Wicomico School System Hosts 3rd Annual School Readiness Fair Friday, July 16

Families with children ages 0-5 can learn more about early childhood education and expectations July 16 at the 3rd Annual School Readiness Fair, put on by the Wicomico County Public Schools.

The School Readiness Fair, a cooperative effort by the Wicomico County Board of Education and the Judy Center Partnership, will take place from 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Pemberton Elementary. This free event for young children and their families will showcase the many aspects of early childhood education and services available in the community, and will help parents and guardians ensure that their child is ready to get a good start on school.

"You can't wait anymore for children to enter prekindergarten or kindergarten to begin the schooling process. Preparation for school and life must begin early, and parents and other caregivers have to help children to have all the information they need to ensure a successful beginning," said Sandra Drummond, supervisor of early childhood programs.

Children will have the opportunity to meet Buster the School Bus, who will guide them through the basics of school bus safety. They'll also get to board a school bus and talk with the driver. Inside the School Readiness Fair, they'll be able to meet principals and assistant principals from Wicomico elementary schools, and pick up free learning materials to take home.

Parents will be able to visit tables with information on child care centers, child care providers, the Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center, Head Start, the Judy Center (serving children in the Beaver Run and Pemberton school districts), Wicomico County Library and the Wicomico County Health Department, which will have information on programs and immunizations.

Families who have not registered for prekindergarten or kindergarten will have the chance to do so. Door prizes, dinner, crafts will also be provided. Participants in this year's fair will be treated to a performance by the school system's band, the Edge-ucators, featuring Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and other school system employees.

Community agencies that would like to participate in the event should contact Sandra Drummond to register at 410-677-4580. To ensure that materials are in adequate supply, families wishing to attend the event should also contact Drummond at this number to sign up.