Bethel’s “Smart Start” program is a carefully designed, child-centered schedule and series of activities intended to successfully transition and warmly welcome your child to Kindergarten.

During registration (online or in-person): Parents/Guardians will sign up for a time to meet with their child’s teacher (Week 1) and indicate a preference for AM/PM (Week 2) of school.  Schools will confirm the schedule for week 1 and 2 with parents.

Week 1 of School

Students attend one day (with half the class), reserving time for teachers to conference with parents/guardians to learn about students and answer questions about the Kindergarten year.

Week 2 of School

To increase individual attention and instruction, Kindergarteners will attend either in the AM or PM (half-day) During this time, Kindergarten staff will:

• Introduce your child to school in small groups with a supportive team of educators
• Teach expectations and routines as they learn about recess on the playground
• Teach cafeteria procedures as they eat lunch
• Assess students in academic areas and school readiness activities in small groups
• Meet with families to learn more about your child
• Determine classroom assignments to best meet the educational needs of every child