Welcome to Kindergarten!
It is our joy and privilege to welcome another group of Kindergarteners into our school community. We are so glad to have you, and can’t wait to get to know our newest Great Hearts Arlington scholars.
Information for New Families
We have compiled numerous resources you will find helpful in getting acquainted with your child’s new school at greatheartsarlington.org/newfamilies. Do be sure to pay it a visit to have all your questions answered.
When is Kindergarten Orientation/Meet the Teacher?
Kindergarten families should plan visit the campus during our special Kindergarten Orientation in August. The date is still to be determined!
Kindergarten Academy: The First Three Days
This year at Great Hearts Arlington, the first three days of school for our new Kindergarteners look a little different. To help welcome our youngest students and ease their transition into the routine of school, the first three days—August 13th, 14th, and 15th—will be early-release for all Kindergarteners. We call it “Kindergarten Academy.” The Athenaeum after-school program will not be available to Kindergarteners the first three days of school. Parents will need to make other arrangements for these days. Parents should pick up their Kindergarteners at the front carline between 1:30pm and 1:55pm. Older siblings will need to be picked up separately at the usual full day dismissal time of 3:30pm.
Friday, August 16th, will be your Kindergarten scholar’s first full day of school: 7:45am-3:30pm.
May I walk my student to class on the first day of school?
Our carline procedures make it unsafe for parents to get out and walk students into the school building. Allowing your child to hop out of the car in carline that morning and walk into his/her new school ready for a great day of learning is a gift, especially for children who may be inclined to suffer separation anxiety. We will have lots of teachers available outside and in our hallways to make sure our newest scholars are given a warm welcome and make it to the right place. Please do not park and walk your students in.
You can also help your child to recognize the type and color of vehicle that will be picking them up each day so that they can tell our teachers and we can get them to the right car in the afternoon as quickly as possible.
Who will my child’s teacher be?
Families can expect an email from their child’s teacher during the week of August 1st-August 5th.
When do we pick up our carline placards?
We will have placards with your child’s name and carline number available for pickup at Kinder Orientation.
Will students have lunch during Kindergarten Academy?
Yes! While Kindergarteners will be released at the earlier time of 1:30pm on the first three days of school, they will still have a lunch time before dismissal. Be sure to pack a lunch or add money to their school lunch account beforehand. Visit our Breakfast and Lunch page for details on our meal program and student accounts.
Should Kindergarten students bring a change of clothes to school?
While the basic expectation is that all incoming Kindergarteners will be fully potty trained, occasionally accidents do happen. We strongly recommend that all Kindergarteners come to school all year long with an extra pair of underwear, socks, and uniform in their backpack just in case.
For any other questions regarding Kinder Orientation, please reach out via email to the Lower School K/1 Dean, Mrs. Barnes, at Nyle.Barnes@greatheartstxschools.org.