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By SCOTT MIMS / Staff Writer

Calera Elementary School officials made the decision to cancel Kindergarten Camp for the summer of 2020.

CES Principal Genét Holcomb sent a letter home to parents explaining that the decision to cancel the years-long tradition was not taken lightly.

“This decision did not come without a lot of thought and consideration,” Holcomb said. “In short, the thought process behind canceling K Camp is that with so many details being collaborated over to prepare for the reopening of school, my staff and I felt it was better to take K Camp off the table.”

In years past, she explained, Kindergarten Camp provided students with an opportunity to experience a sort of “trial run” that served to increase their excitement about the upcoming school year. Educators also spend time assessing students in order to make decisions regarding class placement.

But a new plan is in place to accomplish the same goals this year, Holcomb said.

“To accomplish some of these same goals, we are preparing a Virtual Tour and introduction of staff for our upcoming kindergartners,” she said. “As parents have enrolled their students, they have been given a questionnaire to complete that will give us important information about students’ experiences and current skills.”

Holcomb thanked parents for completing the questionnaires. She also said that kindergarten staff, administrators, the counselor and math coach are collaborating over the upcoming Virtual Tour. Specifics about the project will be shared closer to the beginning of school.

“I have no doubt that with a strong partnership among our parents and school members, the 2020-2021 school year will be amazing,” Holcomb wrote in the letter to parents, adding the hashtags #whatyoudomatters and #together.