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Kindergarten camp gives students peek into school life

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - While students head to class in Elkhart officially on Thursday, some students got a sneak peek last week.

Elkhart Community Schools elementary schools held a kindergarten camp that allows the newest school attendees a chance to get familiar with the process, according to Cleveland Elementary School principal Kelly Carmichael.

According to Carmichael, the week-long camp, held Aug. 7 to 11, introduced students to their teachers and allowed parents to begin that process of dropping off their children. The program has been going on for about four years, she said.

"One of the hardest things is separating from parents, so we had a good talk with parents on Monday," she said. "We encouraged parents of car riders to go ahead and walk them in the first couple of days and then just drop them off and go so they get used to the process."

She said that it can be tough on the children as well, but they quickly adjust and begin making friends.

"We had a couple of kids that were crying the first day but as the week went on they feel much more comfortable here," Carmichael said.

There were 45 students that participated in the program, according to Carmichael and three of Cleveland's four kindergarten teachers took part as well.

One of those teachers, Michelle Crussemeyer, said that building those relationships is helpful in making the transition to school.

"They can come in and get to know the teacher ahead of time and they get to make friends so that they are looking forward to coming back," Crussemeyer said.

Carmichael said that students that participate in the camp become classroom leaders when school starts because they know the school and the rules.

"They can help their friends that weren't able to come know those systems: where the library is, what the rules are, that stuff," she said.

Carmichael added that letting parents know that their children are safe and encouraging the parents to get involved in the school is also part of the transition.

"We encourage parents to become part of that family here at Cleveland, to be involved and ask questions, so that they can trust what's going on here is beneficial for their kids," she said.

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Source: The Elkhart Truth, http://bit.ly/2uQqcBi

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Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.elkharttruth.com

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