Parents get prepared for kindergarten

Suzie Harrison

Learning A, B, Cs is not only for kindergarten students. Parents

whose children will attend kindergarten at Top of the World

Elementary School in the fall also learned the A, B, Cs of what they

need to do to help a child in school.

The multipurpose room held a captive audience during the varied

presentations. Principal Ron LaMotte welcomed the parents who seemed

to be filled mostly with excitement and anticipation.

“Good morning, good morning, good morning, how many new

kindergarten parents are there?” LaMotte asked. “Whether you’re new

parents or existing parents -- I’ll probably give more information

than you might want to know.”

He said one of the most important things to know is that Top of

the World is a community-involved school -- he introduced the PTA

president for the next school year, Kerry Rubel.

“This is a delightful place for your children to learn,” Rubel

said. “So many people are involved in the community, school and help

make the school programs the best they can be. We offer a lot of

opportunity both in and out of the classroom.”

She went over many of the diverse programs from drama, chorus,

story telling and arts and crafts to science, math and reading

enhancement, including Class Act, a collaborative effort with the

Pacific Symphony to introduce students to celebrated composers and

their music. Rubel also talked about the Art Masters curriculum.

“Art Masters provides supplies and teachers to come in and teach

about different artists,” Rubel said.

PTA president Thasa Zuziak discussed some of the construction on

campus and the PTA.

“Next year you’ll be walking into a beautiful remodeled school,”

Zuziak said. “With a $100,000 budget, Top of the World PTA is one of

the most effective in the nation and beneficial for all of our

children and gives us parents a lot of different opportunities.”

A performance by the kindergarten classes was the highlight of the

day.

They did a skit about optimal footwear choices. They lined up on

stage and asked if anyone could see what was wrong? Going along with

audience participation, some parents said aloud that they could see

shoelaces were untied.

“No matter how hard you try to keep them tied even in a double

knot, the shoe fairy comes and unties your shoes,” the children said.

They showed off shoes with Velcro and buckles and the teacher

said, “That’s the way we would love to have your children come to

school.”

Next, a few of the students stepped forward one at a time and said

some of the things they liked about kindergarten.

“My name is Scottie and I like to draw pictures and do math too.”

“My name is Natasha, we have workshops, and we work on the

computers, play and learn games.”

“My name is Katie and I love reading a lot. We get to take home

books to read with our family.”

Twin boys spoke of how they liked to play basketball.

“Don’t worry parents, your kids will have fun here,” they said in

unison.