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About Countdown to Kindergarten:

The Countdown to Kindergarten (C2K) program provides opportunities for children to practice vital Kindergarten readiness skills through learning activities. This is a free program provided by the ÅÝܽÊÓƵapp. At each C2K event, learning activities are provided for children from 3-5 years of age. The event begins with a short song and story, then the learning activities are open for play! The whole family is welcome to join!

At each event, there is a staff member from the Anchorage Public Library as well as the Countdown to Kindergarten staff who are available at the activity stations and are happy to answer any and all questions about Kindergarten!

If you have any questions about Kindergarten or the upcoming events, email Ariel Mangelsdorf at mangelsdorf_ariel@asdk12.org. 

SEE BELOW FOR 2024-25 SCHEDULE AND RESOURCES

Materials:

2. 10 Ways to Get Ready for Kindergarten Handout
3. Check out our Countdown to Kindergarten Event Resources tab (on the left) for fun at-home learning activities!

2024-25 Countdown to Kindergarten

Event Schedule

Upcoming Pop-Up Play to Learn Playgroups:

King Tech Tuesdays with Play to Learn

*Drop In and Join Us, No Registration Required for Pop-Up*

Who is it for? 

This Pop-Up Playgroup is for families with children ages 8 years old and younger!

What is it?

This is a collaboration between ÅÝܽÊÓƵapp's Play to Learn and King Tech's Early Childhood Education programs. Join your child for a play session where they get to engage with high school students aspiring to be educators.

A Play to Learn educator will be at each session to share tips and tricks for home: creating routines and rituals, managing transitions, and navigating challenging behaviors with some of our fun make and take activities. 

When is it?

Pop-Up Playgroups will be on Tuesdays 

4:00-5:30 PM at King Tech High School (in the preschool classroom)

2650 E Northern Lights Blvd 

Dates of the program: 

Quarter 3: 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, and 3/4

PopUp with Play Palace

Who is it for? 

This free Pop-Up Playgroup is for families with children ages 8 years old and younger!

Due to capacity limits in indoor play space, limited to 1 adult per every 3 kids

When is it?

Saturday, 3/1 from 10-11:30 AM at Play Palace (in the Midtown Mall)

600 E Northern Lights Blvd 

Upcoming Play to Learn Playgroups:

Kindergarten Readiness Playgroup (ages 4/5)

Who is it for? 

This program is for families with preschool-aged children (ages 4/5) who are not currently attending an ASD preK program.

Children enrolled in this playgroup must be 4 years old when their cohort begins.

What is it?

A caregiver accompanies their child to a preschool classroom equipped with an early-childhood educator and a family coordinator. The caregiver enjoys a chance to connect with other adults while learning about child development. During this time, the children are learning and playing together with their teacher. Siblings are welcome!

When is it?

Playgroups will be two days a week

8:45 am-10:15 am at Denali Montessori Elementary School.

Dates of the program: 

Quarter 3 Dates

Tuesday and Thursday Cohort (1/7, 1/9, 1/14, 1/16, 1/21, 1/23, 1/28, 1/30, 2/4, 2/6, 2/11, 2/13, 2/18, 2/20)

To fill out a request for a 2024-25 playgroup spot, Click

Young Wednesdays (ages 3-4)

Who is it for? 

This program is for families with young children who are ages 3-4 years old and not currently attending an ASD preK program.

Children enrolled in the Young Wednesday playgroup must be 3 years old when the cohort begins.

What is it?

A caregiver accompanies their child to a preschool classroom equipped with an early-childhood educator teacher and family coordinator. The caregiver enjoys a chance to connect with other adults while learning about child development. During this time, children are learning and playing with their teacher. Siblings are welcome!

When is it?

Young Wednesday Playgroups will be held on Wednesdays from 

8:45 am-10:15 am at Denali Montessori Elementary School.

Dates of the program: 

1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19

To fill out a request for a Young Wednesday playgroup spot, Click

For more information about Countdown to Kindergarten, contact:

Ariel Mangelsdorf, mangelsdorf_ariel@asdk12.org

March: Decide on Your Child's School

Parents interested in having their child attend their neighborhood school do not need to sign up until school registration, held during the last week of July. Parents interested in having their child attend a school other than the neighborhood school must complete an online lottery application.

April: Attend Kindergarten Round-Up at Schools

All schools will host a Kindergarten Round-Up for families in the spring. Come meet the school principal, staff, kindergarten teachers, and other families. Learn about school routines, expectations, and curriculum. Visit classrooms and tour the school. Check the ASD website in late March for specific dates and times for all Kindergarten Round-Ups.

May-June: Explore Kindergarten Resources

Visit your child’s school playground over the summer so your child becomes familiar with the school site. Check out fun summer programs and activities in Anchorage for children. Think about what would be best for your child and family as you make this transition.  

July-August: Get Ready for School

Visit Welcome to the ASD page for current information on enrollment, registration, school start times, bus routes, and important school updates. You can also download the ASD mobile app to stay up to date. After enrollment look for information on Fall Kindergarten Orientation.

BLAST OFF!
Welcome to Kindergarten

print version of this information available here