Transition to Kindergarten Play & Learn Sessions
The transition to a new school can often feel daunting, particularly for families who are sending their children off to the classroom for the first time. For many, navigating new relationships and unfamiliar hallways can be a greater challenge than anticipated, especially for young students hesitant to spend the day away from home.
To support families undergoing this transition, Sanford School Department has begun hosting Transition to Kindergarten Play & Learn, a series of free playgroups where incoming pre-k and kindergarten children and their parents/guardians can visit their new school, meet staff and administrators, and establish relationships with other students and families. All three Sanford elementary schools have each held three Play & Learn events over the summer season.
On Tuesday, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary hosted a Play & Learn session in the Remick Library, themed around the book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems. Children in attendance enjoyed a read-aloud of the book with Allyson Mesics and Assistant Principal Roisin McGuckin while Leah Marks and Principal Tracie Hallissey connected with parents, offering helpful tips for getting their little ones ready for school. They explored the theme of school preparedness throughout the event, featuring an educational video on how to ride a bus, as well as rotating centers where students and families practiced packing their backpacks, picking out outfits, and other vital school-related skills. Parents and guardians then joined back up with their children to take an interactive tour of the school, searching for hidden pigeons as part of a themed scavenger hunt.
In hosting summer Play & Learn events, each elementary school was able to build strong partnerships with students and families, helping everyone feel welcomed and ready to begin school. Even though summer sessions have concluded, the Sanford School Department will continue to host these events into the fall. Beginning on September 16th, 2026, local early educators and community partners will lead weekly Play & Learn sessions at Springvale First Baptist Church on Wednesdays from 9:30AM-11:00AM. These events are free, providing an accessible, consistent resource for all Sanford children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Contact spalmer@sanford.org with any questions.