With the school year now underway, the ninth annual Kickoff to Kindergarten hosted by University of Nevada, Reno Extension, in conjunction with Vegas PBS and the Las Vegas-Clark County District Library, will provide valuable information and support for families with 3- to 5-year-old children to help them get ready for the school year. The free event is on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the East Las Vegas Library, 2851 E. Bonanza Road.
The event offers a day of fun-filled activities for kids, including the chance to meet characters such as Molly from the PBS KIDS show “Molly of Denali,” McGruff the Crime Dog, Daisy the Cow and the University’s Wolf Pack mascot, Alphie. Children can also receive free vision and dental screenings, get their faces painted, and enjoy dairy treats from the Nevada Dairy Council. The Clark County School District’s Book Bus will be distributing free books, while Extension will host a produce market where children can select fruits and vegetables. The first 200 families will receive school supplies, including kits with binoculars, nature journals, flashlights and more, and attendees ages 6-14 will have opportunities to participate in STEAM workshops.
“As part of the University’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Extension is reaffirming its commitment to community outreach and educational excellence through partnerships that enhance the reach and impact of our events,” said YaeBin Kim, Extension specialist. “Our annual Kickoff to Kindergarten fair exemplifies this dedication and allows us to build on our legacy of positively impacting our community and fostering lifelong learning.”
Event supporters and participants include Clark County School District Family Engagement, UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Extension’s SNAP-Ed and 4-H, Nevada Division of State Parks, Nevada Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Dairy Council of Nevada, Spread the Word Nevada, District Office of Congresswoman Dina Titus, Nevada Blind Children's Foundation, Nevada PEP, Foster Kinship, Walmart Vision Center, Clark County Las Vegas - Pop Up Recreation, Acelero Learning Head Start, The Children's Cabinet, Prevent Child Abuse Nevada, Foster Kinship, Boy Scouts of America, Las Vegas Metro Police Department Volunteer Program, American Red Cross, North Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Grant A Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center, Nevada Treasury, Healthy Living Institute at University Medical Center, Bureau of Land Management, Lakeshore Learning, Safe Kids Clark County, FEAT of Southern Nevada - Autism Non-Profit, Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Nevada Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and Development, City of Las Vegas - Strong Start GO! Mobile Pre-K, DISCOVERY Children's Museum, UNLV School of Nursing and Las Vegas Natural History Museum.
For more information, visit the Kickoff to Kindergarten event webpage or email Extension Program Officer Heidi Petermeier. Persons in need of special accommodation or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.