Lakewood School District outlines kindergarten curriculum, events and start-date details at virtual orientation

Bryan Toutant, executive director of teaching and learning for the Lakewood School District, opened a virtual kindergarten information session emphasizing what families can expect academically and logistically as children begin school. "I am excited for your children to get started next year," Toutant said, before introducing the elementary principals who presented program details.

Kristin Cortes, building principal at Lakewood Elementary, said kindergarten focuses on foundational literacy skills. "One of the most important areas of learning is what we call foundational skills," Cortes said, describing phonemic awareness activities (listening and rhyming) that lead into phonics instruction and work with decodable texts and early writing. She said students begin with aural activities, move to phonics and then progress to reading and sentence writing by year’s end.

Presenters said math instruction uses the Bridges curriculum; kindergarteners practice counting to 100, writing numbers through 20 and basic addition and subtraction within 10. Cortes also outlined daily social-emotional learning, science and social studies exposure, and rotations to specialist classrooms such as physical education, music or library depending on the school.

Bill Landry, principal at Cougar Creek Elementary, and Michele Ricci, principal at English Crossing Elementary, offered summer-preparation tips for families: read together for 15–20 minutes daily, encourage independent routines (dressing, bathroom use, opening lunch items), practice fine-motor skills with crayons and scissors, and play cooperative games to prepare children for classroom routines. Ricci highlighted attendance: on‑time, all‑day presence is important for learning continuity.

The district will provide school supplies for kindergarten students; families need only supply a backpack. Ricci said families who need assistance obtaining a backpack should contact the school office.

The session included a short, student-made video in which kindergarten students shared practical tips for newcomers, closing with: "You're going to love it."

Toutant reviewed key dates and events: a June 18 bus orientation opportunity for families to board a school bus and meet drivers; a July 9 playground visit at Lakewood Elementary from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for incoming students and families; and a districtwide open house for K–5 on Aug. 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. He explained that the district has staggered start times (Cougar Creek 8:30 a.m.; English Crossing and Lakewood Elementary 8:35 a.m.), regular release times Monday–Thursday and an early-release Friday schedule for staff professional learning.

On assessment and intake, presenters said kindergarten family-connection meetings will be held Sept. 2–4 as brief (about 20-minute) one-on-one sessions for teachers to meet students and complete initial assessments. After an audience question about the holiday on Sept. 7, the presenters confirmed that the first full day for kindergarten students will be Tuesday, Sept. 8. Registration for kindergarten is completed online through the Lakewood School District website, and the district will post this recording and the welcome video for families to review.

In the Q&A, staff said the June 18 event is a pilot for organized play opportunities and that additional school-specific playdates are not scheduled at this time. On placement questions (for example, twins), principals encouraged parents to contact the school principal with placement preferences but said teacher-request policies are limited and placement is decided case‑by‑case.

The session closed with contact instructions for principals and the executive director and a reminder that the recording will be available on the district website.