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Incoming Kindergartener - Parent Resources

Welcome, Class of 2038!

Four children smile from inside a car, showing their excitement.

In the Chehalis School District, we’re preparing students for the journey ahead. In the fall of 2025, we will be excited to welcome the Class of 2038 to our hallways – yes, that’s you, incoming Kindergarteners! Whether this is your first student or you’ve been through the first day of Kindergarten with a student before, we know this is an exciting time for families. We want you to know we’re excited to get to know you and your student. In this page, you’ll find resources to help you know what kindergarten readiness looks like, as well as some ideas for how you can partner with us to help your student prepare for the journey ahead.

Step #1 – Is Your Student Kindergarten Ready?

Students need to be 5 by Aug. 31 to start kindergarten this year but age isn’t the only factor we want you to look at. Being kindergarten ready means a student has developed some of the physical, cognitive and social-emotional skills they will need to begin their kindergarten journey. Use the illustration at the bottom of this page and these handouts to help you look for kindergarten ready behavior in your student:

CLICK HERE to read more about kindergarten ready behavior in English

CLICK HERE to read more about kindergarten ready behavior in Spanish

Step #2 – Register

Step #3 – Get Ready for the Journey

  • If you have not done so already, after Aug. 13, call James Lintott Elementary at (360) 807-7215 to register your student for their kindergarten screening as well as to receive your kindergarten information packet. 
  • Plan to attend our Kindergarten Carnival 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 at James Lintott Elementary. This free event is for both incoming and outgoing kindergarteners and is a fun way to learn about our schools and the skills students need to be successful

Get to Know Kindergarten

School: James Lintott Elementary

School Mascot: Bobcats

School Colors: Crimson & Gray

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (note, this is 10 minutes later than Orin Smith Elementary) and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday PAWS days.

Administrators: Principal Merisa Wilson, Assistant Principal Joey Easley

Meals: all students receive meals free of cost (first meal only). Families who meet income qualifications are encouraged to still fill out free/reduced lunch applications to qualify for other benefits. CLICK HERE to get started.

Fees: There are no student fees. You could be charged fees for broken or lost library books and technology.

Communication: All parents in the Chehalis School District receive communications through ParentSquare. After July 9, all incoming kindergarten parents will automatically begin receiving ParentSquare messages via email. If you would like to receive messages via text or app notification or would like messages in a language other than English, you need to register your account. CLICK HERE to learn more about using ParentSquare.

 

Good to Know

Say Your Goodbyes at the Door

  • For the safety and security of our entire building, families are not allowed to walk their students to their classrooms in the morning or to pick them up inside the building in the afternoon. We ask that all families say their goodbyes at the front door of the building. This includes the first day. Please make sure you and your student are prepared for this. We have many staff available in the morning who can welcome students and help them get settled for their day.

Staggered Starts

  • The Chehalis School District offered staggered start times for our four main buildings. W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) and Chehalis Middle School (grades 6-8) start and end one hour before James Lintott Elementary (grades K-2) and Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5). Orin Smith Elementary also starts and ends 10 minutes before James Lintott Elementary. If you have students in more than one building, please plan accordingly. 
  • For families that need assistance with our staggered starts, the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County offers before- and after-school care, which includes bus transportation, and Bethel Church offers a before-school prorgam daily as well as an after-school program on Wednesdays for PAWS early release. You can read more about these options through THIS LINK.

PAWS Days

Transportation: 

If your student will ride the bus:

If you plan to drive your student:

  • Make sure you fill out your transportation form so the school is aware you will be picking up your student. Make sure you provide information for all those who may be picking up your student
  • James Lintott Elementary parents use the far right lane for morning drop offs and the middle and far right lane for afternoon pick ups. If you wish to get out of your vehicle and walk your student to the building, please park in a parking spot to do so. Please do not drop students off in the parking lot area.
  • Our parking lots can be very congested right before and right after school, especially on the first day of school. Please plan your schedule to be able to obey the school zone speed limit of 20 mph  and parking lot speed limits of 5 mph and to yield to pedestrains.

How Can Families Help?

Want to know how you can help your student be kindergarten ready? There are many things that require little or no money and may be activities you are already planning on this summer.

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