Briarwood Starts Kindergarten Signing Day Tradition

Briarwood Elementary is closing this school year with a new tradition for incoming kindergarten students and their families. Briarwood's Class of 2038 kindergarten students were invited to take a peek inside the school where they'll begin their K-12 journey. They and their families looked inside classrooms, where the kids participated in fun activities and then got to "sign" a paper with their handprints. 

Briarwood Principal Amanda Sumner said the idea behind having a Signing Day is to create a special and celebratory moment for children entering kindergarten, similar to how athletes sign with teams or students commit to colleges.

This event helps mark the beginning of a student's educational journey in a positive, memorable way. It formally welcomes them and families into the school community and invites parents to be active participants in their child's education from the very beginning, sending the message that school is a team effort.

- Principal Amanda Sumner

She continued that she hopes to build excitement, pride and a sense of belonging for students and their families through the new Signing Day event. She said by recognizing kindergarten as a milestone, families feel more connected and supported, while children begin to associate school with joy and importance.

"Just like signing events for sports or college, this tells kids, 'You matter. This is a big deal. We’re excited to have you here,'" Sumner said. 

For some of the youngest in the district, Sumner explained that turning the event of starting school into a celebration makes the "first step" into the school setting feel special instead of scary. Additionally, meeting teachers, touring the classrooms, and participating in fun activities help reduce the unknowns and make the transition less intimidating.

Sumner said, "Hopefully, on the first day, students will recognize a few of the faces they saw at Signing Day and it will ease their fears and foster confidence."  

Sumner hopes her staff sees the Signing Day event as an opportunity to connect early with families, build relationships and set a tone of care and enthusiasm. She continued that an event like this reinforces the idea that an educator's work is deeply meaningful and that every student’s journey starts with encouragement and community and can build a positive school culture centered on celebration, inclusion, and partnership.