Cushman's kindergartners prepare for life at DeMello
With thoughts of summer vacation running through their heads, Cushman’s kindergartners spent a day during their final week of school preparing for the next big step in their lives: the first grade.
Kindergarten Transition Day, held on June 22 — the second-to-last day of classes, acquaints the young students with their new school. Andrew B. Cushman School’s three kindergarten classes traveled down the street to Joseph DeMello Elementary where Principal Cathy Maccini provided tours around the building and gave students a preview of what they can expect in the fall.
“Since they’re not in the same building with the DeMello students, but they’re coming here, we have this day so they can get to know where they’re going to be next year,” said Cheryl Kamm, one of Cushman’s kindergarten teachers. “It makes them feel more comfortable.”
After lunch and recess, the kindergartners visited three stations — the multi-purpose room, the music room and the playground — for brief, 25-minute lessons.
Mickey Raposo, the physical education teacher at Cushman, came with the students to introduce them to some playground equipment and address safety.
Raposo said that even though the students will have a different gym teacher next year, it’s important for them to have a familiar face to guide them through their new environment.
“They get to know the teachers, and they get to know what’s going on. They will already know the building because they’ve seen it,” said Raposo.
Julia Mullins, DeMello's art teacher, provided a small assignment where students sketched and colored a lighthouse out of basic shapes. Shirley Guerreiro was there to lead the kindergartners through a music lesson — and, of course, The Hokey Pokey.
“We worked on some dancing. And I read them a story about Keith Richards, about how he got started with music. It talks about him and his grandfather,” said Guerreiro.
The last day of classes for both elementary schools is June 23. The three kindergarten classes will transition into the first grade when school resumes on September 2.
