WES program eases in first time students

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
The leap from staying home with mom, or with a day care provider to kindergarten can be more than some children can bare.
At the very least, it can be a shock.
Russellville's West Elementary School plans ease the transition of first time kindergarteners by phasing the students in gradually, rather than bringing them in all at once.
"This is the first time we have ever considered doing something like this for our kindergarteners," WES Principal Ramona Robinson said.
During the phase-in process, kindergarten students will come to school in smaller groups until the process is complete.
Robinson said the process of filling the rooms with 100-percent of the city's kindergarteners should only take a few days at the beginning of school.
"We are still in the planning process, and there are still some things that have to be ironed out," Robinson said.
Phasing the students in through smaller groups will allow teachers to get to know each child, and ease the transition of beginning school for both the students and their parents.
"Parents have a hard time feeling comfortable when it comes to their babies starting school, and we hope to make them feel very comfortable with this milestone in their child's life," Robinson said.
During the phasing in period, parents will be able to find out information and to ask questions about their child's class, activities and schedules.
Parents will also be permitted to eat lunch with their kindergartener during this time period.
WES already has 207 students registered for kindergarten this year, and the school will hold a late registration on July 10 in case more students need to register.
There will be 13 kindergarten teachers this year, Robinson said.
"This the biggest kindergarten class we've ever had here, and we are expecting a big kindgarten class next year as well," Robinson said.
In addition to the phasing in process, the school also plans to host a special day with activities for parents and students.
"We are sending out letters to our new students about the information day and the phasing in program this year," Robinson said.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x