August 4, 2020 (Columbia, SC) The first day of kindergarten will be here before we know it!
To celebrate this milestone, EdVenture Children’s Museum and its partners invite all South Carolina rising kindergartners and their families to the seventeenth annual Celebration of Countdown to Kindergarten on August 7.
“Unfortunately, because of the current health pandemic, we will be holding a virtual event. In doing so, we will be continuing our work to strengthen connections with our members, friends, and communities across the state,” said Marc Drews, the museum’s vice president of mission and strategic partnerships.
“We plan to host a series of online gatherings where families can meet with various partners to answer questions and identify resources. EdVenture’s website will include tips from education leaders and several “welcome to kindergarten” messages, including one from Governor Henry McMaster.”
Several partners, including the SC First Steps for School Readiness and the Early Care and Education Division of the SC DSS, have come together to share information throughout the day. EdVenture’s chefs will also be conducting one of their weekly United We Eat episodes on Facebook Live, highlighting the letter C and featuring the preparation of crab cakes.
Anyone interested in participating in the Zoom conversations led by early childhood advocates and health care leaders may register by visiting the museum’s website at www.edventure.org/countdowntokindergarten. The registration site includes the day’s schedule and an opportunity to select from several of the 20-30 minute sessions. Prizes, including school supply kits provided by Metro by T-Mobile, will be provided to some lucky participants during each episode.
Since the museum first opened in 2003, EdVenture has hosted this event designed to prepare rising kindergartners and their families for the first day of school. The annual back-to-school event allowed children and their families to visit the museum and the many partners, including local education advocates, health care providers, and vendors who answered questions about the big day. Vision and hearing screenings, as well as dental check-ups and haircuts, were among the activities. Of course, there was also plenty of time to play throughout the museum. The event’s highlights included hopping on a school bus, a fire truck, going through the lunch line, and playing in a mock classroom.
“Instead of the many booths, the online gatherings will serve as the venue; however, the museum will be highlighting kindergarten activities throughout the exhibits all week,” said Taylor Bates, the museum’s education coordinator. “Families can register online to attend a time block throughout the week. During each session, we plan to engage our visitors with several age-appropriate programs that our guests are sure to enjoy.”
“While this virtual event can never replace what we have done so well over the years, it will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to inspiring the joy of learning for our state's children and their families,” added EdVenture’s President and CEO Lisa Hailey. “We want to welcome our kindergartners back in a very special way.”
