Getting Ready for School

Each season brings new routines, activities, and opportunities to help children succeed in school. Explore our seasonal tips for fall, winter, spring, and summer to find simple ways families can help students feel prepared and arrive at school ready to learn every day.

Get Ready in the Fall

Provider Programs offered during after-school hours are available to SPS students and are delivered by external community partners at SPS schools and facilities (unless noted). They are often aligned with the school-day curriculum, providing meaningful enrichment and extended learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Learn how to enroll in preschool and kindergarten by attending a virtual or in-person information session. If you miss the sessions, you can still watch the videos and look through the slideshows for preschool and Kindergarten, as they become available.

Read aloud 15 minutes a day. Read to your child and have books available. Reading with your child in any language supports brain development and literacy.

Count objects from 1-10, such as fruit, napkins, or toys.

Get Ready in the Winter

Provider Programs offered during after-school hours are available to SPS students and are delivered by external community partners at SPS schools and facilities (unless noted). They are often aligned with the school-day curriculum, providing meaningful enrichment and extended learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend a tour during the School Tours Events. Tours are an opportunity to learn more about individual schools and may inform your family’s decision about which school is right for your child.

Enroll during the priority enrollment period to increase the chances your child will be able to attend your first choice school. Visit the SPS Preschool Enrollment page or Kindergarten Enrollment page to learn more.

Practice self-help skills. Using the bathroom, getting dressed and eating are important skills to build independence at school. Self-help Skills to Get Ready for School: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole.

Make an appointment to visit the doctor and dentist before the first day of school.

Get Ready in the Spring

Provider Programs offered during after-school hours are available to SPS students and are delivered by external community partners at SPS schools and facilities (unless noted). They are often aligned with the school-day curriculum, providing meaningful enrichment and extended learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

2027 Date Coming Soon 9-10 a.m. on Zoom

Watch a recording of the 2026 Getting Ready for Kindergarten Workshop.

This workshop is for families of children entering kindergarten in the fall. Families can register here. A Somerville Public School kindergarten teacher will share information about kindergarten and family liaisons will be able to answer school-specific questions

Getting Ready For Kindergarten: A Family Guide to Support the Transition to School

Getting Ready for Kindergarten | Preparándonos para kindergarten! | Preparando-se para o Jardim de Infância! | Preparasyon ou Jadendanfan!

In this guide, you will find:

  • Key information about Somerville Public Schools kindergarten classrooms
  • The people who support your child’s educational journey
  • Ideas to help your child get ready for kindergarten
  • Ways to be active in supporting your child’s success
  • Somerville Public Schools contact information 

Join the School Readiness Playgroup, a free 6-week playgroup for families with children 3-5 years old who have not yet attended school. Meet new friends and practice important school readiness skills. Contact Kristin Arcangeli at sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us or call (617) 625-6600 x 6990 to register.

Follow SFLC Playgroups on Facebook @SFLCplaygroups or contact Kristin Arcangeli at sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us, (617) 625-6600 x 6990 to learn about upcoming child development workshops.

Build vocabulary. Talk about what you see around you. Ask your child what he/she is doing. How did you make that? What are you are building?   

Take your child to their new school’s playground- a great way to get familiar with their new school.

Get Ready in the Summer

Provider Programs offered during after-school hours are available to SPS students and are delivered by external community partners at SPS schools and facilities (unless noted). They are often aligned with the school-day curriculum, providing meaningful enrichment and extended learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Read a story with your child about their new school to help them get excited about their first day!

Meet other families at your school’s summer meet-up (sometimes called a popsicle party). Reach out to your school’s family liaison for details.

Attend the Get Ready For School Fair in the summer. Start the new school year with fun and learning! Come talk with SPS staff, learn more about your school, discover activities and programs, and meet other families in Somerville. There will be book swaps, free backpacks, kid-friendly activities and more!

Meet your child’s teacher before the first day of school on Monday, August 31st or Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.

Take your child to their new school’s playground- a great way to get familiar with their new school.

Get a library card to check out books, audiobooks and movies for free at the Somerville Public Library. All Somerville residents ages 5 and up can get a library card.