Date:

July 31, 2008

For More Information Contact:

Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, 441-8565

All of Lincoln’s kindergartners are invited to celebrate the beginning of their school journey at the sixth annual Kindergarten Kickoff set for Monday through Thursday, August 4-7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Children’s Museum.

The city-wide festivities are made possible through a unique, joint partnership of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, Lincoln City Libraries, the City of Lincoln and Lincoln Public Schools.

“The first year of school is a very special time in the lives of our children and their families – and we need to make sure that milestone is noted and celebrated,” said Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley. “A successful experience in school is significant for our students and their families, but also for our entire community.”

Mayor Chris Beutler agreed. “The unique, collaborative Kindergarten Kickoff planning partnership provides a glance at what makes Lincoln such a great place to live and raise a family. Our city has a great public schools system, outstanding public resources such as Lincoln City Libraries and unique family attractions like the Lincoln Children’s Museum. I join these organizations in wishing our kindergarteners the very best as they take this big step in their young lives.”

Darren Macfee. Executive Director of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, added: “The museum is honored to host this celebration of such an important transition in the life of a child and their caregivers. It gives us great pleasure to help our community‘s children along on their life-long journey of learning and discovery.”

The Kickoff event has several facets.

• All children registered to attend kindergarten in Lincoln’s public and private schools for the 2008-09 school year are mailed invitations encouraging them to visit a Lincoln city library July 15-August 7, register for their very own library card and receive a free Kindergarten Kickoff T-shirt. Home schoolers are welcome as well.
• Kindergartners wearing their T-shirts – and family members - will be admitted free to the Lincoln Children’s Museum, 1420 P St., for one of four scheduled celebrations.

The program is supported by the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools with a gift from the James C. and Rhonda Seacrest Foundation and additional support from Runza Restaurants.

Families are urged to follow the schedule listing the schools assigned to each night.

For more information contact Pat Leach at Lincoln City Libraries, 441-8565; or Kevin Sheen at the Lincoln Children’s Museum, 477-4000, ext. 107.

Kindergarten Kickoff Celebration Schedule,
5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Children’s Museum

Monday, August 4: Brownell, Eastridge, Fredstrom , Helen Hyatt, Huntington, Kahoa, Lincoln Christian, Morley, Norwood Park, Parkview, Pershing, Pyrtle, Randolph, Riley, Trinity Infant Child Care Center

Tuesday, August 5: Beattie, Blessed Sacrament, Campbell, Cavett, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Hartley, Holmes, Lakeview, Roper, Sacred Heart, St. John, St. Mary, St. Patrick, Zeman

Wednesday, August 6: Adams, Calvert, Cathedral, Children’s Circle, Child’s View, Hill, Humann, Maxey, Montessori School, Prescott, Rousseau, St. Joseph, St. Peter, St. Teresa

Thursday, August 7: Arnold, Belmont, Christ Lutheran, Faith Lutheran, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Home Schools, McPhee, Meadow Lane, Messiah Lutheran, N. Am. Martyrs, Saratoga, Sheridan, St. Mark Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran, West Lincoln