12/11/2013

School proposes full-day program for all kindergartners next year

Staff and administrators at Pond Cove Elementary School are pleased with how a pilot full-day kindergarten has gone during the first months of the 2013-14 school year, and say they support expanding the program for all students next year.

"We feel the time is right for Cape, and we're excited for the opportunity," said Principal Kelly Hasson.

At their meeting Dec. 10, 2013, the School Board heard a presentation from Hasson and Assistant Principal Julie Nickerson, about full-day kindergarten in general, and about the pilot full-day kindergarten program that is serving half of the school's 98 kindergartners. [Download Powerpoint Presentation | Proposal Document]

"Based on referenced research and empirical information gathered, full-day kindergarten is our recommended model to build the foundation for children’s cognitive and social skills, providing the time for differentiated instructional opportunities and social experiences to meet a range of student needs," Hasson read from a slide-show presentation.

This fall, Pond Cove offered a full-day program to half of the kindergarten class through a lottery system. Eighty-nine percent of incoming kindergarten families entered the lottery, and the 50 families that responded to a recent survey said they favored full-day kindergarten for all students.

Academic fruits of the pilot have yet to be measured, but Pond Cove staff observe the added time for learning, social interaction, and community building results in a more relaxed learning situation for students.

Parent support

Two parents speaking at the meeting also supported a full-day program for all kindergartners next year. One, Amy Lombardo, said she entered the lottery for her child last spring even though she was not sold on full-day kindergarten. "My husband and I have been so pleasantly surprised with how wonderful full-day actually is," she said. Her two older children did well in the half-day programs, but as a parent and a volunteer she sees the advantages of a more relaxed school day for kindergartners. "I am a huge advocate of full day right now," she said.

Teddy Stoecklein, whose child attends half-day, pointed to the statistic that 63 percent of half-day kindergartners in Cape Elizabeth attend an additional program outside of the system. "It's clear that people want full-day, I think the data shows it's very important, so I think that we should do as a community everything possible to make it happen," he said.

Budget implications

No numbers were supplied, but the report did outline budget implications associated with expanding full-day kindergarten.

The current kindergarten wing, built in 2004, has four classrooms: two rooms with full-day classes and two that house with four, half-day classes. Full day for all students will require at least two more classrooms, and possibly a third to accommodate the increased enrollment a full-day program is likely to attract, based on experience in neighboring communities.

School Superintendent Meredith Nadeau said a recent facilities study indicated enough space is available to address the classroom needs without new construction. Renovations and associated costs would be discussed when the board plans next year's budget.

Class size guidelines of 18 students for kindergarten, 20 for grades 1 and 2; and 22 for grades 3 and 4 would remain in place.

Additional budget implications include:

• Hiring new kindergarten teachers
  
• Addition of regular-education educational technicians (following the models of Cumberland, Falmouth and Yarmouth)
  
• Transportation
  
• Kitchen staff & equipment
  
• Allied Arts (physical education, art, music, etc.) for all kindergarten students