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This is an editorial focusing primarily on the Altoona Area School District. However, the message within it should be of interest to every district in the six-county Southern Alleghenies region, as well as beyond.
The message is one too late to be implemented for the 2026-27 school year, but it's not too late -- or early -- to be contemplated for the 2027-28 school year, or beyond.
For many young children, this is a month for anxiety about the new experience that only is weeks or days away -- the experience of starting kindergarten or first grade.
However, many Altoona School District "newbies to classroom life" have the opportunity to erase that anxiety -- or possibly fear -- of what lies ahead, by way of the district's kindergarten readiness camp.
Any school district now without such a positive opportunity for those attending school for the first time needs to consider mustering the funds and resources for making an asset similar to Altoona's available. At the same time, districts without such optional programs need to touch base with parents about the value and benefits of what would be offered to their children and how that experience could be a bonus for them in terms of possibly not having to deal with anxieties and fears wrapped around the mandatory experience of starting school.
Altoona's program is a win-win; every other district's program could be, also.
A front-page article in the Mirror's Aug. 5 edition began with this message:
"Incoming Pleasant Valley Elementary School kindergarten students are learning a thing or two about their classrooms, teachers and peers this week, thanks to the Altoona Area School District's kindergarten readiness camp."
The article continued that "the optional readiness camp is hosting half-day classes for about 250 children across eight district elementary schools, designed to acclimate students to the classroom."
Back in the 1980s, there was a video titled "Get Ready for School," built around a family of bears, that some parents felt was important for their children to see. But while that video had the capability of erasing some children's kindergarten or first-grade anxieties, it was little when stacked against what readiness camps like Altoona's have to offer.
The many positives about the Altoona program have reached the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg. That's why Amy Lena, deputy secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary School Education, joined Pleasant Valley students for class and lunch Aug. 4 to observe how the camp benefits Altoona children.
Melanie Gerhart, a longtime kindergarten teacher, said the readiness camp lessens students' anxiety and increases their confidence before their first day of school -- something that the video "Get Ready for School" sought to do decades ago.
But another important observation was put forth by another kindergarten teacher, Beth Macak.
"They become leaders of the classroom," Macak said.
Added Haley Fleegle, Altoona's assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and elementary programs, "teachers instruct students on classroom etiquette such as sitting on chairs and carpets, lunchroom protocols, hallway manners and playground behavior." Also very important, she said, the young people learn about important school resources such as the school guidance counselor and the school nurse and receive instruction related to arriving at school and departing from school.
The Altoona School System is a leader in many ways and can be a guide to districts now without such a program but interested in launching one the right way.
Many Altoona children react to "First Day" with anticipation and excitement, not anxiety and dread, only because of what the readiness program has to offer.
That's how it should be for all children.