Welcome to the Panda Family! We are so excited for your kindergarten year at Penny Road Elementary and have some important information to share to help with a smooth start to the school year.

Our kindergarten students will each only attend one day of the first week of school (August 28 through August 31).  These staggered entry days give the team of kindergarten teachers a chance to meet you before we create your class and assign your teacher.  Which day you attend is based on the letter that your last name starts with.  (If you have an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from attending on your assigned staggered entry day, please reach out to me.)

Last names A through E will attend on Monday, August 28.

Last names F through K will attend on Tuesday, August 29.

Last names L through R will attend on Wednesday, August 30.

Last names S through Z will attend on Thursday, August 31.

Last names S through Z will attend on Friday, September 1.  

Your day will begin as a regular school day with arrival between 8:45 and 9:10.  There will be a special table set up for kindergarten check-in on the first day, so carpool families should park and walk up.  Students riding the bus will be escorted from the bus to the check-in.  The first day is so busy and we know you might be getting worn out by the afternoon, so we will dismiss at 2:00.  Parents, if you have childcare or transportation concerns and need your child to stay until regular school and bus dismissal at 3:45, that isn't a problem, but please email pmedwar@wcpss.net to make arrangements. 

All you'll need for your staggered entry day is a snack, a lunch (or money to get one from the cafeteria), and a water bottle.  Please do not bring your school supplies on your staggered entry day.  Those can be brought to Kindergarten Meet the Teacher (9/1) (9/5)   or on the first day of school once classes are assigned (9/5). The supply list is available on the school website.

Kindergarten classes aren't formed until after staggered entry, so you will not know who your teacher will be on your staggered entry day.  We are very excited to invite you to the Kindergarten Meet the Teacher on September 5 from 9:30 to 10:00 in order to see your classroom and meet your teacher.  The classroom lists with teacher assignments will be posted at that time.  Due to the school cancelation on August 31, Meet the Teacher will now occur the morning of the first day of kindergarten.  At 10:00, parents will be invited to transition to the PTA's Tissues and Tea event and students will stay for their first day of kindergarten!

We would also like to extend an invitation for you to participate in the Panda Party Scavenger Hunt that will occur during our Meet the Teacher event for first through fifth grades on Thursday, August 24 from 4:30 to 6:00.  This will give you and a parent or guardian an opportunity to get to see the school and meet some panda staff members along the way.

See you soon, panda!