engaging, and Responsible) Dream Team,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淓very faculty member assists in family engagement. Whether it is enrollment, parenting classes, family nights or learning experiences.鈥�

Join the Kooken family and register your 3-year-old for half-day pre-K at Kooken today. There are morning and afternoon options, and it is free if you qualify. If you don鈥檛 qualify for free pre-K, Kooken offers an affordable tuition-based program.

You can start the registration process online鈥�here. Or you can come to Kooken and receive registration assistance Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon from now until June 27 and July 8-18. Plus, you can take a peek at a pre-K classroom!

Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at鈥�aisd.net/prek鈥痑nd feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

Pre-K classrooms designed for little learners

Everything in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program is strategic 鈥� designed to inspire learning. That鈥檚 why every detail in pre-K classrooms was intentionally designed to launch our littlest learners on a lifelong journey of exploration and learning.

鈥淚n 91制片厂, we strive to create a magical learning experience for all of our pre-K students,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning.

PLAY

That magic starts in the classroom, which is designed to accommodate our new students and give them lots of opportunities to play. Play is how young children learn. They are innately curious, and they feed and foster that curiosity through play.

鈥淥ur pre-K curriculum allows preschool children many types of play throughout the day,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淥ur daily lesson plans allow children to participate in physical, cognitive, language and social play through structured and non-structured activities.鈥�

To promote that kind of purposeful play, each pre-K classroom鈥檚 design, furniture and toys enhance the curriculum and foster fun, creativity and exploration. Teachers help direct the play and use it to teach all kinds of lessons.

鈥淥ur classrooms are equipped with amazing early childhood resources that promote student engagement,鈥� Orsini said.听鈥淲ith thoughtfully designed lesson plans, activities, use of resources and fun learning centers, children flow from one activity to the next with a sense of purpose. They really have fun! The classroom library, block center, kids kitchen, math center, science station, book nook, dramatic play corner, sensory table, Lego wall and art center are just some of the many activities that students are invited to explore on a daily basis.鈥�

To give you an idea of what each classroom is like, here鈥檚 a little tour of some of the elements of the pre-K classroom that make a big impact in a child鈥檚 learning adventure.

TINY FURNITURE

You can鈥檛 just put pre-K students in a regular classroom. Everything is too big! So, 91制片厂 pre-K rooms have small chairs, stools and tables sized just right for 3s and 4s. The furniture is flexible, allowing for a variety of seating options because they get used for lots of different activities. The tables and chairs are perfect for group learning activities and help children build social skills with their peers.

Each room also has a water fountain at the students鈥� height, along with a sink and bathroom. The bathroom is a must for this age group to prevent those unwanted accidents and to help teachers maintain constant supervision. They also help minimize interruptions to teachers鈥� lesson plans, which means more time for the children to learn and play.

CLASSROOM CENTERS

Each classroom is set up in centers to promote literacy, math, science and social-emotional learning. Pre-K students spend their day playing, singing and learning to gain skills that ultimately help them learn to read, write and build their math and science skills. Pre-K teachers are very creative and implement all kinds of activities at each center to maximize learning opportunities. Some of the most popular centers include:

• Dramatic Play Center

The dramatic play center includes fun-sized versions of items you find at home, like kitchen sets and dollhouses, filled with diverse baby dolls that promote role-playing. Dramatic play encourages creativity, self-expression and knowledge of the community.

• Literacy Center

The literacy center is a quiet area where pre-K students practice reading and looking at books. Kids explore their interests and have fun reading colorful stories that trigger their imaginations.

• Math Center

The math center is a special corner where kids learn how to use manipulatives, such as numbers, counters, blocks and geometric shapes to count, sort, add and subtract and build mathematical thinking skills.

• Free Choice Centers

Free choice centers allow less structured play time where kids get to pick their own activities from choices the teacher provides. These centers help develop creativity and imagination during crafts or pretend play.

• The Safe Place

The Safe Place is a cozy spot where kids can go sit if they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or just not having the best day. Students can look in the mirror while practicing breathing techniques and reciting affirmations to calm them down. Calming books, feeling buddies and other relaxation materials are also at the center to help kids cope with any difficult emotions. Learning fundamental academic skills are important, but it鈥檚 also important to help kids develop strong emotional and mental health at a young age. Teaching them now makes a huge difference in how they handle difficult situations as they grow up.

LABELS

Labels are vital in early childhood learning. Putting signs and labels on nearly every object helps students learn to read, write and spell at a much faster rate as they associate pictures with words they see and hear. Signs go on everything from cubby holders and lockers to chairs and toys. To solidify lessons, some teachers include 鈥淲rite the Room鈥� sessions that allow kids to write down the objects they are learning about or 鈥渂uying鈥� from the caf茅 or store.

STEM LABS听听听听听

Science and math have always been an important part of 91制片厂 pre-K, but now STEM is infused in the pre-K 4 curriculum. Our pre-K students take advantage of the STEM labs at every elementary school and learn and discover through hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiments and lessons.

OUTSIDE

Discovery doesn鈥檛 just happen inside. Outside is a classroom, too, with all kinds of games and activities. When classroom sensory tables are filled with water or sand, kids turn into little explorers as they dive into the daily lessons.

Playgrounds are a great learning space, too. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, all elementary schools now have new playgrounds. The new playgrounds are rock- and wood-free and have a soft rubber surface for safety to protect against those inevitable falls. Plus, they all have shade structures and accessible play equipment.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj__YXBEZlg[/embed]

REGISTER NOW

Pre-K in the 91制片厂 is key to getting 3- and 4-year-olds off to a great start. Learn more about our innovative pre-K programs听and see what a day in pre-K is like in . Then head back to aisd.net/pre-k to register. Feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

Pre-K students ready for the next step

Donovan was ready.

When his teacher called his name, he bounded up the steps and strutted across the stage with man-sized strides and giant arm swings. Decked out in a sharp red polo and khaki pants, Donovan collected his pre-K diploma, found his spot on stage and flashed a million-dollar smile at all the family and friends in the audience.

There were lots of those happy smiles at Butler Elementary鈥檚 pre-K graduation this week 鈥� and at pre-K graduations all across 91制片厂.

Kathryn O鈥橬eal, one of Butler鈥檚 two pre-K teachers, thanked the parents and families for entrusting their little ones with her. She probably spoke for every pre-K class in the world when she described her students.

鈥淵our children are joyful and energetic,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd loving and energetic. And empathetic and energetic. And kind and funny. And did I mention energetic?鈥�

Butler鈥檚 other pre-K teacher, Brittany Lee, shared a moment she had in class recently when she realized the end of the year was fast approaching 鈥� and maybe a little too quickly.

鈥淭his is my little family,鈥� Lee said, 鈥渁nd I鈥檓 going to miss them.鈥�

Lee wasn鈥檛 the only one who got emotional at the graduation.

Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning, did too.

鈥淭here are tears in my eyes,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淎s an educator, I know how much it takes for kids to get to this point. They come to the school at the beginning of the year not knowing what鈥檚 going to happen. It鈥檚 a new world, a new environment. Seeing them now so confident, so happy, in love with school 鈥� it鈥檚 amazing.鈥�

The transformation that 4-year-olds go through from August to May is truly amazing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about that safe, loving environment and making sure that in their first experience in school they feel loved, safe and nurtured,鈥� said Butler principal Mark Basham.

It鈥檚 also about a commitment 91制片厂 has made to pre-K students.

鈥�91制片厂 is very special,鈥� Basham said to the parents during the graduation ceremony. 鈥淭hey committed that we are going to offer pre-K to every student in our district, and that is not available to every student across the state. Only a handful of districts have picked up this commitment.鈥�

That commitment is why Matthew Hall from 鈥� a non-profit that supports public schools and advocates for more pre-K in the state 鈥� came to Butler鈥檚 pre-K graduation. He brought refreshments for everyone to enjoy after the ceremony.

鈥淓arly learning education is critical for the future of our workforce in Texas,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淩aise Your Hand Texas is always grateful for opportunities to work alongside local partners, school districts and the business community to highlight programs like pre-K. We are honored to sponsor this awards ceremony.鈥�

Colorful Kooken

Kooken Educational Center 鈥� 91制片厂鈥檚 only all-pre-K campus for 3-year-olds 鈥� held an end-of-the-year ceremony, too, but it was a little different than at other schools. Their ceremony wasn鈥檛 a graduation.

鈥淲e don't do a graduation, as our kids move on to 鈥榖ig school鈥� and continue in pre-K 4 classes next year on their home campuses,鈥� said Tara Lane, Kooken鈥檚 assistant principal.

But it was just as fun 鈥� and colorful.

A group of volunteer parents decorated the gym in a Crayola theme complete with four colorful photo booths. The students sang songs during the ceremony and the teachers celebrated the students鈥� growth before giving them their certificates of completion.

鈥淭his year all of our students are also receiving a Junior Master Gardner Award for participating in the Texas A&M Extension Program that teaches kids about healthy food choices, growing our own foods, how plants grow, etc.,鈥� Lane said.

Pre-K is the foundation

It鈥檚 time for this year鈥檚 pre-K students to move on to kindergarten or 鈥榖ig school,鈥� and like Donovan, they鈥檙e ready.

鈥淗aving had pre-K, they are just ready to take off,鈥� O鈥橬eal said.

91制片厂鈥檚 innovative pre-K lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and it sets students up for success in kindergarten and beyond.

If you have a little learner ready for pre-K, we have a spot for them in 91制片厂. The next school year starts in less than three months, so register here today.

Go outside, have fun and learn

Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning, has a message for pre-K and kindergarten students 鈥� and really every child.

鈥淕o outside!鈥�

It鈥檚 spring, and that means it鈥檚 time to go outside and play!

鈥淩esearch has shown that children who play outdoors regularly are happier, healthier and stronger,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淲hen kids play outside, they get the opportunity to sing, skip, climb, jump and explore the world around them. Being outside and playing gives kids the opportunity to develop their physical, social-emotional, cognitive and language skills.鈥�

Orsini has some suggestions for parents to help make outdoor playtime fun and educational.

Keep it simple

Take a short walk and count or sort objects by color or shape. Go on a scavenger hunt or take a hike. Admire nature, listen to the birds, plant a tree or engage your child in a gardening activity. Integrate literacy by reading a book under a tree or by identifying the first letter, beginning sound or ending sounds of the things that you find. It鈥檚 also great to let your child play outside with their favorite toys.

Incorporate other elements

Include water, sand, glitter, rocks, Play-Doh, paint, things from your pantry and other household items to promote sensory play, which is very important in early years.

Anywhere works

Don鈥檛 get stressed about finding the perfect location. You don鈥檛 have to take your little one to a special place to experience the benefits of outdoor learning. A park close to your home or your backyard should be perfect. Outdoor games and activities are unlimited!

What does your child like?

Recognize your child鈥檚 interests and plan for fun activities that will get your little one excited about outdoor play. Does your child like science, arts, sports or nature? These are just some of the areas to consider when planning the perfect outdoor experience for your child. 听

Technology free

Put aside distractions and technology devices. This should be a time for you and your child to connect, bond and create beautiful memories.

Be safe

Remind your child of ways to play safely with other children and to follow instructions. Encourage your kids to use play equipment properly (like going feet first down a slide) and to be respectful toward nature. Check your local forecast before going outside. If it鈥檚 hot, don鈥檛 stay out too long, and use sunscreen often. And don鈥檛 forget to have your child wash hands after outdoor activities.

The most important thing is to have fun. Happy spring and summer!

When summer ends

Even though the summer break is just beginning, it鈥檚 time to plan for next school year and enroll your little ones in pre-K or kindergarten. Registration is open online now here. And learn more here about 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K 鈥� where outside play is important during the school year, too.

STEM in pre-K is about exploration

In 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K, 4-year-olds are real scientists.

鈥淭hey especially like it when they wear safety goggles,鈥� said Viki Miller, a pre-K teacher at Dunn Elementary. 鈥淭hey really feel like scientists then.鈥�

They feel like it because it鈥檚 true.

Two years ago 91制片厂 introduced a new innovative pre-K 4 curriculum that features STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and launches little learners on a journey of discovery.

So, what does STEM at the pre-K level look like?

Like an exploding snowman.

That was one of Miller鈥檚 class鈥檚 favorite STEM projects.

It鈥檚 a bag of baking soda. But then they poured vinegar on the baking soda and it puffed up like a snowman.

鈥淭hey thought that was amazing,鈥� Miller said.

STEM in pre-K comes in a variety of ways, from exploding snowmen and other science experiments and observations in the school鈥檚 STEM labs 鈥� every 91制片厂 elementary school has two STEM labs 鈥� to STEM stations in the classroom and a big family project that the kids do with parents at home.

But it all fits squarely into the district鈥檚 play-based curriculum.

鈥淥ur pre-K curriculum allows preschool children many types of play throughout the day,鈥� early childhood director Dr. Jackeline Orsini said. 鈥淥ur daily lesson plans allow children to participate in physical, cognitive, language and social play through structured and non-structured activities.鈥�

And STEM is a big part of that.

STEM in pre-K isn鈥檛 just a list of activities done in a lab with safety glasses though.

It鈥檚 a philosophy about making the lessons relevant to the real world. It鈥檚 about providing hands-on activities that let kids participate in their own learning. And it鈥檚 about integration. In other words, you don鈥檛 teach each concept in isolation. You combine them in activities that allow students to make real-world connections.

And they are all activities that feel like playing to a 4-year-old.

Learning STEM at an early age gives students lots of opportunities to explore, hone their problem-solving skills, work on their fine and gross motor skills and develop critical thinking.

鈥淐hildren love to learn by playing with hands-on and mind-on activities,鈥� said Amos Elementary kindergarten teacher Katy Peterson. 鈥淪TEM provides just this. It gives intriguing opportunities to see how things work and relate to real life.鈥�

STEM activities involve touching things, experimenting and seeing how stuff works. They are purposefully designed to spark questions and curiosity and give kids the chance to pursue that curiosity and find answers to their own questions.

And it鈥檚 fun! It鈥檚 often messy fun that brings learning to life. It鈥檚 about exploring and trying new things. And fun is key in getting kids excited to learn.

Come explore with us

If STEM in pre-K sounds a little daunting for your future student, don鈥檛 worry. If they love to play with LEGOs, Play-Doh, build things (or take things apart), and have a natural curiosity about everything, they will love STEM.

Plus, it鈥檚 free! 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K for 4-year-olds is open to everyone at no cost. Registration is open online now. Visit听aisd.net/prek听to learn more and register.

It all starts with 3-year-olds

How about a little game of True or False?

In 91制片厂, pre-K begins at four to prepare kiddos for life-long learning.

False!

91制片厂 is a step ahead when it comes to preparing your little learner for the future, and it all begins at 3-years-old.

Age three is pivotal in early childhood learning, and that鈥檚 why the district is committed to creating environments full of learning and play for your child. With a half-day curriculum, your child will have the opportunity to learn letters, vocabulary and math, all while having fun and developing social and emotional skills.

鈥淭his stage marks the beginning of everything, especially the introduction to school,鈥� said Maria Castro, pre-K 3 teacher at Thornton Elementary. 鈥淜ids establish a social foundation, learn left from right, how to form a line and everything in between. Because adults have known this stuff for so long, we often forget that this is the time for kids to learn those developmental skills.鈥�

Castro knows what she鈥檚 talking about, too. The bilingual teacher is in her 22nd year teaching and loves being the little ones鈥� biggest cheerleader. She believes offering encouragement to the students after every accomplishment makes a world of difference in their lives.

Swift Elementary pre-K 3 teacher Kristen Diaz agrees that pre-K 3 is the foundation for a successful education.

鈥淲e are teaching children how to go to school, be a good friend, follow directions and learn academics they will need for the rest of their time in school,鈥� Diaz said. 鈥淧re-K 3 is essential for the children鈥檚 social, emotional and physical development. The things these children learn in pre-K 3 will stay with them for the rest of their education.鈥�

The pre-K 3 curriculum also focuses on fine and gross motor skills like opening snacks and milk bottles and holding pencils. With lots of music, art and furniture suited just for kids, the design and personalization of the curriculum and classroom foster creativity, exploration, fun and learning.

Starting school can come with a lot of anxiety for both children and parents. 91制片厂 pre-K 3 teachers know the importance of assuring parents that their child is safe and getting plenty of emotional support.

鈥淚 love the opportunity to scaffold the emotional needs kids have,鈥� Castro said. 鈥淪ocial-emotional learning is so important because once you master separation anxiety, then the academics can start. We have lesson plans, but social emotional learning takes priority.

鈥淧re-K 3 is proactive by preventing challenges, and it gradually irons them out academically and emotionally,鈥� Castro said. 鈥淲e can know quicker if a child is experiencing challenges and we鈥檙e able to address those things before they get to kindergarten. I wish it was mandatory for all 3-year-olds.鈥�

The benefits of pre-K 3 are endless when it comes to nurturing kids鈥� curiosity and developing their social and emotional skills. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and yours is right here in 91制片厂. If you鈥檙e ready for your little learner to be a part of a community that fosters all-around growth, register for pre-K today at aisd.net/prek. Let the fun begin!

And feel free to contact our early childhood learning team with any questions you have at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Kids dress in fairytale costumes

鈥淚t was beautiful,鈥� Princess Aurora said.

That鈥檚 not usually how the 91制片厂鈥檚 Professional Development Center is described.

But Sleeping Beauty 鈥� also known as Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning 鈥� was right.

It was magical for dozens of pre-K and kindergarten-age children.

91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department put on Once Upon a Time last week at the PDC, a fairytale-themed event designed to encourage little learners and their families to read.

Many of the kids came dressed as princesses and princes 鈥� or Spiderman 鈥� and couldn鈥檛 believe their eyes when they saw Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Belle and other characters from their favorite stories. Most posed with wide eyes for pictures with the princesses they thought were real before heading off to lots of fun activities.

The activities were all storybook themed. In one room, Moore Elementary pre-K teacher Debbie Modawell read the story 鈥淭he Three Billy Goats Gruff鈥� and helped the kids act it out with puppets. She even had a bridge for the billy goats to walk over.

鈥淲ho鈥檚 that trip trapping over my bridge,鈥� said the little girl playing the troll.

鈥淚t is I, the medium-sized goat,鈥� answered the little girl who had just trip trapped over the bridge.

Modawell read the story over and over again during the event, each time for a different audience, but she loved it every time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my favorite story,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he kids get to really get into it and be the troll and use the puppets. It brings them out of their shell and helps them make connections with literature.鈥�

Making connections with literature was what the night was all about.

鈥淲e had the event to let parents know how important literacy is at school and at home,鈥� said Ana Biederstedt, an 91制片厂 early learning specialist who was dressed as one of the three little pigs. 鈥淩eading books helps kids vocabulary grow and their knowledge will grow.鈥�

In another room, kids listened to the story of 鈥淭he Three Little Pigs.鈥� And other rooms featured story-book-themed activities, arts, crafts and dramatic play.

鈥淚鈥檓 using the marshmallows for a cushion,鈥� said one little princess as she made Goldilocks鈥� bed.

Nearby, boys and girls donned armor with foam shields and swords and acted out their own fairytale adventures. Others built castles with blocks and Legos.

All took home books and were inspired to read and dream. And everyone had a great time.

Even the big bad wolf (also known as early learning specialist Ken Foster).

See from Once Upon a Time.

Register for pre-K or kindergarten

Once Upon a Time was just a taste of 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K and kindergarten programs where literacy and fun are huge themes every day.

Register your child today for pre-K or kindergarten next school year. You can start the registration process online听here.

Learn more at听aisd.net/prek听or aisd.net/kindergarten and feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418, prekquestions@aisd.net or kinderquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

And check out听this post听with lots of important dates and details about registration.

Fun leads to learning in pre-k

Lots of playtime probably isn鈥檛 what comes to mind when you think about going to school. But for 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K students, purposeful play is a big part of every day.

The key word is purposeful. The play is incorporated into the curriculum and is designed to foster curiosity and encourage learning in the district鈥檚 youngest learners. It is detailed, intentional, engaging, data-driven and differentiated based on the learner.

鈥淒evelopmentally-appropriate purposeful play is an engaging way to develop children鈥檚 intellectual, social, emotional and physical skills,鈥� said Nadia Azari, 91制片厂 early childhood specialist. 鈥淚t encourages creative thinking while achieving intended learning outcomes.鈥�

Why play?

Play is how young children learn. They are innately curious, and they feed and foster that curiosity through playful sensory-rich experiences that encourage kids to explore, discover and ask questions.

Through playful exploration, children discover the world around them and learn to make sense of it. When they find meaning and purpose in their play, they learn.

鈥淐hildren do this primarily with their five senses,鈥� said Ken Foster, 91制片厂 early childhood specialist. "What does it look like, sound like, smell like, taste like and feel like? To adults, it looks like playing. However, to the child, it is engagement in learning. The more sophisticated children become with using their five senses, the more efficient they become with adding new information.鈥�

Play is the vehicle for students to be able to grow and develop many skills, including social and emotional skills, fine motor skills and problem-solving skills. They also improve their vocabulary and gain the confidence to try new things.

Purposeful play teaches the whole child, meeting them where they are developmentally, and providing the building blocks for a solid educational foundation.

Pre-K is about preparing young students to start kindergarten and kick off a life-long journey of learning. Purposeful play is designed to do just that.

Register Now

Registration for 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K 3, pre-k 4 and kindergarten for next school year is now open. Start the process online here. Learn more at aisd.net/prek and feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

And check out this post with lots of important dates and details about pre-K registration.

This fairytale is real

Once upon a time in a land far away 鈥�

Actually, the time is next Monday, April 22, from 5-7 p.m. And it鈥檚 not so far away 鈥� it鈥檒l be at the .

But it will be magical and a very special time with your little ones. Plus, it鈥檚 free!

鈥淲e are getting close to the end of the school year, and in 91制片厂 we want to do a Royal Event to celebrate the hard work and extraordinary achievements of all our current pre-K and kinder students,鈥� said the magical queen of Once Upon a Time 鈥� also known as Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also going to be a majestic celebration to welcome all new 91制片厂 pre-K and kinder students who will be joining us for the 2024-2025 school year.鈥�

Join us for Once Upon a Time and take a whimsical adventure with your current or rising pre-K and kindergarten children and dive into the enchanting world of fairytales. Dress up as a princess, prince or your favorite fairytale character for a fun evening filled with storytelling, games, crafts and more.

The event is designed to encourage a love of reading for little learners and to help parents foster learning at home.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to promote early literacy,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淓arly literacy helps children in so many ways, including language development, social and emotional learning, communication skills and so much more.鈥�

Once Upon a Time will include lots of fun things to do. Teacher-led activities include:

• An interactive read aloud of 鈥淭he Three Billy Goats Gruff.鈥�
• Story telling of the 鈥淭hree Little Pigs鈥� followed by engaging math activities with a book kids can take home.
• Reading 鈥淟ittle Red Riding Hood鈥� followed by the opportunity to make puppets and practice retelling the story. And there will be a book to take home.

There will also be many fun stations the kids can visit, like:

• Storybook Corner
• Fairytale Writing Station
• Caste Engineering with blocks
• Royal Creations (patterns with jeweled crowns)
• Dramatic Play with dress up and puppet theater
• Jack and the Beanstalk STEM Cup Challenge
• Crown Jewel Counting
• Fairytale Playdough
• Fairytale Snacks where kids will get to create and eat fairytale-themed snacks (magic wands, magic beans, etc.)

Plus, every child will get a free book and activities to take home.

But it鈥檚 not just about the kids. The event will also provide parents with tools and ideas to help their children learn and read. And you will get great photos with your kids at the photo booth.

鈥淲e鈥檒l give parents practical ideas to help reinforce everything their kids have been learning at school,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淲e want our little learners to keep practicing what they鈥檝e learned over the summer.鈥�

Once Upon a Time will be a magical opportunity to bond and create cherished memories with your kids. Don鈥檛 miss out on this spellbinding experience!

to register for the event today.

Staff will also be on hand to assist you with your 2024-2025 registration for pre-K and kindergarten. Or you can go ahead and get started now with registration online.

Learn more about 91制片厂鈥檚 fun, innovative pre-K programs and kindergarten.

Signing Day 2024 a big hit

If there were any doubts about how parents of the littlest learners in the 91制片厂 feel about the district鈥檚 Signing Day festivities, all you had to do was go to Thornton Elementary last Thursday to erase those worries.

Parents were lined up outside the cafeteria when Signing Day started at 5 p.m. to register their pre-K and kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year.

Signing Day, which is in its second year for the district, is the one-stop opportunity for parents to bring their children to the school to get all the paperwork done, see what the building looks like and me their future teachers.

The students are the stars on Signing Day, as elementary schools throughout the district have stations set up for the students to put pencil to paper and make their plans known.

鈥淗aving the opportunity to see our future young learners signing their commitment to a successful 2024-25 school year was a privilege,鈥� said early childhood learning director Dr. Jackeline Orsini, who showed up at Thornton for Signing Day. 鈥淭o see the smiles of our future young learners, the excitement of hundreds of parents after completing the registration process, the extraordinary support of our dedicated staff members and the happiness of so many children walking the hallways of what will soon be their school were only some of the highlights of this very special event.鈥�

You can see pictures from Signing Day throughout the district .

Pre-K for 4-year-olds in the 91制片厂 is free for everyone and has STEM integrated in the curriculum. It helps children develop critical thinking skills and gets them ready for the rest of their educational career. Kindergarten is also huge as it continues to allow children to grow academically, socially and emotionally through play-based learning activities.

Registration for pre-K and kindergarten students opened on April 1 and is ongoing. The early childhood department has events scheduled throughout the spring and summer to help families get ready to send their children off to school this fall.

If you want to find out more about our early childhood learning department, mark your calendars for Monday, April 22. The department will be hosting a Once Upon a Time fairytale family event at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center. The event is in English and Spanish and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. You can also get your registration questions answered there.

You can find out more about pre-K and begin the registration process here. If your child will be ready for kindergarten in 2024-25, go here to find out more about the program and register.

All Aboard! Registration for 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K and kindergarten is now open online for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes all students who will be 3, 4, or 5 by Sept. 1.

鈥淲e are looking forward to the first week of April with great anticipation and excitement,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淔or us, April 1 is not just the beginning of the pre-K and kinder registration process, it鈥檚 the day that marks the beginning of a new and significant partnership with thousands of families.鈥�

Pre-K and Kinder Signing Day

There鈥檚 no bigger deal than starting pre-K or kindergarten! That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 is hosting its second Pre-K/Kindergarten Signing Day this Thursday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m., at your child鈥檚 school. Your child is starting a new, exciting chapter in their lives, so come out for a chance to celebrate this momentous milestone and get your child registered.

鈥淪ince we believe that pre-K and kindergarten should be a magical experience, we make Signing Day a special and unforgettable experience for our new students,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning.

It鈥檚 going to be a lot of fun. Just like high school athletes declare their college choice and sign a letter of intent, your child will get to sign a certificate declaring their status as a rising pre-K or kindergarten student. You鈥檒l get a fun photo of your child declaring their intent to learn and grow!

Not sure what school your child is going to attend? Visit the school locator here.

Signing Day will also be a great opportunity for your family to walk the school building for the first time and visit the pre-K and kindergarten classrooms.

鈥淏uilding strong relationships with families is crucial for the success of our students,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淪igning Day give us the opportunity to connect for the very first time with all our new families. It's really a special day that no one with a future pre-K or kinder student should miss.鈥�

Come meet pre-K teachers and school staff and check out the amazing student artwork on display. You鈥檒l get a sneak peek at how our incredible teachers blend fun with world-class learning opportunities. Plus, you can get help and support with completing the registration for your child, so bring registration documents with you.

Important Info

If your child is getting ready to start pre-K or kindergarten for the first time, or you have a child in pre-K 3 moving up to pre-K 4 or in pre-K 4 moving up to kindergarten, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are the some of the important dates and details you need to听know to get your child registered and enrolled in pre-K or kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.

IMPORTANT DATES

April 1 鈥� Registration opens

Registration for pre-K and kindergarten for 2024-2025 opens online here today, Monday, April 1. A few more details about registration are included in the 鈥淚mportant Details鈥� below.

April 4 鈥� Pre-K and Kindergarten Signing Day

This is a super fun chance to visit your child鈥檚 school, celebrate the milestone of pre-K or kindergarten with a fun photo of your child, visit a pre-K or kindergarten classroom and get help with registration. Here are a few more details.

April 22 鈥� Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time: A Fairytale Family Event for Pre-K and Kindergarten is at the on April 22, from 5-7 p.m. It鈥檚 a chance for kids 鈥� and parents 鈥� to dress up as their favorite fairytale character and have lots of fun together with literacy- and STEM-themed activities.

August (dates to be determined) 鈥� Meet the Teacher

Visit your child鈥檚 school, meet their teacher and see their classroom. This will be a really important opportunity to help your child get ready for the first day of school. The date for Meet the Teacher will be set by your child鈥檚 school.

August 14 鈥� First Day of School

Believe it or not, the first day of school is less than five months away! It鈥檒l be here before we know it.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

What school will my child attend?

If your child is going into pre-K 4 or kindergarten, you can to see what school you are zoned for.

If your child is going into pre-K 3, you can register at any 91制片厂 school that offers pre-K 3. See here which schools have pre-K 3.

What is the registration process like, and how can I get help if I need it?

You can start the registration process online here starting April 1. You will also need to either visit the school or attend one of the registration events (Signing Day or Once Upon a Time) to complete registration.

There are several ways to get help with registration. If you have a question or issue with the online registration system, please email pss@aisd.net. You can also come to one our registration events (Signing Day, Once Upon a Time) where we鈥檒l have people on hand to help you with the entire process and answer any questions. You鈥檙e also welcome to contact your child鈥檚 school.

What documents do I need to register my child?

Parents or guardians will need to upload several documents. The required documents for new students include:

• • Student's original birth certificate
  • Photo ID of parent/guardian: driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
  • Proof of address: current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
  • Current immunization record
  • Student's Social Security card
  • Report card from prior school

Additional documents required for pre-K include each of the following documents that apply:

• • • Proof of Income 鈥� last 30 days for all adults living in the household (paystub, Medicaid, disability, worker comp)
    • SNAP/TANF benefits letter
    • Current tax return (if self-employed)
    • Proof of military service for active duty military parent(s)
    • Foster care documents
    • Star of Texas Award certificate or letter

But for returning students entering kindergarten who are already enrolled in an 91制片厂 pre-K, the only documents required are:

• • Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
  • Proof of address: Current gas, water, or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
  • Updated immunization records (if applicable)

When will I get to meet my child鈥檚 teacher?

Your child鈥檚 school will have a Meet the Teacher event in August prior to school starting. You鈥檒l get to come see the school, visit your child鈥檚 classroom and meet the teacher. Please stay tuned for the date at your school.

What if I have more questions?

Sending your child to school is a huge deal. You鈥檙e bound to have more questions. That鈥檚 why our pre-K webpage and kindergarten webpage have a lot of helpful information. Plus, we have FAQs for pre-K and for kindergarten that will help.

Still have more questions? Feel free to contact your child鈥檚 school or email or call the early childhood learning team at prekquestions@aisd.net, kinderquestions@aisd.net or (682) 867-9418.

Pre-K and kindergarten registration opens Monday

Registration for next school year 鈥� 2024-2025 鈥� opens online on Monday, April 1, for students entering pre-K and kindergarten.

Most of the registration process can be completed online. To get started on April 1, just go here, starting at 8 a.m.

鈥淲e are looking forward to the first week of April with great anticipation and excitement,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淔or us, April 1 is not just the beginning of the pre-K and kindergarten registration process, it鈥檚 the day that marks the beginning of a new and significant partnership with thousands of families.鈥�

If your child is getting ready to start pre-K or kindergarten for the first time, or you have a child in pre-K 3 moving up to pre-K 4 or in pre-K 4 moving up to kindergarten, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are the some of the important dates and details you need to know to get your child registered and enrolled in pre-K or kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.

IMPORTANT DATES

• April 1 鈥� Registration opens
  Registration for pre-K and kindergarten for 2024-2025 opens online here on Monday, April 1. A few more details about registration are included in the 鈥淚mportant Details鈥� below.
  
  
• April 4 鈥� Pre-K and Kindergarten Signing Day
  This is a super fun chance to visit your child鈥檚 school, celebrate the milestone of pre-K or kindergarten with a fun photo of your child, visit a pre-K or kindergarten classroom and get help with registration. Here are a few more details.
  
  
• April 22 鈥� Once Upon a Time
  Once Upon a Time: A Fairytale Family Event for Pre-K and Kindergarten is at the on April 22, from 5-7 p.m. It鈥檚 a chance for kids 鈥� and parents 鈥� to dress up as their favorite fairytale character and have lots of fun together with literacy- and STEM-themed activities.
  
  
• August (dates to be determined) 鈥� Meet the Teacher
  Visit your child鈥檚 school, meet their teacher and see their classroom. This will be a really important opportunity to help your child get ready for the first day of school. The date for Meet the Teacher will be set by your child鈥檚 school.
  
  
• August 14 鈥� First Day of School
  Believe it or not, the first day of school is less than five months away! It鈥檒l be here before we know it.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

What school will my child attend?

If your child is going into pre-K 4 or kindergarten, you can to see what school you are zoned for.

If your child is going into pre-K 3, you can register at any 91制片厂 school that offers pre-K 3. See here which schools have pre-K 3.

What is the registration process like, and how can I get help if I need it?

You can start the registration process online here starting April 1. You will also need to either visit the school or attend one of the registration events (Signing Day or Once Upon a Time) to complete registration.

There are several ways to get help with registration. If you have a question or issue with the online registration system, please email pss@aisd.net. You can also come to one our registration events (Signing Day, Once Upon a Time) where we鈥檒l have people on hand to help you with the entire process and answer any questions. You鈥檙e also welcome to contact your child鈥檚 school.

What documents do I need to register my child?

Parents or guardians will need to upload several documents. The required documents for new students include:

• • • Student's original birth certificate
    • Photo ID of parent/guardian: driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
    • Proof of address: current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
    • Current immunization record
    • Student's Social Security card
    • Report card from prior school

Additional documents required for pre-K include each of the following documents that apply:

• • • • Proof of Income 鈥� last 30 days for all adults living in the household (paystub, Medicaid, disability, worker comp)
      • SNAP/TANF benefits letter
      • Current tax return (if self-employed)
      • Proof of military service for active duty military parent(s)
      • Foster care documents
      • Star of Texas Award certificate or letter

But for returning students entering kindergarten who are already enrolled in an 91制片厂 pre-K, the only documents required are:

• • • Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
    • Proof of address: Current gas, water, or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
    • Updated immunization records (if applicable)

When will I get to meet my child鈥檚 teacher?

Your child鈥檚 school will have a Meet the Teacher event in August prior to school starting. You鈥檒l get to come see the school, visit your child鈥檚 classroom and meet the teacher. Please stay tuned for the date at your school.

What if I have more questions?

Sending your child to school is a huge deal. You鈥檙e bound to have more questions. That鈥檚 why our pre-K webpage and kindergarten webpage have a lot of helpful information. Plus, we have FAQs for pre-K and for kindergarten that will help.

Still have more questions? Feel free to contact your child鈥檚 school or email or call the early childhood learning team at prekquestions@aisd.net, kinderquestions@aisd.net or (682) 867-9418.

Cuando desee el mejor programa de prek铆nder para su hijo, no busque m谩s que 91制片厂. Hace dos a帽os, el distrito estableci贸 el nuevo est谩ndar nacional para todos los estudiantes de cuatro a帽os al introducir un plan de estudios STEM en todo el distrito. A煤n mejor, el distrito lo hizo gratuito para los padres dentro de los l铆mites del distrito escolar de Arlington y para todos los dem谩s ni帽os, incluso si no viven en Arlington.

Ahora es el momento de inscribir a su hijo de cuatro a帽os y esta es la raz贸n.

Educar a todo el ni帽o: gratis

El innovador plan de estudios STEM presenta a los estudiantes lecciones que involucran ciencia, tecnolog铆a, ingenier铆a y matem谩ticas, lo cual cambia las reglas del juego. Aprender谩n a pensar cr铆ticamente, resolver problemas y anticipar causa y efecto.

Si agregar lecciones STEM al plan de estudios de prek铆nder no era raz贸n suficiente para registrar a su hijo de cuatro a帽os, 91制片厂 ha eliminado otra barrera: el costo. El programa de prek铆nder de 91制片厂 para todos los ni帽os de cuatro a帽os es gratuito para usted.

Pero espere. Hay a煤n m谩s. El arte, la m煤sica y el movimiento tambi茅n se integran en cada sal贸n de clases durante todo el a帽o para que los estudiantes reciban una poderosa educaci贸n completa.

Si bien la combinaci贸n de STEM y lo gratuito puede parecer demasiado buena para ser verdad, no lo es en 91制片厂. El distrito est谩 excepcionalmente calificado para llevar STEM a los estudiantes de prek铆nder.

Equipado para cumplir

Cada escuela primaria de 91制片厂 ya est谩 equipada con dos laboratorios STEM, gracias al apoyo de los contribuyentes de Arlington al Bono 2014. Dado que STEM ya forma parte del plan de estudios de las escuelas primarias, agregarlo a la oferta ampliada de prek铆nder ten铆a sentido.

"El objetivo de 91制片厂 es preparar a nuestros estudiantes del siglo XXI para lo que venga cuando se grad煤en de 91制片厂", dijo el superintendente de 91制片厂, Dr. Matt Smith. "Sabemos que al iniciar STEM temprano a trav茅s de experimentaci贸n divertida e interactiva, nuestros estudiantes de preescolar se sentir谩n inspirados para aprender y descubrir a lo largo de sus vidas".

Juego con prop贸sito

STEM en prek铆nder puede parecer un poco desalentador para su futuro estudiante, pero no hay necesidad de preocuparse. Si les encanta jugar con LEGO y Play-Doh, construir cosas (o desmontarlas) y tienen una curiosidad natural por todo, les encantar谩 STEM.

驴Todav铆a no est谩 convencido? Profundicemos en lo que obtendr谩 al enviar a su estudiante de prek铆nder 4 a帽os a 91制片厂.

Beneficios de STEM

No se puede negar que las carreras STEM son hacia donde se dirige el futuro. Las carreras STEM actualmente representan el 20 por ciento de todos los empleos en Estados Unidos. Ese n煤mero sigue aumentando. Imag铆nese c贸mo ser谩 eso en 2038. As铆 es; su futuro estudiante de prek铆nder de 91制片厂 estar谩 en la promoci贸n de 2038. Los trabajos STEM ya pagan m谩s que los de otras 谩reas. La educaci贸n STEM en 91制片厂 demuestra a煤n m谩s nuestro compromiso de despertar el inter茅s de los estudiantes en la ciencia, la tecnolog铆a, la ingenier铆a y las matem谩ticas.

Gratis para todos

91制片厂 garantiza que todos tengan acceso a una educaci贸n de alta calidad, comenzando con los estudiantes de prek铆nder de cuatro a帽os, al eliminar una de las barreras que frenan a algunos: el costo. Si bien las familias a煤n deben completar la documentaci贸n de calificaci贸n requerida a nivel federal para prek铆nder, incluso si no califican, tendr谩n igual acceso a la educaci贸n de prek铆nder 4 que se ofrece en 91制片厂 sin costo alguno. Los estudiantes de prek铆nder tienen mejores resultados en alfabetizaci贸n, matem谩ticas y aprendizaje socioemocional que los estudiantes que no asisten a prek铆nder. El costo del prek铆nder no ser谩 una barrera para tener la oportunidad de lograr ese 茅xito en 91制片厂.

Maestros altamente calificados

Todos los maestros de prek铆nder de 91制片厂 est谩n certificados para ense帽ar aprendizaje en la primera infancia. Tambi茅n hay asistentes de maestros en el nivel de prek铆nder en cada paso del camino. Los maestros de 91制片厂 tampoco se limitan a ense帽ar. Ellos nutren, gu铆an y aman a su hijo como si fuera suyo. Se centran tanto en sus necesidades sociales y emocionales como en asegurarse de aprender las letras y los n煤meros.

隆Es divertido!

No hay nada que diga que aprender no puede ser , al menos no en el programa previo de 91制片厂. Cuando su estudiante est茅 ampliando su vocabulario y sus habilidades de escritura, se divertir谩 a lo largo del camino. Ser谩 lo mismo si est谩n en el laboratorio STEM, en el recreo o trabajando con nuestro galardonado equipo de bellas artes. Hay almuerzo. Hay tiempo de descanso y recarga para los estudiantes de Pre-K 4. Hay mucha m煤sica y tiempo de movimiento. Y todo ello es divertido.

驴Quieres saber m谩s? Puede visitar aisd.net/prek para obtener la informaci贸n m谩s reciente sobre el programa de prek铆nder de 91制片厂. Nos vemos este oto帽o.

When you want the best pre-K program for your child, look no further than the 91制片厂. Two years ago, the district set the new national standard for all four-year-old students by introducing a district-wide STEM curriculum. Even better, the district made it free for parents within Arlington school district boundaries and all other kids, even if they don't live in Arlington.

Now, it's time to enroll your four-year-old and here's why.

Educating the Whole Child 鈥� For Free

The innovative STEM curriculum introduces students to lessons involving science, technology, engineering and math, which is a game changer. They'll learn to think critically, solve problems and anticipate cause and effect.

If adding STEM lessons to the pre-K curriculum wasn't reason enough to register your four-year-old, the 91制片厂 has removed another barrier 鈥� cost. 91制片厂's pre-K program for all four-year-olds is free to you.

But wait. There's even more. Art, music and movement are also integrated into every classroom throughout the year for students to receive a powerful whole-child education.

While the combination of STEM and free may sound too good to be true, it's not in the 91制片厂. The district is uniquely qualified to bring STEM to pre-K students.

Equipped to Deliver

Every 91制片厂 elementary school is already equipped with two STEM labs, thanks to Arlington taxpayers supporting the 2014 Bond. With STEM already part of the curriculum in elementary schools, adding it to the expanded pre-K offerings only made sense.

"91制片厂 is all about preparing our 21st-century learners for whatever comes when they graduate from the 91制片厂," 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith said. "We know that by starting STEM early through fun and interactive experimentation, our pre-K students will be inspired to learn and discover throughout their lifetimes."

Purposeful Play

STEM in pre-K might seem a little daunting for your future student, but there's no need to worry. If they love to play with LEGOs and Play-Doh, build things (or take things apart), and have a natural curiosity about everything, they will love STEM.

Still not convinced? Let's take a deeper dive into what you'll get by sending your pre-K 4 student to the 91制片厂.

STEM Perks

There's no denying that STEM careers are where the future is heading. STEM careers currently make up 20 percent of all U.S. jobs. That number continues to rise. Just imagine what that's going to be like in 2038. That's right; your future 91制片厂 pre-K student will be in the Class of 2038. STEM jobs already pay higher than those in other areas. A STEM education in the 91制片厂 further proves our commitment to sparking a student's interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

Free for All

91制片厂 ensures everyone has access to a high-quality education, starting with four-year-old pre-K students, by removing one of the barriers that stop some 鈥� cost. While families must still fill out the federally required qualifying paperwork for pre-K, even if they don't qualify, they will have equal access to the pre-K 4 education offered in the 91制片厂 at no cost. Pre-K students have better literacy, math, and social-emotional learning results than students who don't attend pre-K. The cost of pre-K will not be a barrier to a chance at that success in the 91制片厂.

Highly-qualified teachers

Every 91制片厂 pre-K teacher is certified to teach early childhood learning. There are also teaching assistants at the pre-K level every step of the way. 91制片厂 teachers don't just teach, either. They nurture, guide, and love your child like their own. They focus as much on their social and emotional needs as they make sure they are learning their letters and numbers.

It's Fun!

There's nothing that says learning can鈥檛 be , at least not in the 91制片厂 pre-program. When your student is expanding their vocabulary and writing skills, they will have fun along the way. That will be the same if they're in the STEM lab, at recess or working with our award-winning fine arts team. There's lunch. There's rest and recharge time for pre-K 4 students. There's plenty of music and movement time. And all of it is fun.

Want to find out more? You can visit aisd.net/prek for all the latest information on the 91制片厂 pre-K program. We'll see you this fall.

Fun family photo ops at Signing Day

There鈥檚 no bigger deal than starting pre-K or kindergarten! That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 is hosting its second Pre-K/Kindergarten Signing Day on Thursday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m., at your child鈥檚 school. Your child is starting a new, exciting chapter in their lives, so come out next week for a chance to celebrate this momentous milestone and get your child registered.

鈥淪ince we believe that pre-K and kindergarten should be a magical experience, we make Signing Day a special and unforgettable experience for our new students,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning.

It鈥檚 going to be a lot of fun. Just like high school athletes declare their college choice and sign a letter of intent, your child will get to sign a certificate declaring their status as a rising pre-K or kindergarten student. You鈥檒l get a fun photo of your child declaring their intent to learn and grow!

Not sure what school your child is going to attend? Visit the school locator here.

Signing Day will also be a great opportunity for your family to walk the school building for the first time and visit the pre-K and kindergarten classrooms.

鈥淏uilding strong relationships with families is crucial for the success of our students,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淪igning Day give us the opportunity to connect for the very first time with all our new families. It's really a special day that no one with a future pre-K or kinder student should miss.鈥�

Come meet pre-K teachers and school staff and check out the amazing student artwork on display. You鈥檒l get a sneak peek at how our incredible teachers blend fun with world-class learning opportunities. Plus, you can get help and support with completing the registration for your child, so bring registration documents with you.

Registration for pre-K and kindergarten opens online on Monday, April 1. Learn more about 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K here and what a day in pre-K is like.

Annual turkey show gets lots of laughs

The director of 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department is a turkey.

At least she was on Tuesday at Morton and Goodman elementary schools.

Dr. Jackeline Orsini and her early childhood learning team visited the schools鈥� pre-K and kindergarten students and acted out a fun story about a runaway turkey.

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Ken Foster, an 91制片厂 early childhood learning specialist and former pre-K teacher at Kooken Education Center, played his guitar and sang about the turkey (Orsini) hiding and running from a chef 鈥� played by Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, 91制片厂 early childhood learning coordinator.

It was a hit. The students made no effort to hide their excitement as they cheered for the turkey and chef running around the room.

鈥淲e LOVE doing this for the kids, schools and all our early childhood teachers,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to support our EC teachers and deliver magical experiences for our pre-K and kindergarten students. Above all, it captures the essence of early learning in 91制片厂 鈥� education that is purposeful and fun.鈥�

It was definitely fun. The smiles, laughs and squeals of excitement made that clear. But it was also a chance for everyone to think about and share what they鈥檙e thankful for.

Several shared that they are thankful for their cats.

鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for all of you!鈥� Foster told the students as he wrapped up the show.

Pre-K registration is still open

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old who isn鈥檛 already enrolled in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K, it鈥檚 not too late. Register now and jumpstart their education with 91制片厂鈥檚 fun and purposeful pre-K.

Register today and learn more at aisd.net/prek.

Texas Rangers are pre-K champions!

The Texas Rangers aren鈥檛 just World Champions. They鈥檙e pre-K champions, too!

Thanks to a recent donation from the Rangers, kids at Farrell Elementary and throughout the district are enjoying fun outdoor activities that help them learn lifelong skills like teamwork, fine motor skills and problem-solving. Go Rangers!

鈥淲e are so grateful and thankful to the Texas Rangers for their donation,鈥� said Farrell principal Glen Brunk. 鈥淚n the current pre-K 4 unit they are learning about taking care of themselves through exercise and the benefits of outdoor learning, so the donation from the Rangers has been amazing. We really appreciate it.鈥�

The donation came in the form of a $100,000 grant听last year from the听听to promote education, physical development and athletics for pre-K students. The money was then used to purchase outdoor equipment for the district鈥檚 littlest learners.

Students at Peach Elementary got a sneak peak of the equipment in January when the Rangers showed up to have the students test drive it.

Now that the weather is so nice, the new equipment is getting a lot of use at Farrell and throughout the district.

鈥淜iddos are learning fine motor skills through playing games like walk the dog. They are also learning how to share and teamwork,鈥� said Farrell pre-K 3 teaching assistant Paula Ford. 鈥淭he activities keep them engaged and they have so much fun!鈥�

Farrell pre-K 4 teacher Shelly Hall is also ecstatic about the Rangers donation.

鈥淕etting to teach my pre-K 4 students about exercise and their health through fun outdoor activities is amazing," Hall said. 鈥淭eaching the kids how to deal with their emotions, whether they win or lose, is so important. It allows them to feel safe with their emotions and redirect with gentleness.鈥�

The Rangers hit a homerun with this donation, helping 3- and 4-year-olds learn and grow through having fun.

鈥淚 feel blessed and lucky to provide this opportunity for our students,鈥� said, Dr. Jackeline Orsini, director of early childhood learning. 鈥淔or them to have access to equipment that promotes physical movement and works with their motor skills in an outdoor learning experience is so important. The opportunity to learn how to cooperate and be a part of a team not only allows them to work on their social skills but allows them to have fun! And our pre-K department loves to see their smiling faces.鈥�

Pre-K registration is still open

Hit a home run for your child by enrolling them in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program. It鈥檚 not too late! Registration is still open. Register today or learn more at aisd.net/prek.

WFAA meteorologist is a Bowie High School grad

Every hand shot up.

鈥淲ho wants to tell me your favorite kind of weather?鈥� , WFAA Channel 8 meteorologist, had just asked a room full of more than 50 pre-K students at Beckham Elementary.

The most popular answer: tornados.

That鈥檚 also the typical forecast for a room full of dozens of 4-year-olds.

But not on this day. The Beckham STEM lab was quiet, full of eager listeners excited to learn about weather, including several students in costumes for the event 鈥� a cloud, the sun, a rainbow and even a future meteorologist complete with a sport coat, tie and microphone.

Ruiz, an Arlington native and Bowie High School grad, made the special visit to Beckham last week to help 4-year-olds learn about weather and what a meteorologist is.

鈥淚t is so important to talk to kids while they are young about the weather and our environment,鈥� Ruiz said about her Beckham visit. 鈥淭he earlier we learn about our world, the longer time we have to develop a deep love, appreciation and care for it.鈥�

After explaining to the students what she does as a meteorologist 鈥� and finding out that tornados are popular among this demographic 鈥� Ruiz read them a book about different kinds of weather.

鈥淲e see hail in Texas,鈥� she said after reading the hail page.

鈥淭exas! I live in Texas!鈥� one 4-year-old exclaimed.

The visit from Ruiz came at the perfect time as fall rolls in and temperatures drop.

鈥淲e work hard in pre-K to teach our students to be scientists and investigate,鈥� said Beckham pre-K teacher Christy Small. 鈥淲e're currently studying changes in weather and the job of a weather scientist. We [Beckham鈥檚 pre-K classes] watched Mariel's daily forecast leading up to her visit. Such an AMAZING experience to have her visit!鈥�

Her visit wasn鈥檛 just educational, it was also inspirational. She connected with the students in a special way since she grew up in Arlington, went to nearby Hale Elementary and Barnett Junior High and is Hispanic and bilingual like many of Beckham鈥檚 pre-K students.

鈥淚 also loved that she's not a 鈥榳eatherman,鈥� but rather a meteorologist who is also a woman,鈥� Small said. 鈥淏eing Latina was also a wonderful example for all of our Spanish-speaking students.鈥�

Ruiz is well aware of the impact she can have.

鈥淚 believe in the power of education and representation to inspire the next generation of scientists and problem solvers,鈥� Ruiz said. 鈥淏y showing up to schools, I can support and encourage young minds to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, arts and mathematics no matter how different our backgrounds may be.鈥�

Enroll in pre-K today

It鈥檚 not too late to enroll your 3- or 4-year-old in 91制片厂鈥檚 inspirational pre-K, where kids are exploring, investigating, growing and having tons of fun. Visit aisd.net/prek to learn about all of 91制片厂 pre-K programs and to register.

Community-based pre-K taught by 91制片厂 teachers

91制片厂鈥檚 community-based pre-K program for 3-year-olds is the perfect solution for working parents who want their kids to get started on their educational journey but also need full-day childcare.

91制片厂鈥檚 community-based pre-K is a half-day pre-K program for 3-year-olds located in four local childcare centers. By enrolling in pre-K at the childcare center, students receive seamless, convenient day care both before and after the pre-K school day without ever having to leave and go to another care location. Plus, the pre-K program is taught by an 91制片厂 teacher with the same outstanding play-based curriculum, materials and technology used at 91制片厂 campuses. Families do need to pay for the childcare at the community-partner centers.

鈥淥ur community-based centers provide students the opportunity to receive the same instruction and access to learning as students attending on-campus classrooms 鈥� and a safe and nurturing atmosphere designed to promote lifelong learning,鈥� said Connie Pierce and April Davis, 91制片厂 pre-K 3 teachers at community-based centers.

Pierce and Davis explained that the service can be especially helpful for families with financial challenges. Whether it鈥檚 a family with a working single parent or a family dependent on both parents to work outside the home, this program helps these families with childcare and transportation.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about how this partnership with local childcare centers offers a resource for working parents, helps childcare centers with enrollment and allows the district to reach even more 3-year-olds,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 early childhood director.

Community-based partners (see partner details) for 2023-2024 include:

• Child Care Network #259
• Child Care Network #260
• Kids Community Preschool - Arlington
• Kids Community Preschool 鈥� Grand Prairie

Enroll now for Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4

Registration is still open for all 91制片厂 pre-K programs. In addition to community-based pre-K, 91制片厂 offers half-day pre-K for 3-year-olds at many neighborhood schools (see pre-K locator) and has ESL and bilingual options. Pre-K 3 is free for students who qualify, and there is an affordable tuition option for those who do not.

Pre-K for 4-year-olds is FREE for all students and is offered at all 91制片厂 neighborhood elementary schools. With a fun play-based curriculum that incorporates , your child will thrive (learn more).

Register today or learn more at aisd.net/prek.

Pre-K teachers are excited about their students

We asked a few pre-K teachers what they鈥檙e most excited about for the new school year.

Could it be STEM? Or the incredible new curriculum and resources launched last year? Maybe the new outdoor equipment donated by the for pre-K students? Or something else?

But we should have known. They all basically had the same answer. They鈥檙e pre-K teachers, after all, and they鈥檙e all motivated primarily by one thing. They love little kids!

So, it鈥檚 not really a surprise that they all said they鈥檙e most excited to meet and teach their new students. But here鈥檚 a few of them in their own words.

Jeannine Miller, Ellis Elementary pre-K teacher

I am most excited about the new pre-K faces I get to see and all of the new and exciting activities I want to try this year with the kids.

Georgiana Hicks, Moore Elementary ESL pre-K teacher

I love teaching pre-K. It's the best grade to teach in my opinion. I'm always excited to meet my new class of students. It's amazing to help littles learn how to take care of their own things. They get here on the first day and most of them don't know how to hang their backpack on a hook, but soon they are putting their lunch box where it goes, hanging up their backpack, putting their blankets away and cleaning up toys on their own. It's so cool that it just clicks for them and then they are handling things on their own.听

Elizabeth Cortez, Webb pre-K teacher

The Webb pre-K team is most excited about establishing a foundational learning environment where our youngest learners can explore, create and grow as they prepare for kindergarten. We lay this foundation by building relationships with our students and families, practicing social and emotional skills and providing an age-appropriate academic head start.听

Jeanmarie Bryant, South Davis Elementary pre-K teacher

I am excited to have met my new friends for the year and watch them learn and explore.听I love to watch the way they process and learn.听I get to begin with a new group and teach them how to think and express their ideas with words and with pictures.听I love cooperative activities and watching them learn by working with other classmates.听I love pre-K!听听听

Robyn Bigbee, Remynse Elementary听pre-K teacher

I am most excited to see how much my little听pre-K听students can learn this year. It is always amazing to see them grow into independent learners who are ready for kindergarten at the end of the year. My job is very rewarding because I know I am part of the foundation of their future education. I love teaching听pre-K听in 91制片厂. I belong here.听

Hannah Huntsman, Bryant Elementary pre-K teacher

As a new teacher to AISD, I am so excited to be a part of the pre-K program and welcome all my new students very soon!

Maricarmen Allen,听Adams Elementary pre-K teacher

I鈥檓 most excited about seeing my students grow socially and emotionally! This is so crucial for our prekindergarten students!

Kristen Diaz, Swift Elementary pre-K teacher

I am most excited about meeting each of my students, building relationships with them, and watching them learn and grow throughout the year!

Registration is still open

The new year has started, but it鈥檚 not too late to enroll. If you have a 3-year-old or 4-year-old, register them today for 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K, where every one of our pre-K teachers is not only a certified teacher, but they are all motivated by their love for their students.听

Register online and learn more about 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K here.

Pre-K launches students on their educational journey

Today was the very first day of school ever for bunches of 3- and 4-year-olds in the 91制片厂.

It was probably a little hard for them 鈥� and their parents 鈥� to head off to pre-K for the first time. But they鈥檙e going to love it. And they鈥檙e going to get a jumpstart on their education that will not only prepare them for kindergarten but also their entire educational journey.

That鈥檚 because pre-K is so critically important.

It gets children ready to learn, teaches important social and emotional skills and fosters the development of verbal skills and self-control. Pre-K students get a head start on reading and are usually ahead of their peers who wait until kindergarten to start school.

鈥淩esearch demonstrates that high-quality preschool education can substantially increase children鈥檚 chances of succeeding in school and in life,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淚t helps build a strong foundation for kindergarten and sets them up for greater success in many areas of life.鈥�

Here are just a few of the reasons why pre-K is so important for every child.

1) Inspires Learning

Pre-K provides opportunities for children to learn in ways that interest them. 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K programs promote curiosity, creativity and exploration. Children are encouraged to make decisions, ask questions, think and solve through purposeful play.

鈥淲e help pre-K students build a strong literacy foundation and excitement to continue learning,鈥� Orsini said.听鈥淥ur early childhood teachers make learning fun by integrating a variety of games and activities, music, physical movement, arts, read-aloud stories, technology and dramatic play.鈥�

And last year, 91制片厂 took its pre-K curriculum to a whole new level by incorporating STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). STEM in pre-K 4 is all about hands-on discovery. It鈥檚 messy fun that brings learning to life. It鈥檚 about exploring and trying new things. It sparks questions and curiosity and gives kids the chance to pursue that curiosity and find answers to their questions.

2) Supports Social and Emotional Skills

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K helps children learn how to take turns, listen to others without interrupting, follow directions and express their emotions appropriately. Pre-K teachers often teach students songs that help them convey what and how they are feeling.

鈥淧re-K sets the foundation for children to learn how to communicate what they are feeling and how to cope with it,鈥� said Mary Eldredge, the librarian at Kooken Education Center, 91制片厂鈥檚 all-pre-K campus.

Pre-K also helps children learn how to take care of themselves. They learn how to wash their hands, eat by themselves and even keep their personal belongings organized. They learn how to be responsible while also being respectful of others.

3) Creates Community

Community is crucial for early development, and that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to create activities where children learn while interacting with their peers. Examples include asking students to work together to set the table for snack time or to gather materials for an upcoming activity.

In this environment, children learn to problem solve, work together and communicate with each other. They learn how to collaborate with their peers and become a member of a small community.

鈥淚t is our role as educators to build a strong foundation for the growth of our children and equip them with the skills to be kind and compassionate people,鈥� said Kim Higbee, a pre-K teacher at Little Elementary.听

4) Kindergarten Ready

Pre-K graduates are 鈥渒indergarten ready,鈥� equipped to start their educational journey on the right foot. Studies show that children who attend pre-K are 54% more prepared for kindergarten than students who did not.

鈥淧re-K students have an opportunity to practice the foundation of colors, shapes, letters, sounds, numbers and counting,鈥� said Starrett Elementary kindergarten teacher Allison DeBusk.

鈥淗aving these foundational skills when they come to kindergarten definitely helps them with their confidence from the beginning and lets them feel successful. Both of those are so important in children and in building their foundation for learning.鈥�

Children also develop physical coordination and fine motor skills in pre-K. They get many opportunities to work on control of their fingers through art, hands-on activities and many fun projects.

So, when kindergarten comes, they are ready!

6) Long-term Benefits

Pre-K doesn鈥檛 just get kids ready for kindergarten, it sets them up to be successful throughout their academic career and beyond.

Studies show that students who attend pre-K are three times more likely to be proficient readers by third grade, which is essential in determining long-term success in school.

鈥淧re-K students have increased vocabulary, literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They are more likely to be high school graduates and earn higher wages in the workforce,鈥� said Nadia Azari, 91制片厂 early childhood instructional specialist and a former pre-K teacher.

Ninety percent of a child鈥檚 brain is developed by the time they reach six years old, according to the . So, this is the time. Giving 3- and 4-year-olds rich, fun learning opportunities stimulates their developing brains and builds their mental foundation for their entire future.

鈥淣ow we know that stimulating brain growth long before kindergarten can have a massive impact on her future education, her future earnings, and even her future health,鈥� wrote Matthew Hansen of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

Enroll Now

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old who didn鈥檛 head off to school this morning, it鈥檚 not too late. You can still register them for 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K. Learn more and register your child at aisd.net/prek. And check out听听to see what a day in pre-K is really like.

Pre-K and kindergarten teachers unite

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K and kindergarten teachers are ready to rock and roll.

With the start of the new school year just days away, they gathered together this week for a conference full of professional learning and motivation to ensure a great beginning to the new school year.

But this conference looked more like a sock hop than a typical meeting. Leave it to the early childhood learning team to show up in poodle skirts and leather jackets and give out prizes to the teachers with the best 50s outfits.

Despite the fun rock 'n鈥� roll theme and excitement for the new school year, everyone there was very serious about their mission.

鈥淓very student should have a high-quality education,鈥� said early childhood learning director Dr. Jackeline Orsini, preaching to the choir. 鈥淓very child comes with talents and skills. It is our job to give every child the best possible foundation.鈥�

That mission is why this conference included both pre-K and kindergarten teachers together for the first time.

鈥淭his is very significant because this represents the start of a transformational process that we have planned for kindergarten,鈥� Orsini said.

Kindergarten has been added to the early childhood learning department to develop greater cohesion between pre-K and kindergarten.

鈥淲e have intentionally connected pre-K and kindergarten together as an early childhood learning block because there鈥檚 an opportunity to ensure that when kids come to pre-K and move into kindergarten, there鈥檚 an intentional bridge between the two,鈥� said 91制片厂 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz to the teachers at the conference.

Working together and building this bridge will maximize the educational opportunities the two grade levels will be able to offer 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds.

Part of maximizing those opportunities is getting as many little learners enrolled in pre-K as possible. Students who start school in pre-K start kindergarten much more prepared and ready to learn than kids who do not.

That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 has made pre-K such a huge priority, from developing its own, best-in-class curriculum to offering pre-K 4 for free to every child. The goal is to get every child enrolled and then give them the best possible pre-K experience with the most loving teachers out there.

Those efforts are paying off.

鈥淭his is the first year that 99% of new kindergarteners have all been to pre-K,鈥� Wurtz said to the teachers at the conference. 鈥淭hat is something to celebrate 鈥� It accelerates your opportunity as kindergarten teachers to move into the things the students need to learn in kindergarten.鈥�

Whether your child is going into pre-K or kindergarten, in Arlington ID they鈥檙e going to get a fun, purposeful learning experience with outstanding teachers.

If you haven鈥檛 registered your child yet, it鈥檚 not too late. But don鈥檛 wait because school starts Wednesday, Aug. 16. Start the registration process online here, and watch what a typical day in pre-K is like .

It's time to rock and roll.

Be prepared for the first day

Sending your littlest learner to the first day of school is a milestone like no other. Whether it鈥檚 their first day in pre-K or they鈥檙e starting kindergarten, sending your baby off can seem scary and unpredictable. But you and your child are in good hands in the 91制片厂. Yes, you are, too! We have five tips to help walk you through a positive first day of school for the first time!

Establish Routines听

There is no way to sugarcoat it. Starting school for the first time is a big adjustment for you and your child. Building routines at home will help you and your child feel more comfortable starting the school year. These could include bedtime, lunchtime, bathroom or even drop-off routines. The more familiar your child is with the basics, the faster they will adjust, making it an easier transition for both of you. So, practice, practice, practice!听听

Prep the Day Before听

Backpacks stuffed, lunchboxes packed, outfits picked 鈥� you鈥檙e already halfway there. Make the day easier on yourself by preparing as much as possible before the morning begins. Make a fun stop at your favorite store to pick up some new school supplies. You can find elementary school supply lists here. Have a game plan for the first day but be ready to be flexible.听听听

Big It Up听

Make the day like it鈥檚 an occasion 鈥� because it is. Show your child that this is a big and exciting thing. Have them model their first day of school outfit, brand-new backpack and sweet smile. Take photos and make that 鈥渇irst day of school鈥� picture sign. If you post the photos online, be sure to use the hashtag #ArlingtonISD and #WeConnectDayOne. We鈥檇 love to feature your child, too.

At the end of the day, reward them after school with their favorite snack or activity and lots of love.听听

Volunteer听

Get to know your child鈥檚 teachers, friends and environment by getting involved in volunteering opportunities. This is a wonderful way to ease the anxiety of being away from your child while staying connected in the community. At this age, kids love it when their parents participate in school activities, so take advantage of it! You can sign up for volunteering opportunities here.听听

Be Gentle on Yourself听听

Mixed emotions are normal. Be proud of yourself for all that you鈥檝e accomplished as a parent and celebrate the milestone. Tears are welcome in 91制片厂 no matter the age. Planning a day for yourself 鈥� whether it鈥檚 taking the day off or keeping busy 鈥� is also a great way to take care of yourself, too! Remind yourself that everything is going to be just fine. It鈥檚 the beginning of a bright future.听听

From everyone in the 91制片厂, we hope you have a great first day of pre-K or kindergarten!听

If you haven鈥檛 registered your child for pre-K or kindergarten yet, it鈥檚 not too late. But don鈥檛 wait because school starts Wednesday, Aug. 16. Start the registration process online here.

New curriculum launched last year

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program didn鈥檛 have to start over. The district already had a great pre-K curriculum.

But the district鈥檚 early childhood learning department doesn鈥檛 settle for best. A pioneer in education for the littlest learners, 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K team is always searching for the most effective ways to teach and develop 3- and 4-year-olds and to equip and support their teachers.

That鈥檚 why they started from scratch and built a new, innovative curriculum in-house, added a robust institutional resource and implemented STEM. And they introduced it last year in conjunction with the launch of universal pre-K 4, which means all 4-year-olds go to pre-K in the 91制片厂 for free.

鈥淲e revamped the entire curriculum,鈥� said Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, 91制片厂 early childhood learning coordinator. 鈥淲e made sure there was seamless alignment between our and the new instructional resource , we connected STEM and we ensured integration across all domains.鈥�

They developed the scope and sequence, a year-at-a-glance, units and bundles and lots of instructional documents that help the pre-K teachers plan and execute the curriculum.

So, what does all that educational jargon mean?

It means 91制片厂 has an innovative curriculum that inspires kids to learn and gets them ready for kindergarten and the rest of their educational journey. Here鈥檚 more about three of the curriculum鈥檚 major strategic components: play, Savvas and STEM.

Still play-based

What hasn鈥檛 changed in the curriculum is that play is still central to everything they do in pre-K.

鈥淧lay is the natural way children learn,鈥� D铆az said. 鈥淚t sparks that curiosity and also builds the foundation to later build on specific concepts.鈥�

The play is purposefully and strategically incorporated into the curriculum and is designed to foster curiosity and encourage learning. Purposeful play in pre-K is detailed, intentional, engaging, data-driven and differentiated based on the learner.

鈥淎 child loves exploring and discovering and will be engaged in anything that is fun where they can play,鈥� said Betania Payan, a pre-K teacher at Goodman Elementary. 鈥淓verything is done with the intention of teaching them practical skills they need to grow socially, physically and academically.鈥�

New instructional resource

As part of the new curriculum, 91制片厂 introduced Savvas as its main instructional resource.

鈥淪avvas is a great supplemental resource that has different components to enhance our daily instruction,鈥� said South Davis Elementary pre-K teacher Sandra Regalado.

It includes all kinds of tools that help with every subject, from math and literacy to emotions and assessments.

鈥淪avvas offers books, games, ideas for centers, and it鈥檚 easy to follow,鈥� Payan said. 鈥淚t has chants, themes, vocabulary cards, teacher guides, assessment tools, small group/intervention tools, etc.鈥�

One of those tools is Centergize, which includes resources for more than 20 small group stations that can be incorporated in the classroom.

Centergize uses the power of small groups to spark imaginations and develop a variety of skills.

鈥淪mall group instruction is designed to target a specific skill or standard that is either extended from a whole group lesson or introduced as an entirely new lesson,鈥� said Ken Foster, 91制片厂 early childhood learning instructional specialist. 鈥淭he idea of small groups is to hone the skills required to be learned with trial and error.鈥�

From sand and building blocks to arts and crafts, Centergize stations help provide tons of fun learning opportunities all year long.

STEM in pre-K

Another big change in the pre-K curriculum was the addition of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for 4-year-olds.

鈥淲e are the only district in Texas with STEM in all pre-K 4 classrooms,鈥� Diaz said.

STEM in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K is a听philosophy听about making the lessons relevant to the real-world. It鈥檚 about providing hands-on activities that let kids participate in their own learning.

鈥淲e are integrating STEM through the whole day of instruction in all subject areas,鈥� Regalado said.

鈥淲e incorporate STEM in almost everything we do,鈥� Payan said. 鈥淚t is about being more intentional in the planning and activities we choose.鈥�

STEM activities involve touching things, experimenting, exploring and seeing how stuff works. They are purposefully designed to spark questions and curiosity. It鈥檚 often messy, and it鈥檚 always fun that brings learning to life.

鈥淪tudents enjoy all the different hands-on activities,鈥� Regalado said. 鈥淚t makes them think and ask questions to go deeper in a subject.鈥�

Register Now

All the play, all the STEM, all the curriculum planning 鈥� it鈥檚 all about the student. It鈥檚 all about ensuring your child develops the foundation they need to succeed in kindergarten and life. It鈥檚 about making sure they have fun, learn, grow, develop and thrive.

If you haven鈥檛 signed your child up for pre-K yet, it鈥檚 not too late. But don鈥檛 wait. Registration is open online and in-person at schools (check the in-person schedule) now. And the first day of school is Aug. 16.

If you have any pre-K questions, please contact the pre-K team at prekquestions@aisd.net or听(682) 867-9418.

Pre-K students love wearing safety goggles

In 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K, 4-year-olds are real scientists.

鈥淭hey especially like it when they wear safety goggles,鈥� said Vicky Miller, a pre-K teacher at Dunn Elementary. 鈥淭hey really feel like scientists then.鈥�

They feel like it because it鈥檚 true.

Last year, 91制片厂 introduced a new innovative pre-K 4 curriculum that features STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and launches little learners on a journey of discovery.

So, what does STEM at the pre-K level look like?

Like an exploding snowman.

That was one of Miller鈥檚 class鈥檚 favorite STEM projects.

It鈥檚 a bag of baking soda. But then they poured vinegar on the baking soda, and it puffed up like a snowman.

鈥淭hey thought that was amazing,鈥� Miller said.

STEM in pre-K comes in a variety of ways, from exploding snowmen and other science experiments and observations in the school鈥檚 STEM labs 鈥� every 91制片厂 elementary school has two STEM labs 鈥� to STEM stations in the classroom and a big family project that the kids do with parents at home.

But it all fits squarely into the district鈥檚 play-based curriculum.

鈥淥ur pre-K curriculum allows preschool children many types of play throughout the day,鈥� early childhood director Dr. Jackeline Orsini said. 鈥淥ur daily lesson plans allow children to participate in physical, cognitive, language and social play through structured and non-structured activities.鈥�

And STEM is now a big part of that.

STEM in pre-K isn鈥檛 just a list of activities done in a lab with safety glasses though.

It鈥檚 a philosophy about making the lessons relevant to the real-world. It鈥檚 about providing hands-on activities that let kids participate in their own learning. And it鈥檚 about integration. In other words, you don鈥檛 teach each concept in isolation. You combine them in activities that allow students to make real-world connections.

And they are all activities that feel like playing to a 4-year-old.

STEM activities involve touching things, experimenting and seeing how stuff works. They are purposefully designed to spark questions and curiosity and give kids the chance to pursue that curiosity and find answers to their own questions.

And it鈥檚 fun! It鈥檚 often messy fun that brings learning to life. It鈥檚 about exploring and trying new things. And fun is key in getting kids excited to learn.

鈥淎 lot of times we are exploring,鈥� Miller said.

Not as casual observers, she explained, but really studying things, like the properties of matter and chemical reactions.

STEM is incorporated into daily classroom activities, too, with STEM stations. Miller鈥檚 class has STEM buckets full of fun manipulatives like blocks, Legos, dominos, magnets and more. Students get to free-play with these, build, explore and imagine.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of their highlights,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淪ometimes they might rather do STEM buckets than go to recess!鈥�

Come explore with us

If in pre-K sounds a little daunting for your future student, don鈥檛 worry. If they love to play with LEGOs, Play-Doh, build things (or take things apart), and have a natural curiosity about everything, they will love STEM.

Plus, it鈥檚 free! 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K for 4-year-olds is open to everyone at no cost. Registration is open online now. Visit听aisd.net/prek听to learn more and register.

Free backpacks and fun

鈥淚鈥檓 nervous, Mommy,鈥� whispered a 4-year-old girl getting ready to start pre-K at Ashworth Elementary School.

She was standing in line with her mother at 91制片厂鈥檚 annual Pre-K Palooza waiting for assistance with pre-K registration. The Palooza鈥檚 free backpacks, free books, dance music and fun games hadn鈥檛 convinced her yet that starting pre-K was a good idea.

But her mother knows it鈥檚 the right thing.

鈥淪he is starting pre-K for the first time, and I wanted to make sure I jump through every hoop that I need to jump in so she鈥檚 ready for school,鈥� she said.

That鈥檚 exactly what Pre-K Palooza 鈥� held yesterday at Adams Elementary 鈥� was for. 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning staff, along with several pre-K teachers, helped families get their 3- and 4-year-olds as well as kindergarteners registered for school. There were also games, snow cones, free school supplies, high fives from the early childhood mascot and a bunch of community partners with important information and resources for families.

While it was a fun event, Dara Cunningham didn鈥檛 have to be there. She鈥檚 a pre-K 3 teacher at Fitzgerald Elementary, and she鈥檚 still on summer break. But she and fellow Fitzgerald pre-K teacher Alex Castillo believe it鈥檚 so important to get every 3- and 4-year-old into pre-K.

鈥淚 just wanted to come help,鈥� Cunningham said about volunteering to help parents with registration.

鈥淧re-K is a foundation,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e compare it a lot to building a house. If you don鈥檛 have the foundation, your structure is off. It鈥檚 super important for pre-K children to be in school to start learning about school, making those connections and building on what they need to know for their life.鈥�

That鈥檚 really what pre-K is about 鈥� building those skills the kids will need for their entire educational journey.

鈥淚t鈥檚 social skills, academic skills and language,鈥� said Ana Biederstedt at Pre-K Palooza. Biederstedt is a 12-year pre-K teaching veteran who is now an instructional specialist for the district鈥檚 early childhood learning department.

鈥淧re-K is not just an opportunity for little ones to learn the basics, from early literacy, math, social studies or science,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity for kids to start talking with other kids, socialize, develop those communication and social skills that are so important before they start learning the basics of literacy or math.鈥�

Those are the kinds of skills that the soon-to-be Ashworth student is about to learn. And lucky for her, she鈥檚 going to learn those skills by having fun. That鈥檚 because 91制片厂鈥檚 innovative pre-K curriculum is built on play.

鈥淭hrough music, through movement, through our STEM program, kids get an opportunity to explore, to create, to socialize, to have fun, to laugh 鈥� but at the same time they are learning as well,鈥� Orsini said.

Missed Pre-K Palooza?

If you missed Pre-K Palooza, that鈥檚 ok. You still have time to register your child for pre-K.

But don鈥檛 wait.

鈥淚 highly recommend to parents to register their kids as soon as possible,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淏ecause in the weeks leading up to the first day, you want your focus to be on helping your little one get ready.鈥�

So, get all the registration stuff 鈥� the documents and forms 鈥� done as soon as possible, so your only focus is on making sure your child has a great start to school.

Plus, you have to be registered to attend the meet-the-teacher event, which is really helpful for 3s and 4s. It鈥檚 good for them 鈥� and you 鈥� to see the school and meet the teacher before the first day.

You can start the registration process online now. Then it can be completed in person at the school. Dates and times for in-person registration are posted here.

If you have any questions about pre-K, please feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Don鈥檛 forget tomorrow is Pre-K Palooza!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r88_usGwkb4[/embed]

Join us tomorrow for 91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-K Palooza to register your 3- or 4-year old for pre-K or your new kindergartener and have lots of fun together! Kids will have a great time and you鈥檒l receive in-person registration assistance and resources from community partners.

.

Here鈥檚 what you need to know:

When: July 19, 11 a.m. 鈥� 6 p.m.

Where: Adams Elementary ()

What: FUN and registration help

• Registration support for pre-K and kindergarten
• Free backpacks and school supplies for the first 150 who register for school
• Free books from the 91制片厂 library services department
• Peter Piper Pizza coupons
• A chance to meet the new early childhood mascot
• Games and raffle prizes

Families will also receive resources from community partners like:

• Cook Children鈥檚 Health Plan
• Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
• Tarrant County Public Health
• Tarrant County Kids
• The Parenting Center
• Arlington Charities
• And more.

Registration Support

School clerks will be on hand to walk you through the registration process. Be sure to bring the documents you need, and we can make copies on site. Pre-K staff will also be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Documents needed to register new students include:

• Student's original birth certificate
• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water, or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
• Current immunization record
• Student's Social Security card

Documents required for returning students include:

• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian

See you at Pre-K Palooza! .

Pre-K registration is also available online听here.

Pre-K Palooza makes registration fun!

Join us next week for 91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-K Palooza to register your 3- or 4-year old for pre-K or your new kindergartener and have lots of fun together! Kids will have a great time and you鈥檒l receive in-person registration assistance and resources from community partners.

.

Here鈥檚 what you need to know:

When: July 19, 11 a.m. 鈥� 6 p.m.

Where: Adams Elementary ()

What: FUN and registration help

• Registration support for pre-K and kindergarten
• Free backpacks and school supplies for the first 150 who register for school
• Free books from the 91制片厂 library services department
• Peter Piper Pizza coupons
• A chance to meet the new early childhood mascot
• Games and raffle prizes

Families will also receive resources from community partners like:

• Cook Children鈥檚 Health Plan
• Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
• Tarrant County Public Health
• Tarrant County Kids
• The Parenting Center
• Arlington Charities
• And more.

Registration Support

School clerks will be on hand to walk you through the registration process. Be sure to bring the documents you need, and we can make copies on site. Pre-K staff will also be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Documents needed to register new students include:

• Student's original birth certificate
• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID, or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water, or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian
• Current immunization record
• Student's Social Security card

Documents required for returning students include:

• Photo ID of parent/guardian: Driver's license, state or international ID or passport
• Proof of address: Current gas, water or electricity bill OR mortgage or lease agreement in the name of the parent/guardian

See you at Pre-K Palooza! .

Pre-K registration is also available online听here.

Universal pre-K welcomes all 4-year-olds

When Berry Elementary School鈥檚 pre-K 4 students made their way across the graduation stage last month, it marked the end of the first year of universal pre-K in 91制片厂.

鈥淚n 91制片厂 we believe that each child deserves access to high-quality education,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning.

That鈥檚 why the district instituted universal pre-K for the first time last school year so that every 4-year-old can go to pre-K for free.

鈥淚 feel honored to work at a school district that believes in equity and proud to have led this significant project,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淲e are making a difference in the lives of many kids and families who need access to free preschool education.鈥�

Berry principal Rose Ravin has seen that difference firsthand. Watching the progression of the students from the first day of school through graduation is what makes pre-K in 91制片厂 truly remarkable, Ravin explained.

鈥淭his year was an exciting time for our Berry pre-K learners,鈥� Ravin said. 鈥淪itting back and reflecting on the growth of our learners academically, socially and emotionally has been amazing. Our pre-K classes provided an environment of student engagement inside and outside of the classroom.鈥�

It鈥檚 not just that every child now has access to free pre-K that makes 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program so impactful. It鈥檚 that the pre-K program these students get to attend every day is outstanding. And most importantly, it is led by dedicated, loving and certified teachers.

鈥淥ur teachers laid the foundation, inspiring and sparking the interest of our students and setting them on the road of discovery and learning,鈥� Ravin said. 鈥淟ook out world, here they come!鈥�

Berry pre-K 4 ESL teacher Stephanie Cox has also seen the impact that universal pre-K and the district鈥檚 new pre-K 4 STEM curriculum have made on their littlest learners.

鈥淚t is amazing how much they grow and learn over a school year!鈥� Cox said. 鈥淚n my experience, having universal pre-K is certainly a game changer for young children. It is one of the greatest benefits that we can offer the community that we serve. Having children who are getting a firm foundation in their educational journey is paramount to future success.鈥�

Register Now

The first year of universal pre-K is now over, but the next one starts Aug. 16. And your child can be a part of it! 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K for 4-year-olds is open and free to every child. You just need to register.

Registration is now open online for pre-K 4 and pre-K 3 at aisd.net/preK. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net. And learn more about what a day in pre-K is really like .听

Crystal Apple Awards

Child Care Associates honored several 91制片厂 pre-K 3 teachers this month with Crystal Apple Awards. The Crystal Apple Award is equivalent to the teacher of the year. CCA is one of the largest child development nonprofits in North Texas and has served more than half a million young children in the past 53 years.

鈥淚n 91制片厂, we are honored to be able to take care of and teach thousands of preschoolers from our community,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淜nowing that we have the best teachers leading our pre-K program in a caring, playful and safe learning environment is a matter of pride. We鈥檙e so grateful for the commitment our teachers have to educate every child with excellence.鈥�

The Crystal Apple winners include:

• Tammy Dutton, teacher, and Ethel Sewell, teaching assistant, from Kooken Educational Center
• Lindsey Leal, teacher, Tamara Jones, teacher, and LaShay Simon, teaching assistant, from Abram 91制片厂 Head Start

鈥淢s. Dutton and Ms. Sewell make a great collaborative team!鈥� said Kooken principal Elizabeth Huebner. 鈥淭hey set specific expectations for students and families while consistently elevating their standards throughout the year. They are intentional in their planning and it shows through their instruction, as well as student achievement.鈥�

Leal, Jones and Simon teach at one of the district鈥檚 community-based Head Start programs. Through the Head Start and 91制片厂 partnership 鈥� and these teacher鈥檚 dedication and hard work 鈥� students not only get a fun learning experience in the classroom, they and their families also receive support through parenting classes, counseling sessions, outdoor education and more.

Best in CLASS

The Crystal Apple award winners were selected largely based on scores, an assessment that looks at effective and engaging interactions between the teaching staff and students in the classroom in the areas of emotional and instructional support, as well as classroom organization.

鈥淲e know that high-quality early education classrooms are warm and positive environments, emotionally safe, have strong procedures and systems, a clear behavior management plan and are rigorous,鈥� said Allison McCollum, CCA pre-K coordinator. 鈥淓ffective teacher-child interactions have a huge impact on student development cognitively, socially and behaviorally.鈥�

The teachers were honored at a community reception with campus, district and community leadership.

Learn more about the best-in-class pre-K 3 programs at Kooken and at our community-based pre-K partners.

It鈥檚 all about little learners at Kooken Educational Center. In fact, Kooken is the only school in the 91制片厂 dedicated exclusively to only one grade level 鈥� pre-K for 3-year-olds.听

But that鈥檚 not the only thing that makes Kooken so special.

鈥淲hat makes Kooken special is our ability to serve, make connections and design all learning experiences for our 3-year-olds and their families,鈥� said Kooken principal Elizabeth Huebner.

Even though there is only one grade level at Kooken, there are four different pre-K 3 programs at the school to make sure there is a perfect place for every child.

• Free half-day pre-K 3鈥�� This is 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K for 3-year-olds. It鈥檚 a half-day of fun, exploration and learning. It鈥檚 free for families who qualify.
• Bilingual pre-K鈥赌撯赌�Bilingual pre-K鈥痠s for native Spanish speakers. Teachers speak both Spanish and English and teach in both languages.
• Head Start pre-K PLUS鈥�� This is a鈥�unique program鈥痶hat combines the services of 91制片厂 and Head Start to provide a child-centered, play-focused education while also offering resources that support parents. This is the only pre-K 3 program that is full-day, and families must qualify.
• Tuition Based pre-K 3鈥�� This is for families who don鈥檛 qualify for the free program, when space allows. It鈥檚 the most affordable pre-K out there and it鈥檚 still the same great half-day of fun and learning.

WHY PRE-K 3?

鈥淓arly childhood learning is crucial for building a strong foundation for students鈥� futures, both academically and socially,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淭hrough rich learning experiences, they experience valuable socialization skills and develop a strong and critical academic foundation.鈥�

Parents who enroll their children into pre-K 3 give their child a jump start on their peers.

鈥淜ids get their foundation in pre-K 3,鈥� said Staci Nelson, a former pre-K teacher at Kooken. 鈥淭hey learn to self-regulate and learn how to be learners. When they move on to pre-K 4, they will be prepared for full-day study.鈥�

Pre-K 3 lays that foundation for a lifetime of success.

鈥淪eeing where the little ones begin in August and where they are in May is amazing,鈥� Nelson said.

The biggest reason the students experience such tremendous growth is because of the outstanding teachers and the opportunities they provide.

鈥淥ur teachers also provide such rich and bountiful opportunities extending past the classroom walls 鈥� through the STREAM Maker lab, Outdoor Classroom and pre-K yoga 鈥� while still focusing on social-emotional skills,鈥� said Stephanie Ross, Kooken鈥檚 instructional coach.

KOOKEN FAMILY

Even with four different pre-K 3 programs, Kooken is one big family and does a lot to build community.

"When families walk through our doors, they are part of the Koala family, or what we like to call ourselves, the SUPER (Supportive, Unified, Positive, Engaging and Responsible) Dream Team,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淓very faculty member assists in family engagement. Whether it is enrollment, parenting classes, family nights or learning experiences.鈥�

JOIN THE FAMILY

Join the Kooken family and register your 3-year-old for pre-K at Kooken today. You can start the process online鈥�here鈥痮r make an appointment to visit the school. You can also check out Kooken's YouTube channel .

Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at鈥�aisd.net/prek鈥痑nd feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

And check out this post with lots of important dates and details about pre-K registration.

Find out what pre-K classrooms are like

Everything in 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K program is strategic 鈥� designed to inspire learning. That鈥檚 why every detail in pre-K classrooms was intentionally designed to launch our littlest learners on a lifelong journey of exploration and learning.

鈥淚n 91制片厂, we strive to create a magical learning experience for all of our pre-K students,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of early childhood learning.

PLAY

That magic starts in the classroom, which is designed to accommodate our new students and give them lots of opportunities to play. Play is how young children learn. They are innately curious, and they feed and foster that curiosity through play.

鈥淥ur pre-K curriculum allows preschool children many types of play throughout the day,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淥ur daily lesson plans allow children to participate in physical, cognitive, language and social play through structured and non-structured activities.鈥�

To promote that kind of purposeful play, each pre-K classroom鈥檚 design, furniture and toys enhance the curriculum and foster fun, creativity and exploration. Teachers help direct the play and use it to teach all kinds of lessons.

鈥淥ur classrooms are equipped with amazing early childhood resources that promote student engagement,鈥� Orsini said.听鈥淲ith thoughtfully designed lesson plans, activities, use of resources and fun learning centers, children flow from one activity to the next with a sense of purpose. They really have fun! The classroom library, block center, kids kitchen, math center, science station, book nook, dramatic play corner, sensory table, Lego wall and art center are just some of the many activities that students are invited to explore on a daily basis.鈥�

To give you an idea of what each classroom is like, here鈥檚 a little tour of some of the elements of the pre-K classroom that make a big impact in a child鈥檚 learning adventure.

TINY FURNITURE

You can鈥檛 just put pre-K students in a regular classroom. Everything is too big! So, 91制片厂 pre-K rooms have small chairs, stools and tables sized just right for threes and fours. The furniture is flexible, allowing for a variety of seating options because they get used for lots of different activities. The tables and chairs are perfect for group learning activities and help children build social skills with their peers.听

Most rooms also have a water fountain at the students鈥� height, along with a sink and bathroom. The bathroom is a must for this age group to prevent those unwanted accidents and to help teachers maintain constant supervision. They also help minimize interruptions to teachers鈥� lesson plans, which means more time for the children to learn and play.

CLASSROOM LEARNING CENTERS

Each classroom is set up in learning centers to promote literacy, math, science and social-emotional learning. Pre-K students spend their day playing, singing and learning to gain skills that ultimately help them learn to read, write and build their math and science skills. Students also learn school-readiness skills and practice skills taught by the teacher every day. Pre-K teachers are very creative and implement all kinds of activities at each learning center to maximize learning opportunities. Some of the most popular learning centers include:

• Dramatic Play Center

The dramatic play center includes fun-sized versions of items you find at home, like kitchen sets and dollhouses, filled with diverse baby dolls, that promote role-playing. Dramatic play encourages creativity, self-expression and knowledge of the community.

• Literacy Center听

The literacy center is a quiet area where pre-K students practice reading in many ways. Kids explore their interests and have fun reading colorful stories that trigger their imaginations.

• Math Center

The math center is a special corner where kids learn how to use manipulatives, such as numbers, counters, blocks and geometric shapes to count, sort, add and subtract and build mathematical thinking skills.

• Free Choice Centers

Free choice centers allow less structured play time where kids get to pick their own activities from choices the teacher provides. These centers help develop creativity and imagination during crafts or pretend play.

• The Safe Place

The Safe Place is a cozy spot where kids can go sit if they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or just not having the best day. Students can look in the mirror while practicing breathing techniques and reciting affirmations to calm them down. Calming books, feeling buddies and other relaxation materials are also at the center to help kids cope with any difficult emotions. Learning fundamental academic skills are important, but it鈥檚 also important to help kids develop strong emotional and mental health at a young age. Teaching them now makes a huge difference in how they handle difficult situations as they grow up.

PRINT RICH

Creating a print-rich literacy environment in the classroom is an important component of early literacy development. Teachers put signs and labels on nearly every object so students start to associate the objects and pictures they see with the words they see and hear. This helps them learn to read, write and spell at a much faster rate. Signs go on everything from cubby holders and lockers to chairs and toys.听

STEM LABS听听听听

Science and math have always been an important part of 91制片厂 pre-K, but now STEM is infused in the pre-K 4 curriculum. Our pre-K students take advantage of the STEM labs at every elementary school and learn and discover through hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiments and lessons.

OUTSIDE

Discovery doesn鈥檛 just happen inside. Outside is a classroom, too, with all kinds of games and activities. When classroom sensory tables are filled with water or sand, kids turn into little explorers as they dive into the daily lessons.

Playgrounds are a great learning space, too. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, all elementary schools are getting new playgrounds. The new playgrounds are rock- and wood-free and have a soft rubber surface for safety to protect against those inevitable falls. Plus, they all have shade structures and accessible play equipment.

REGISTER NOW

Pre-K in the 91制片厂 is key to getting 3- and 4-year-olds off to a great start. Check out all of our best-in-class听pre-K programs,听and see what a day in pre-K is like in . Then head back to aisd.net/pre-k to register. Feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

And check out听this post听with lots of important dates and details about pre-K registration.

All Aboard for fun!

Can registering for school actually be fun?

Yes! It is if you鈥檙e going into pre-K or kindergarten in the 91制片厂 and come to the All Aboard! registration event this Saturday.

The event at McNutt Elementary, from 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, is open to any family interested in signing up for 91制片厂鈥檚 best-in-class kindergarten or pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds. Of course, there will be support from 91制片厂 employees to help with registration, along with resources and information from other district departments and community partners.

All of that is good. But then there is the fun!

Train rides, obstacle courses and games for your little learners! A photo booth, prizes, giveaways and free snacks. Plus, free backpacks filled with supplies for the first 50 to register. What better way to get your child excited to start school!

鈥淭his will be the perfect event to enroll your 3-, 4, or 5-year-old child before summer starts,鈥� said early childhood director Dr. Jackeline Orsini. 鈥�91制片厂 will assist all families with the registration process while kids enjoy all the free things and events that we have planned for our future pre-K and kindergarten students.鈥�

Pre-K

91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K has always been great, but it chugged to new heights this year. It鈥檚 now free for all 4-year-olds! Plus, the play-based curriculum now incorporates听STEM in pre-K 4. It鈥檚 Full STEM Ahead! with science, technology, engineering and math!

Learn more about the district鈥檚 pre-K programs for threes and fours, and register online at听aisd.net/pre-K. You can also see what a day in the life of a pre-K student is like .

Kindergarten

Fun is the name of the game in 91制片厂鈥檚 kindergarten. But it鈥檚 a very specific, strategic kind of fun that inspires learning. Kindergarten students get a full day of excitement with lots of fun activities all aligned to a very strong curriculum. Learn more and register online at aisd.net/kindergarten.

What is pre-K really like?

What is a day in 91制片厂 pre-K like?

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun learning,鈥� said Jennifer Pettiford, McNutt Elementary School pre-K teacher. 鈥淲hen they come to a pre-K class, they鈥檙e going to be doing interactive learning. That means hands-on.鈥�

You can read about it, but you really have to see it. Check out the听听below to see what a day is really like in 91制片厂 pre-K.

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Innovative, play-based curriculum

It鈥檚 a full day of learning through an innovative, play-based curriculum.

鈥淚t鈥檚 play-based to initiate creativity and exploration of their imagination,鈥� said Nadia Azari, an 91制片厂 pre-K instructional specialist.

With whole group activities, small group activities, music, art, free choice time, reading, math and science, the fun 鈥� and learning 鈥� never stops. Plus, there鈥檚 playing with friends, lunch, recess on the playground and a rest time.

And the best part for parents: it鈥檚 free! 91制片厂鈥檚 pre-K for 4-year-olds is now universal. That means any 4-year-old can attend for free. Students no longer must meet eligibility requirements. So, register now.

Registration is now open

Registration for pre-K and kindergarten is now open. You can start the process online听here听or visit the school your child will attend. Learn more at听aisd.net/prek听and feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

And check out听this post听with lots of important dates and details about pre-K registration.

Get help with registration at Signing Day

Don鈥檛 forget today is Pre-K and Kindergarten Signing Day!

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There鈥檚 no bigger deal than starting pre-K or kindergarten! That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 is hosting its first Pre-K/Kinder Signing Day this evening from 5-7 p.m. at your child鈥檚 school. Your child is starting a new, exciting chapter in their lives, so come out for a chance to celebrate this momentous milestone and get your child registered.

It鈥檚 going to be a lot of fun. Just like high school athletes declare their college choice and sign a letter of intent, your child will get to sign a certificate declaring their status as a rising pre-K or kindergarten student. You鈥檒l get a fun photo of your child declaring their intent to learn and grow!

Not sure what school your child is going to attend? Visit the school locator here.

Tonight will also be a great opportunity for your family to walk the school building for the first time and visit the pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. Meet teachers and school staff and check out the amazing student artwork on display. You鈥檒l get a sneak peek at how our incredible teachers blend fun with world-class learning opportunities. Plus, you can get help and support with completing the registration for your child.

Registration for pre-K and kindergarten opened online yesterday here. Find our more details and important dates here.

Peach Elementary students get first look at outdoor equipment

Last September the awarded the with a $100,000 grant for the district to use for pre-K students.

Monday morning that grant money was in action as pre-K students at Peach Elementary got their first look at the new outdoor equipment that will be used to help pre-K students develop physically and hone their athletic skills.

And while it was too chilly for the students to use the equipment outside, it didn鈥檛 stop them from swinging for the fences with the new T-ball setup, soaring through the air to try to dunk a basketball or swivel their little hips to keep a Hula Hoop from hitting the ground.

If Monday鈥檚 preview was a sign of things to come, the equipment will be a big hit throughout the district.

鈥淏y us providing these types of opportunities here, I feel like it鈥檚 an added value for what we do for our community besides the education,鈥� said 91制片厂 early childhood learning director Dr. Jackeline Orsini. 鈥淚nspiring them at this age, you never know who is going to be the next baseball player and play for the Texas Rangers. Maybe that dream started at this level.鈥�

The students at Peach were the first to use the equipment, but they鈥檒l soon have company. Orsini expects all the elementary schools to have the new equipment at their campuses by the middle of March.

The equipment will get plenty of use from the pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 students, too. Not only will they use it outside for recess, but it will give schools better options for field days for the little learners. After-school providers will also have access to the equipment to keep the young students engaged.

There鈥檚 also an educational twist to the equipment. At the T-ball area, which was manned by former Texas Rangers player , each base also had a number on it so the students can work on their counting. That鈥檚 all part of the plan.

鈥淚n our program, we believe a lot in outdoor learning,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to make sure we integrate the athletic part with the instruction. We鈥檙e going to integrate math and literacy as well.鈥�

Members of the Rangers Baseball Foundation have been making the rounds to see the grants in use.

鈥淎nytime you get a chance to see students utilizing the resources that they鈥檝e been given and to see the smiles on their faces is priceless for us,鈥� said Ray Casas, the Rangers director of community impact. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so happy to be able to have that kind of impact on the community. We knew we were going to be able to impact a lot of organizations like the 91制片厂 Education Foundation.鈥�

Outdoor learning offers lots of benefits

For pre-K students in the 91制片厂, the great outdoors is an extension of their classroom. These 3- and 4-year-olds are taking advantage of the perfect Texas fall weather, using parachutes, exercise mats and more to learn outside of the classroom. And they鈥檙e having a lot of fun while doing it.听

Outdoor learning can have significant benefits on students like improving their focus and social interactions with other children. Students also develop their gross and fine motor skills through outside play.

鈥淵ou get to see kids become more adventurous, take bigger risks with their body movement and even improve their balance all while having fun,鈥� said Serena Webb, Bryant Elementary pre-K teacher. 鈥淲e get a lot of opportunities to develop fine motor skills in the classroom, and gross motor skills can be developed more outside. We want to focus on the big moves that make them stronger like hopping, jumping and skipping.鈥�

Before Webb and her teaching assistant take the kiddos outside, they explain the game they are going to play so the little ones are all on the same page. Then, the kids walk outside with their body buddies to have some fun practicing letter sounds and getting fit. Getting a bunch of four-year-olds outside to play is an adventure all by itself.

鈥淲e just try to give them a different experience at school by giving them opportunities for exploration and teamwork,鈥� said Kimberly Bryant, pre-K teacher at Bryant Elementary. 鈥淕etting them outside to experience the environment around them is important because they might not be getting outdoor learning at home. With tablets and computers, it鈥檚 easy for kids to watch shows or play online while they鈥檙e at home. We like to switch it up.鈥�

Working together as a team to master a skill or game is a big element of outdoor learning. In pre-K, independence is emphasized so students can learn to do simple tasks on their own. But when it comes to outdoor learning, kids learn the concept of team-building and social skills that will carry over into higher grade levels.

While physical movement is already integrated into students鈥� daily schedules, now it will be enhanced thanks to a generous grant from the to buy outdoor learning equipment for pre-K. Get ready for more t-balls, soccer balls, hula hoops and just about everything you can imagine a four-year-old wants while browsing through Target.

Students at Bryant Elementary have gone on nature walks and bunny hunts to spot different animals and elements in nature. Webb and Bryant also like to take their kiddos outside to enjoy the weather under the gazebo and get them excited for snack time.

And who doesn鈥檛 love going outside to enjoy a good pack of animal crackers and juice box?

In 91制片厂, pre-K is loads of fun in and out of the classroom. If you鈥檙e ready to sign your little one up for a good time, head to aisd.net/prek for more information. Adventure awaits!