To help ease the transition into the 2020-‘21 school year, the Mercer Island School District (MISD) has announced a new weekly read-aloud series for incoming kindergarteners and their parents.

Sessions will be held remotely over Zoom. The recurring event is in part a response to the difficulties surrounding in-person playdates amid coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

“We know that face-to-face Kindergarten playgroups are not possible at this point,” district representatives said in a recent Facebook post.

The weekly read-aloud will last about 20 minutes, and, according to the district, include a story and an introduction of a staff member. Meetings will also entail participating kindergarteners get acquainted with each other.

According to the MISD, families should look for an email from the district about the series if they have already enrolled for kindergarten in the fall.

“We want this to be accessible to all families,” officials added in the Facebook post, noting that the email should include more Zoom information.

Dates are:

• July 14
• July 21
• July 28
• Aug. 4
• Aug. 11
• Aug. 18
• Aug. 25

Each session will begin at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact Heidi Clark at heidi.clark@mercerislandschools.org.