Events Planned For Kindergarteners And Their Families

To help parents and students with the transition to kindergarten, several Huntley-area organizations are hosting events leading up to the big day, and on the big day itself.

First up is a back-to-school event at the Huntley Area Public Library, hosted by the Friends of the Library.

On Friday, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the library will be bringing in a Huntley School District 158 school bus, so kids and parents can talk to a bus driver, and even sit on the bus.

This is the fourth year the Friends have hosted the popular event, which aims to help the kids have some fun, promote reading and encourage them as they head off to school.

“Getting to sit on a school bus and talk to a driver is a great way to ease anxiety for first time riders,” said Pamela Kampwerth, volunteer and outreach coordinator for the Huntley Area Public Library.

At the event, which is for all ages, there also will be a Huntley Police officer greeting students.

As part of the back-to-school celebration, they’ll also be having an ice cream social, stories, activities, crafts and raffles. Every half an hour there will be a chance to win school items during the raffle, Kampwerth said.

The program requires registration. To register, and for information, call the library at (847) 669-5386, ext. 26.

On Sunday, the last weekend before school starts, Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley will be hosting a kindergarten blessing for children taking this big step in their lives.

At both their 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, Pastor Mark Boster will call forward member parents and their kindergartners for the blessing.

Boster said he started the blessing tradition at his former church, and brought it with him to Huntley several years ago.

“We were talking one day in our staffing meeting about significant milestones in children’s lives and the topic of kindergarten came up as significant not only for children but for parents as well, letting their children go off on this new adventure of learning,” Boster said. “We thought it would be great if the church family could participate encouraging children and parents alike through a special blessing and prayer in worship.”

Boster said the tradition has been well received in Huntley among anxious and eager parents and students preparing for kindergarten.

As part of the blessing, they also give out a goody bag to the kids filled with school supplies they can bring on their first day of kindergarten.

“This serves as a reminder to them when they use the special pencils, erasers and stickers that God is always with them even when they go off to kindergarten," he said.

Kindergarteners will start in District 158 on Thursday, the day after all of the older grades start.

Before that, however, the three District 158 schools will be hosting open houses for kindergarteners and their parents, so they can have a chance to walk through the school, check out their classrooms and meet their teachers.

The open house at Mackeben Elementary will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, August 22, with the open houses at Leggee and Chesak Elementary Schools from 5:30 to 7:30, Tuesday, August 23.