Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo by Nate McCullough

SUWANEE -- Katelynn Hoopes said she is looking forward to "everything" about kindergarten.

The 4-year-old said she thinks her first year in elementary school will be fun.

When asked what she thinks she'll do in kindergarten, Katelynn replied, "Learn."

Families throughout Gwinnett County visited elementary schools Thursday to register for kindergarten. The school system projects 12,412 kindergartners will attend public school next year.

"Today's exciting, because we're meeting our newest family members," said Nancy Kiel, the principal of Level Creek Elementary School.

While parents filled out paperwork, the children played and met with teachers for a brief assessment of their knowledge of things like colors, shapes and numbers.

Charlene Spreadbury visited Level Creek to register her youngest child, Amanda, for kindergarten.

"I can't believe it," she said. "I can't believe my youngest is starting school."

Spreadbury said she's glad her daughter will be attending a full-day kindergarten program, as her other two children were enrolled in half-day programs in a different state.

"I'm excited about what she'll learn," she said.

Sameena Sahibzada was registering her oldest child, 5-year-old Omar, for school.

"He's so ready to go," she said, as Omar wrote his name on a piece of paper covering a cafeteria table. "He's really excited about kindergarten. ... I joined up with the PTA."

Omar will be attending Roberts Elementary, one of five new elementary schools opening this August.

"I'm really excited about that," Sahibzada said. "He's really beginning at the beginning."

The new school year begins Aug. 9.