Penn Hills Elementary School (PHES) recently hosted its annual Kindergarten Transition Night, a special event designed to welcome incoming kindergarteners and their families to the school community. Throughout the evening, families were invited to rotate through a series of interactive stations located in key areas of the building. As they visited classrooms and spaces they'll soon frequent, such as the library, art room, cafeteria, and gym, they experienced a preview of what the upcoming school year has in store. 

While students completed activities in different areas of the school, such as story time in a kindergarten classroom and scooter racing in the gym, this year included a new station where incoming kindergarteners received iPads. 

At PHES, we understand that technology plays a vital role in our students' lives—both inside and outside the classroom. That's why every learning space is equipped with interactive whiteboards and a suite of digital tools, all thoughtfully woven into daily lessons. But technology in our schools isn't an end in itself; we challenge students to use it purposefully—to collaborate, create, and think critically. And because we recognize the importance of fresh air and movement in a child's development, outdoor exploration and physical activity remain our top priorities. With this balanced approach, the district is taking proactive steps to introduce meaningful tech experiences that enrich learning while keeping our students active, healthy, and engaged. 

Each student registered for kindergarten received an iPad preloaded with educational apps, designed to support foundational skills such as letter recognition, counting, and other key concepts students will learn in kindergarten. By providing students with access to these tools over the summer, the district hopes to turn what would have been casual screen time into an engaging learning experience. 

"As a parent of an incoming kindergarten student, I know there's nothing more important than outdoor play and physical activity, and for focused learning, reading together remains my top choice. That said, I also recognize that limited, purposeful screen time—using thoughtfully preloaded iPad apps—can enrich their experience and give them a boost of readiness for the fall," said Dr. Matt Dado, Director of Technology and Innovation for the Penn Hills School District. 

If your child is registered for kindergarten at PHES for the 2025-2026 school year and has not yet received an iPad, please ensure that your registration is complete. iPads will be distributed at two of the four summer events for incoming kindergarteners:

• Kinder Storytime at Penn Hills Library - Tuesday, June 17 at 1 p.m.
• Kinder Readiness with Pete the Cat at PHES - Tuesday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m.

If you are unable to attend either of these events, please contact the school. 

By introducing these tools early, PHES is giving its youngest learners a head start, helping them build confidence and familiarity with the resources they'll use in the classroom, and equipping parents with a step-by-step support program complete with guidance and activities to reinforce learning at home.