Kindergarteners Get Back-to-School Surprise

When William Cross got a welcome packet from Kirkwood High School the other day, his mother was surprised. After all, William is only 6 years old.

“He’s 6 going on 16 and they know it, evidently,” Cross joked.

William is actually getting ready to start full-day kindergarten at Westchester Elementary School. His red-and-blue backpack, baseball lunch box and polka-dot nap mat are all set for the first day of school Aug. 17.

But apparently a mix-up in address lists prepared by the district office led to the high school Parent Teacher Organization mailing informational packets to some incoming kindergarteners, said Ginger Fletcher, district spokeswoman. She said she did not know how many were sent out incorrectly.

The mailings were intended to solicit donations and volunteers for the KHS PTO and promote the parent open house at the high school later this month, said Terri Wingert, KHS PTO co-president.

Jessie Hebrank, whose daughter, Kaili, 5, is starting kindergarten this year, also got a mailing.

“I just looked at it and thought, well this is weird,” Hebrank said. “I’m all for getting involved, but this seems a little early.”

Wingert hadn't heard about the mailing mix-up, but she played along: "We're trying to get them enthused about high school a little early."