Readiness Guides

Welcome to kindergarten in Highline Public Schools! We believe a strong home and school partnership will help your child learn best.

Kindergarten Readiness Guides

Parents and families have a very important role as their child's first teachers. Children learn in different ways and at different rates. We encourage you to work with your child at home. To help, we've created the Kindergarten Readiness Guides, which highlight some of the skills children need to be prepared for kindergarten. The below guides are designed to help families prepare children for school.

Readiness guides do not need to be completed and turned in at the school. It is for you to keep as a guide to help your child be prepared for kindergarten.

Save the Date for Jump Start

We can’t wait to meet our new students! Kindergarten is a big milestone for your child, filled with new adventures, learning opportunities and probably some nerves too. Jump Start helps ease that transition. It’s a three-day program in August for children entering kindergarten in September.

Benefits to Students, Families and Teachers

Jump Start provides a gentle and engaging introduction to school. This exposure helps ease first-day anxieties for both children and their families.
It provides school staff with information about students' learning needs, allowing teachers to plan individualized instruction during the important early months of kindergarten.
It gives families an opportunity to meet staff, discuss kindergarten readiness, and receive educational support for helping their students become school-ready.
It provides an opportunity to connect students with district resources such as nursing staff and school counselors.

Program Details

Duration: Three days, three hours each day.
Eligibility: Open to all incoming kindergarten students registered at a Highline elementary school. Activities: Children will get to know their future kindergarten teacher, classmates, and daily routines, like waiting in line, finding their desks, meal routines and more.
Family Involvement: Families are not in the classroom with students, but each school schedules a family meeting on one of the three days while students are participating in Jump Start activities. (The timing may vary by school.) At this meeting, families can learn about the school, kindergarten readiness, and how to support their child's learning. You can find school-specific details on your school’s kindergarten welcome page.

Expectations

While Jump Start isn’t required, we recommend all enrolled children attend to maximize their readiness and confidence. Students who attend Jump Start arrive on the first day of school ready to learn, having already familiarized themselves with their new environment and school routines. This preparation helps reduce first-day jitters and sets the stage for a successful start to kindergarten. Families should plan for their child to attend all three days. We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families!
Students can ride the bus to school or be transported by their families. If riding the bus, families should plan to wait with their children and help them get on the bus. A staff member will meet students when they arrive to escort them to their classroom.
Families are encouraged to attend the family meeting (which will be scheduled on one of the three days).

Jump Start is Wednesday, August 21 to Friday, August 23, 2024.

Check out your School Kindergarten page + Jump Start Times

Beverly Park Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Bow Lake Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Cedarhurst Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Des Moines Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Gregory Heights Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Hazel Valley Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Hilltop Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Highline Virtual Elementary School | 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Madrona Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Marvista Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
McMicken Heights Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Midway Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Mount View Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
North Hill Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Parkside Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Seahurst Elementary School | 8:45 a.m. -11:45
Shorewood Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
White Center Heights Elementary School | 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

School pages will have information on school-specific events like meet and greets and school tours!

Readiness Guides

If you have questions about the document, please contact Kathy Emerick.

Questions?

If you have any questions about kindergarten, please contact your school office.

School offices are closed during the month of July. If you need enrollment support during July, please contact the family center at 206.631.3003.

Health & Safety

Your child's health and safety are important to us.

If your child has a potentially life-threatening condition, Washington State law requires a parent or guardian to speak with the school nurse. This includes allergies, diabetes, asthma and seizure disorders. Please contact your school office to schedule a time to speak with the school nurse. The appointment must take place before your child can attend Jump Start and school in September.

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Readiness Guides

Kindergarten Readiness Guides

Save the Date for Jump Start

Benefits to Students, Families and Teachers

Program Details

Expectations

Check out your School Kindergarten page + Jump Start Times

Readiness Guides

Questions?

Health & Safety

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