Kindergarten Jump Start Dates

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.

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

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).