The parents of the 100 newly enrolled Kindergarteners packed tightly the West Wyoming Elementary cafeteria. They were there for an orientation – a bilingual welcoming reception of sorts for their little ones.
Close to 27 percent of the students at West Elementary are considered English Language Learners – meaning that they do not speak English as their first language at home.
We asked Katilyn Rose what she was most excited about starting Kindergarten.
“What are you most excited about Kindergarten? Play outside!”
Katilyn is five years old and will be heading to Kindergarten next week for the first time.
For Kaitlyn’s mother, Amy Rose, sending her daughter to school brings a little ambivalence but overall excitement to see her at West.
“She is my youngest, you know, she is going to school and it’s a good thing and it’s a little scary and a little nerve-wracking. It always is.”
For parent David Lewis, sending his son Dallas Lewis to school is an opportunity for him to learn more.
“He is really, really smart. So I mean we have taught him everything that he needs to know as far as safety precautions so he will be fine. He will be a little nervous his first day but he is my last kind so I am a professional at this.”
Beginning this school year all of the students at Wyoming Public School will have a free breakfast and lunch.
I am Michelle Jokisch Polo for WGVU News.