The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services’ Early Childhood Education Committee, in collaboration with the Long Beach Unified School District, will host three free Kindergarten Festivals during the months of January, February and March 2009 for parents whose children will enter kindergarten in the Fall of 2009. The festivals will provide parents with information about early childhood education, kindergarten readiness and information about the school registration process.
The earliest years of a child’s life are key to predicting ultimate success in school and life. Children who start kindergarten with an early education foundation have higher rates of high school graduation and ultimately higher rates of pay. “The time is now to invest in the youngest members of our society. Preparing them for kindergarten is preparing them for life,” said Luanne Mauro-Atkinson, chair of the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee.
The festivals will be held from 9am to noon as follows:
· January 10, Hughes Middle School, 3846 California Ave.
· February 7, Renaissance High School for the Arts, 235 E. 8th St.
· March 2, Colin Powell School, 150 Victoria St.
Each festival will feature three workshops that focus on school readiness, reading and math. Each incoming kindergartener in attendance will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies. Translation services in Spanish and Khmer will be provided, along with community resources for families.
For more information, contact Nancy Manriquez Dowell, of the Long Beach Kindergarten Festivals Planning Committee, at (562) 429-6020.
