Kiski Area School District is offering an interactive STEM-based event for incoming kindergartners Feb. 23 at Kiski Area North Primary School.

“Family Science Night” serves as the kickoff for multiple kindergarten-themed readiness events hosted by the district before the start of classes next fall.

Participating students will convene in the gym and cafeteria to take part in four interactive science-themed “funstations” provided by Mad Science of Pittsburgh.

Station themes include electricity, polymer playground, dry-ice capades and the science of toys.

The event is made possible by a School Readiness grant from the United Way.

Kiski Area is a member of the United Way of Southwestern PA Transition Teams, which include 17 school districts in Westmoreland County.

During the one-hour program, parents and guardians will attend a meeting with elementary principals from the East, North and South Primary elementary schools.

The event is open to all incoming 2022-23 kindergarten students and their families in the district. It’s sponsored by the KASD School Readiness Team.

“The purpose of the plan is to create a smooth transition to a full-day kindergarten program in the fall, ” said Kiski Area North Primary School Principal Christine Ross.

Additional scheduled events for incoming kindergarteners include kinder camp, a kindergarten kick-off, a meet-the-teacher night and kindergarten screenings.

Online kindergarten registration is open for the 2022-23 school year on the district website.

Last year, online registration was launched in place of in-person registration for incoming students because of the pandemic.

“Online seemed to work out well for us last year,” said Kiski Area East Primary School Principal Pat Marchand.

Before the pandemic, the district offered a three-day registration window for prospective kindergarteners and their families, but those were canceled in 2021 and will not return, according to Kiski Area administrative employee Michelle Barclay.

Students who are 5 by Sept. 1 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten.

All incoming new kindergarteners will need the following document information to register: birth certificate, immunization record and two proofs of parent/guardian’s residency.

The documents may be uploaded or scanned online during registration.

Last year, 239 students combined enrolled in kindergarten at the North, South and East Primary elementary schools.

If the district closes or cancels evening activities because of bad weather, “Family Science Night” will be rescheduled and a makeup date posted at kiskiarea.com.

Families without access to register online may pick up paper packets at the central administration office or any district school.

Once completed, packets must be turned into the central office.

For more information, contact Barclay at 724-842-0453 or email michelle.barclay@kiskiarea.com.