FPS welcomes children, parents to Kindergarten Round--Up
With the end of the school year nearing, Knox County parents are preparing their children for the coming school year.
Parents and their children lined up to take part in Farragut Primary School’s Kindergarten Round-up at the school Tuesday, April 12. FPS was one of 48 elementary schools in Knox County Schools System to hold the round-up.
“It’s a good turnout so far. We have a full crowd,” Gina Byrd, FPS principal, said. “Parents are aware of the round-up and are excited to be here.”
She said FPS usually has an average of 175 to 200 attendees at the event.
“We’ll have approximately 315 kindergartners enrolled,” Byrd said. Those kindergartners are among 1,000 enrolled in kindergarten through second-grade classes.
“Other Knox County Schools do not have 300 kindergartners like we do,” she said.
During the round-up, parents received information on enrollment, toured the school and met teachers, Byrd said. Meanwhile, the children had a chance to visit classrooms and meet teachers and other children.
“I am so excited because I went to school here many decades ago, so it’s wonderful to be back,” Tracy Sellars-Kiumarsi, who brought her son Kaicy Kiu-marsi, said.
“It’s exciting,” Christine Gonzalez said then nodded to her son, A’den. “He my first child, so I’m not used to it.”
However, some parents said enrolling their children in kindergarten was bittersweet.
“My baby’s going to school,” Suzy Wells said about her son, Teddy Wells.
“I have mixed feelings,” William Smith, father of Ryan Smith, said. “I’m excited and sad.”
“Oh, it’s bittersweet,” Amy Olsen said about enrolling her daughter, Audrey Olsen.
“I’m excited for her but she is my last one.”
Olsen said the round-up was helpful. Audrey was nervous and shy about starting kindergarten.
“But, she’s warming up,” Amy Olsen said.
Besides enrollment information, parents also learned about the school’s Parent-Teacher Association from Stephanie Thompson, who will be the PTA president next school year, and Kid Time, an after-school program.
Children need to be 5 years old by Aug. 15, 2016, to enter kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year, Abbey Harris, public affairs specialist with Knox County Schools, said.
