When students begin arriving for those first days of Kindergarten, there is often no discussion or thought of graduation. It is a milestone that appears so distant that it seems it couldn’t be affected by this first year. However, a tradition in its eighth year has brought conversations of what the future might hold to the forefront.
The Kindergarten classes of Transylvania County Schools all received their “Class of 2034” shirts recently. This event allows teachers and administrators to have a conversation with the students that while 2034 may sound far away, the lessons, actions, and effort put into their schooling starting now will play a role in reaching graduation day.
Director of Early Learning, Audrey Reneau, started this tradition in Transylvania County in 2013 and truly believes in its impact on the students. “By presenting the students with these shirts, we can start the conversation of looking at the long-range goal of graduation with not only the student but their families,” said Reneau.
“When the shirts began, it was also a way to make our youngest students feel like a part of our TCS family,” Reneau stated. “But with the addition of Pre-K programs at all of our elementary schools, it was necessary that we start a tradition for our new youngest learners.” So beginning in 2020, all students attending the Pre-K program received matching Transylvania County Schools Pre-K shirts.
Reneau concluded that “while in Pre-K and Kindergarten, students and staff are encouraged to wear their shirts when off campus representing TCS as well as on Fridays, which is typically school spirit day.”
