Kindergarten Roundup a great idea

Without a lot of fanfare, great things are happening at the Fairfield Adult School.

In addition to regular classes, there is a new program in the Parent Education Department chaired by Cheryl Stumbaugh. The acronym PEP is for both Parent Education Program and Parent Education Preschool. The program educates parents on parenting skills. At the same time, it helps build family relationships by having parents and children share learning experiences and many more benefits than I have room to tell you about here.

There are several preschools for children of parents enrolled in adult school parenting classes. Beginning in February on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there will be a parent toddler class for children from 18 months to 3 years. Parents and toddlers will attend this class together. The goals are to help parents feel more confident in their parenting skills, learn the long-term goals of parenting and provide an increased understanding of how young children think and feel. There will also be a new family literacy class on Friday mornings for children under 5 and their parents.

The Parent Education Program has two very important Kindergarten Readiness Roundup days in February. The purpose of these roundups is to help parents find out if their children are ready for kindergarten in the fall. If not, there are professionals who will advise parents on how they can improve their child’s “kindergarten readiness.” And it will be fun, too. Dental checkups will be available at no cost. Children who participate will receive a free backpack and school supplies. Kindergarten registration opportunities will be available at the roundups, too.

Here are the schedules:

• Feb. 2: 10 a.m. to noon at Anna Kyle Elementary School, 1600 Kidder Ave., Fairfield; noon to 2 p.m. at David Weir Elementary School, 1975 Pennsylvania Ave., Fairfield; and 2 to 4 p.m. at Cleo Gordon Elementary School, 1950 Dover Ave., Fairfield.
• Feb. 23: 10 a.m. to noon, Sheldon Elementary School, 1901 Woolner Ave., Fairfield; noon to 2 p.m., Suisun Elementary School, 725 Golden Eye Way, Suisun City; and 2 to 4 p.m. Fairview Elementary School, 830 First St., Fairfield.

While the schools listed here are being targeted, all children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall and their parents are welcome to participate. This is a great opportunity to help kids do better in kindergarten and get off to a good start.

Register for the Roundup and get more details at www.solano-spaceprogam.com. The roundups are sponsored by First 5 of Solano, The Fairfield-Suisun School District and the Fairfield Adult School.

I want to congratulate each of them for their support of the youngest of their charges. And kudos to the staff who put the Kindergarten Roundup together.

Murray Bass can be reached at 427-0744 or mzb60@comcast.net.