We are thrilled to have your kindergartener join our school this fall! We have a special transition process in place for all kindergarten students in our district called Balanced Beginning. For Atlas, the first week of school will be half-days for Kindergarten students. Half of the class will come in the morning and half in the afternoon.
The Balanced Beginning eases the transition into kindergarten for both families and students. Teachers can introduce the new environment and routines in smaller chunks to reduce anxiety for the children, while collecting informal data as we begin the year together.
Kindergarten Classes
We have three kindergarten teachers here at Atlas: Laura Gordon, Ellie Martin, and Olivia Staudinger. Class lists will be predetermined and posted at our Open House on September 2, 2026. More details will be sent later. Atlas reserves the right to switch kindergarten students to another classroom at the end of the first week to balance out classes based on the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students.
During the first three days of school, September 8th through September 10th, all kindergarten students will attend school for 1/2 day. Kindergarteners with a last name that begins with the letters A-L will attend the morning session from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and kindergartners with a last name that begins with the letters M-Z will attend the afternoon session from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
No midday bussing for kindergarten is available during the first three days, so please be sure you have made transportation arrangements for your student.
On Friday, September 11th, all kindergarten students will attend school from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Kindergarten students will be released at 1:30 p.m. each Friday for the rest of the school year, 1st through 5th grade, release at 1:35 p.m.on Fridays If you have children in multiple grades, please park in the parking lot and wait with your kindergarten student for their siblings to be released.
Starting the week of September 14, 2026, all kindergarteners will attend school for the full day: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Pre-screener
Please have your child attend our kindergarten pre-screener on Wednesday, August 19th between 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This screening process should take approximately 15 minutes. An email will be sent later this summer from our office to sign up for a designated time for your child.
How to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Write their own name (capital letter at the beginning and the rest lowercase
Zip clothing (coats, pants, etc.)
Independently open food packages that might be in their school lunch
Tie their own shoes or use shoes that do not require laces
Practice using school supplies (scissors, glue stick, etc.)
Hold a pencil, pen, or crayon with a pinching grip
Practice sitting at a table to eat for up to 20 minutes at a time (length of school lunch)
Independently use the bathroom (wiping and washing hands)