The Early Learning & Kindergarten Festivals were initiated in 2006 through collaboration between the Long Beach Unified School District and our Section, and are now entering their 19th year. These free "School Readiness" festivals, held during the months of January to March, are aimed at preparing children who will enter kindergarten the following fall and their parents. The Early Learning students and their parents are also welcomed to the Festivals.

 

The events provide information about the District, the expectations of kindergarten teachers, workshops about math, reading strategies for parents working with their children, and information about available community resources. In addition, the District offers dental screenings for the children who need one to enter Kindergarten in the fall. 

 

Each kindergarten and pre-transitional kindergarten student receives a backpack filled with LBUSD-donated school items. The backpacks are funded by our Section’s Tikkun Olam donations and the Denise Berro Kindergarten Tribute Fund.

 

On the day of each Festival, NCJW volunteers register families on site, distribute backpacks, and provide support services as needed.