KINDERGARTEN KICKSTART UNDERWAY APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FESTIVAL AT FORT KING

Hundreds of 4- and 5-year-old students are experiencing school for the first time and Marion County Public School’s (MCPS) Kindergarten Kickstart is being offered to help them adjust.

The annual week-long experience at nearly every elementary school offers incoming kindergarten students (all 5 years old by Sept. 1, as required by state law) a head start to full-time school.

Benefits include bonding time between teachers and students and social time for learning and playing together, all while adjusting to a new school environment. The goal is to make kindergarten less intimidating before school starts Aug. 10, according to the news release.

MCPS also uses a “Stagger Start” approach to introduce younger students to full days of school. During the first three days on Aug. 10, 11 and 14, kindergarten classrooms will be divided into thirds so only one-third of each class attends school each day. This approach gives students more time to adapt to academic and social settings and provides more direct attention from teachers.

Parents and families with kindergarten-age students are encouraged to register students now instead of the first day of school. To do so, visit marionschools.net/Page/95028.

For more information, contact the Early Learning Department at (352) 671-6842.

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is seeking food and craft vendors, historical reenactors and demonstrators for the annual Festival at Fort King, Dec. 2 and 3. The historic-themed event will give guests a chance to step into life at Fort King in the 1800s. Local history will come to life with a re-enactment of the events that fueled the start of the Second Seminole War.

The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 25. For details and to apply, go to bit.ly/3Okaxo7