March 25, 2026

Hughson Elementary School hosted this year’s first Road to Kindergarten on March 19. The program, designed to prepare incoming Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students for their first year at Hughson Elementary School, gives students a chance to get acquainted with the teachers and paraeducators of Hughson Elementary School. “This is a great way to have them dip their toes into becoming familiar with the classroom and school environment, as they learn classroom procedures, meet classmates and practice much-needed skills for school, while having fun and getting ready for school in August,” Hughson Elementary School Principal Megan Reisz said.

During the TK/Kindergarten registration week, families also signed their students up for Road to Kinder. Students are divided into two groups: Group A met on March 19 and will meet again on March 26, and Group B will meet on April 16 and April 23.

The program gives parents a chance to learn as well. On the first night, parents and caregivers hear from the administration and then, on the second night, from the teachers. “We share expectations for success, the way procedures and routines operate at HES, answering any questions that they may have and starting to form relationships of trust and teamwork, as they send us their child/children,” Reisz said. “We also offer suggestions on ways that they can help prepare their child/children for school. We send the families home with school supplies of all types and materials to help them practice and prepare for school.”

Starting at a new school can be challenging. Reisz explained, “Sometimes separating from their loved ones is hard, and this program helps with that. Another challenge that some have is doing things independently, for example, opening their snacks/packages during lunch, or using the restroom independently, putting on/taking off their jacket or sweatshirts, hanging up their backpacks and so on.”

The opportunity to get to know the classroom setting and their peers, and to meet and greet with teachers and paraeducators more than once before the school year begins, can help students feel more confident when challenges arise. For families, the evenings bring up areas they can work on to help their children get off to a strong start, such as reading aloud with their children and helping them with counting or writing their names correctly.

The Road to Kindergarten program is funded by the Hughson Unified School District and First 5 of Stanislaus County.