Future kindergarteners attend drive-by teacher meet and greet

May 25, 2021

The driveway in front of John W. Decas Elementary School was bustling with a seemingly endless line of cars starting at 5 p.m. on May 25. At least one soon-to-be kindergartener rode in each car — accompanied by his or her parents, siblings, guardians or other family members and friends — as part of the school’s annual kindergarten welcome event.

“This is a meet and greet,” Principal Bethany Chandler explained. “It’s the first time that our brand new kindergarten students get to meet all of our kindergarten teachers and the staff who will support them.” 

She noted that in previous years the meet and greet was an ice cream social, but the school reimagined it as a drive-by event because of covid-19 safety concerns. 

Although they stayed in their cars, the kindergarteners were able to meet the teachers and see the school. Many staff members passed out various treats or school supplies like pencils as incoming students made their way down the line.

Kindergarten teacher Michele Lefrancois said the meet and greet was “very busy.”

“But that’s good though,” she said. “That just means that we have a good bunch of kids coming in with great parent involvement.”

The meet and greet was all about getting the students “comfortable and ready to come,” Chandler said. 

“It’s our first kindergarten event,” Chandler said, before noting that there would also be a kindergarten kickoff puppet show — held virtually over Zoom — on Wednesday, May 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. 

Those who wish to participate should RSVP to Jane Fondulis by emailing fondulis@wareham.k12.ma.us to receive an invitation to the Zoom call. 

The drive-by event and was made possible thanks to the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program, which aims to provide child development services and resources to families with young children.

Representatives from the program said that more than 100 students had already registered for kindergarten.