The Moraga Parks and Recreation Department will offer a new program this summer that aims to introduce children to the kindergarten environment in a safe, stress-free manner. Camp Kinder Cool is designed to encourage young campers to develop classmate friendships and instill a love of learning while helping to bridge the gap between pre-school and kindergarten.
The program will be taught by three kindergarten teachers from Donald Rheem Elementary and Los Perales Elementary schools who have been with the Moraga School District for many years. Cathy Kathan teaches at Rheem where she originally taught primary computer classes and then first grade students before realizing her dream of working with kindergarten children for the past four years.
"Camp Kinder Cool is an interactive, hands-on way of introducing children to the routine of kindergarten by preventing those first day jitters" said Kathan. "The program will include music, art, and a variety of activities while at the same time prepare your child for the move from pre-school to kindergarten. There's no better way to make your child ready than to actually experience the classroom environment with a kindergarten teacher."
Terryl Miller and Mary Ellen Viboch have been teaching at Los Perales School for 13 and 10 years respectively. Together they have accumulated over 36 years of instruction at the primary grade level with the District.
"We are very fortunate to have such teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Camp Kinder Cool," stated Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ingram, "We're confident this new program will benefit children by making their transition from pre-school to kindergarten an entertaining and fulfilling experience."
Any child entering kindergarten this fall (August 2010) can enroll in Camp Kinder Cool. For more information call Moraga Parks and Recreation at (925) 888-7036.
Camp Kinder Cool
Cost: $227 per child plus a $15 materials fee Dates and locations: Los Perales Elementary School, June 14 - 18 and June 28 - July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (bring a big snack). Donald Rheem Elementary School, from June 21 - 25 and July 19 - 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (bring a bag lunch). Registration is currently being accepted through May 31. Register via phone, in person at Moraga Parks and Recreation Department, 2100 Donald Drive or online at www.moraga.ca.us.
The program will be taught by three kindergarten teachers from Donald Rheem Elementary and Los Perales Elementary schools who have been with the Moraga School District for many years. Cathy Kathan teaches at Rheem where she originally taught primary computer classes and then first grade students before realizing her dream of working with kindergarten children for the past four years. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA