On May 24, Fogelsville Elementary School is hosting a “Transition Day” program for 47 Jaindl Elementary students who will be transferring in next fall due to redistricting within Parkland School District.

Fogelsville Principal Brenda DeRenzo said the program, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is to include time in classrooms, an assembly, lunch and recess.

At the Foxes' Den Assembly (Fogelsville’s mascot is a fox), students will see a slide show highlighting some of the school’s enticing features, such as its garden and fitness track. The Fogelsville Elementary students will sing the school’s theme song, written by the school music teacher.  

“I know change is difficult and we just want to get them excited about coming,” DeRenzo said.

Sometimes the transfers can be more difficult for the parents than the students, who are usually pretty resilient, she said. Last year some students from Parkway Manor in Cetronia transferred to Fogelsville and quickly fit in. 

The 47 Jaindl students will be coming from kindergarten through fourth grade and were chosen based on address, she said. “They had to redistrict," DeRenzo said. "The growth in the Jaindl area just exploded." Fogelsville Elementary currently has 435 students.

DeRenzo said parents of Jaindl students who are transferring to Fogelsville are invited to attend the principal’s forum at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at Fogelsville Elementary -- where she’ll answer questions --  and the school’s PTO meeting at 7 p.m.

Jaindl has exceeded the school district’s growth expectations since its construction. Officials point to new developments in that area of the district, primarily new townhouses.