The Alpine School District has completed its back-to-school season with the arrival of kindergarten students. As the district begins its final school year, elementary schools welcomed their smallest cohort to finish the transition back to classroom routines.
At Cascade Elementary, students were greeted with a red carpet in the back courtyard on August 25th. Teachers lined the carpet to welcome the children, who eventually transitioned from the playground to their classrooms to begin the school year.
Staff and parents utilized deliberate planning to build student confidence before the first day. Kindergarten teacher Molly Ellen stated that back-to-school nights allowed students to become familiar with their classrooms through activities like scavenger hunts to locate cubbies and mailboxes.
Parents noted that collaboration with the school through open houses and initial assessments helped create a personalized experience. One parent, Romy, said that these early touchpoints helped reduce anxiety by helping children understand what to expect.
Teachers focused on procedures and routines during the first day rather than curriculum. Kindergarten teacher Amy Martin explained that the goal was to introduce routines slowly and provide toys to ease students into the new environment.
With the kindergarteners settled into their seats, the back-to-school season for the Alpine School District is officially complete and the final school year is underway.
