Indian Prairie CUSD 204’s Parent University stresses social-emotional skills, explains kindergarten logistics

Indian Prairie CUSD 204 held a Parent University presentation titled “Becoming an Elementary School Parent” in which district staff and classroom teachers offered parents strategies for the social-emotional transition to kindergarten and explained routine logistics such as bus procedures, lunch and breakfast service, Chromebooks and attendance reporting.

The presentation, led by Tracy Schwartz, district positive engagement and student support coach, and Lauren Quinn, a kindergarten teacher at Petersen Elementary, emphasized social-emotional learning (SEL) as a foundation for kindergarten readiness and answered questions submitted by families and in the Zoom chat. "Parent University is an opportunity to come together as a community of families and school district staff to learn about and discuss topics related to and supporting our students' academic and social emotional success," said Dawn Forkner, district SEL and wellness coordinator, in opening remarks.

Why it matters: Indian Prairie CUSD 204 serves families across 21 elementary schools; staff said consistent SEL routines and practical preparation at home can reduce anxiety and speed children’s adjustment to full-day kindergarten. Presenters and panelists described districtwide practices parents can expect and steps families can…