Kindergarten registration event planned in Durham

This weekend marked the start of Durham's second annual Kindergarten Registration Week, a Durham-wide effort aimed at enrolling every eligible kindergartner as early as possible so they're ready for school.

During the week, volunteers and agencies will fan out across Durham to hand out registration information. Last year, they distributed 1,725 packets - reaching more than half of the incoming class.

This year, there also will be a Kindergarten Registration Celebration where parents can register their kindergartners on the spot, ask questions and even schedule their Kindergarten Health Assessment appointments. The celebration is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Hillside High School.  The event will also feature fun activities for kids including food trucks, face painting, crafts with Scrap Exchange, Wool E. Bull, the Library Bookmobile, firefighters and a fire truck, and free prizes for every child who registers at the event.