ROCKINGHAM – Teachers, principals, and other staff of the Richmond County Schools spent an enjoyable afternoon at Discovery Place KIDS in Rockingham on Thursday, August 16, as the doors were opened to allow students beginning kindergarten next week to explore the museum, as well as learn new skills. For many of the parents and children, this was their first visit to Discovery Place KIDS, and there was no shortage of compliments and accolades for the museum.
Some of the special areas of the museum include the Rockingham Speedway, the Firefighters Academy, Fresh Produce, Pet Vet Animal Clinic, and Peaches Café. Five-year old Shamiah who will be attending Fairview Heights “prepared” a healthy meal of chicken, vegetables, and strawberries for her mom at the café. Future LJ Bell student “Ryker” is already speaking six languages, his mom shared, as he played with the trains and a variety of other exhibits throughout the museum.
Wendy Taylor of Monroe Avenue Elementary School in Hamlet greeted the future Tigers at her table, decorated with colorful books and stuffed animals. Washington Street Elementary School Eagles staff Angela Watkins, Lauren Morgan, Shuris Campbell, and Zachery Scott invited their new students to “Soar into Kindergarten,” Assistant Principal Kevin Wallace, Academic Coach Angel Mabe, and Reading Interventionist Nicole Pait of East Rockingham Elementary School set up a very colorful table with books, pencils, and “manipulatives” for their students.
The West Rockingham Leopard was there—in full costume—to delight all the children in attendance. School staff included Tonya Baldwin, Angela Horne, Shannon Hughes, and Willette Surgeon. Fairview Heights Elementary, LJ Bell, and Mineral Springs also set up attractive tables, and staff greeted parents and children as they entered the museum.
In addition to the schools, the local Girl Scouts membership director Jamie Gerald greeted people as they ventured downstairs with a very attractive set-up. Membership in the Girl Scouts includes girls in grades K-12, and Gerald’s office is located at 54 West Main Street in Hamlet. Their motto is “building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” For more information about the area chapter, call (910) 384-6641.
Debra Knight and Peggy Wilkes of the Leath Library in Rockingham had a table full of “goodies” for the students as they promoted their summer reading program—LIBRARIES ROCK!– which is coming to a close. The ladies shared they have had a busy summer and many children and adults participated in the various programs and activities.
A kindergarten classroom was set up for the students to visit, allowing them to become familiar with the environment they may be encountering for the first time as schools begin next week here in Richmond County. Other stations were set up throughout the museum allowing the children to learn or practice new skills, such as cutting with scissors.
This Open House was a wonderful collaboration between Discovery Place KIDS and the Richmond County Schools to give families in the community with students enrolling in kindergarten the opportunity to visit the children’s museum, as well as see their school staff in a place outside the school walls or property.
For more information about upcoming events at Discovery Place KIDS, which is located at 233 East Washington Street in Rockingham, you can call (910) 997-5266 or visit their website, www.discoveryplace.org.
