Letter to Kindergarten Parents

Sent 8/19/04

Welcome to T. H. Rogers.

One of the opportunities that will be available to your child will be participation in the chess program.  We are very fortunate to have some wonderful instructors working with us.  Whether your kindergartner joins the after school chess program or not, he/she will get a group chess lesson once a week during school with Coach Larry Englebretson beginning next Tuesday.

If your child wishes to further develop their playing ability, he/she may want to join the after school chess club (Tuesday) and possibly participate in the Young Beginner Class (Wednesday).  If so, we look forward to working with him/her.  There are, however, some differences in how we handle the new kindergarten students at the beginning of the year.   

Even if your child has been in all day preschool, going to Kindergarten is a big adjustment.  Two years ago, we admitted the kindergarten students in August, but had several fall asleep regularly well into September.  Last year, we delayed the entry of the kindergartners for a month, and felt that it worked much better.  In addition, it takes a couple of weeks to get the older kids assimilated, evaluated and the club running smoothly.  Therefore, we are again delaying the entry of the Kindergarten class into the Tuesday club for a month.  A notice will go home mid-September when we are ready to admit the new Kindergartners to the chess club.  Not only will they be more adjusted to school by then, but they will have had the benefit of several lessons with Coach Larry.  Hopefully, they will know how to set up their boards and how to begin a game by the time they start coming to club.  Having said that, if a parent wishes to come, pick up their child, bring them to club and stay and work with them, it would be fine.  I am thinking particularly of families with more than one child in the club who would have to pick one up at 3 pm and then turn around and pick the other up at 4:15 pm.

Please note that this one month delay does not apply to the Wednesday class.  The Young Beginner Class will start next week on August 25^th.   The class is a wonderful opportunity for our youngest students to really learn how to play.  It is recommended that all students who are planning to be a part of the team participate.  They will be much better prepared.  Because of the young age of the players, this room will need a parent helper each week.  No chess knowledge is necessary.  You will be there to escort children to the restroom, help with the snack, be the disciplinarian, and help the coach in what ever capacity is needed.  Parents who sign their child up for this class will be required to come at least once per semester to assist or work out an arrangement with another parent who has a more flexible schedule.

 Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns. 

Martha Jenkinson