Countdown to Kindergaten kicks off second
year with help from local organizations

Incoming Fayette County Public School kindergarten students will again have the opportunity to participate in the Countdown to Kindergarten program. With the efforts of local organizations, any child registering to start kindergarten at a Fayette County School in August 2012 will be offered free and low cost activities to prepare them for their first day of school.
 

Countdown to Kindergarten is a program designed to highlight the importance of early childhood education for students and their families by providing local educational activities not offered before to local residents.
 

Students who are registered at any one of Fayette County’s 34 elementary schools will receive a letter welcoming them to school and also explaining Countdown to Kindergarten. They will also receive a coupon for a free tee shirt which can be redeemed at any Lexington Public Library branch starting Tuesday, May 22. This tee shirt will be their ticket to any of events throughout the summer.
 

Almost every week throughout summer, children starting kindergarten in the fall and their families will be invited to participate in many different fun and educational events designed to start students on the right path of learning.
 

Countdown to Kindergarten events will begin June 9 with Lexington Ballet Company’s “Dance to Kindergarten Workshop” and will continue all summer long with events offered by the following partners:
 

· Explorium of Lexington

· Lexington Ballet

· Lexington Children’s Theatre

· Lexington Legends

· Lexington Parks and Recreation

· Lexington Philharmonic

· Lexington Public Library

· Living Arts & Science Center

· YMCA of Central Kentucky
 

Countdown to Kindergarten is spearheaded by PNC Foundation, Fayette County Public Schools, Child Care Council of Kentucky, and United Way of the Bluegrass.
 

For a complete list of the activities offered all summer or to learn more information about Countdown to Kindergarten visit www.uwbg.org, www.fcps.net or www.childcarecouncilky.com.

From United Way of the Bluegrass