WINSTON-SALEM — On Saturday, Jan. 12, representatives from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will be available to help families of rising kindergarten students navigate the process of registering children for kindergarten in the fall of 2019. Countdown to Kindergarten, part of the district’s Ready, Set, K! program, will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Kaleideum North, located at 400 W. Hanes Mill Road in Winston-Salem.

Children and families will be able to meet staff from all elementary schools within the district. They will also have opportunities to:

• Discover fun activities and community resources offered by partner organizations.

• Board a school bus and visit the Forsyth County Library Book Mobile.

• Go through a practice lunch line featuring healthy snacks donated by Food Lion.

• Enjoy a yoga program (offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

• Explore the museum exhibits and watch a planetarium show.

• Meet Ready Freddy, the Countdown to Kindergarten mascot.

“The Office of Early Learning, our WS/FCS representatives, and our community partners are looking forward to meeting our newest kindergarteners and their families at our Ready, Set, K! kickoff event, Countdown to Kindergarten,” said Vanessa Osborne, transitions coordinator for WS/FCS. “This event marks the beginning of the enrollment process for children who will be five on or before Aug. 31. It is a way for families and their children to experience a bit of what school will be like, from the bus ride to the lunch line and on to the classroom. It’s a great way to meet and chat with teachers and administrators from our schools, as well as district and community representatives.”

Parents or guardians in need of assistance with transportation or anyone with questions about the event should contact Vanessa Osborne at 336-748-4000, ext. 34245 or Kelley Bendheim at 336-341-0539. Kaleideum North is located on WSTA Bus Route 97. Because every family is encouraged to attend, the Saturday Countdown to Kindergarten event is a “pay what you can” program.

The inclement weather date for Countdown to Kindergarten is Thursday, Jan. 17, from 4-7 p.m.