Here’s a new twist on public schools: Online Playdates. Sort of.

Several grassroots efforts have begun to connect incoming Kindergarten students — and their families — with each other before school starts in the Fall. And most of them are using “Yahoo Groups” for organization, recruiting, and communication:

Many of the efforts are focused on specific schools, but at least one is designed for all kids entering any WG public school this fall — and they’re hosting a real non-virtual playdate this Saturday:

Come to a community playdate on Sat. May 3, 2008 10-12 at River Glen Park. Contact Holly Barr at (408) 887-3225 holly@hollybar.net with any questions or if you want to help! We have a group from Schallenberger and are looking to start a group for Galarza, Canoas and Willow Glen Elementary!

Many of you have heard the ancient African proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” We live in a wonderful neighborhood with great neighbors and friends surrounding us. Even if you are just thinking about what school you want your child to attend, now is the time to meet some families to see where the best fit might be and create our school community and culture. If you are like me and want your child to go play around the corner with his friend that he attended school with earlier that day, then this is the place to be. We are here to strengthen and build the neighborhood community and school and we need you to help to create our village.

Thank you!

Holly Barr … Mom of Bryce, future kindergartner in 2009

—-

By the way – and totally unrelated to Willow Glen – an incoming-Kindergarten parent in San Francisco is in the middle of a blog telling the story of one parent’s search for a kindergarten in San Francisco. Check it out, and be thankful it’s not that hard down here. Or is it? Anyone want to blog about it? WGx will host!

Hit tap: CBS-5’s “Eye on Blogs“

Recent WGx posts in eMail from VIPs

Recent WGx posts in Neighborhood Schools