FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN Pilot Program Implementation Dr. Melissa Varley, Superintendent of Schools Donna Felezzola, Business Administrator Annie Corley-Hand, Principal 1
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS, FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN IS COMING TO BERKELEY HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2
Where We Are ● Presented the case for FDK last school year ● Received Board support for a pilot program to be implemented in the 2020/21 school year ● Objectives for tonight: Present the details of the pilot program ○ Where and how the program will be implemented ○ Overview of the requirements to implement the program ○ 3
Options for Implementation Option A - Pilot Program Discussed at ● Offer two full classes of 18 students each March 14, 2019 Board of Education ● Acceptance would be based on a lottery Meeting ● Tuition program paid by the family ● Identify where the program would be offered utilizing current classroom spaces ● The costs would include classroom upgrades, personnel, supplies ● The program costs would be part of the 2020/2021 budget ● Classes would begin September 2020 4
Benefits of Full Day Kindergarten ● Opportunities to address standards in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate manner ○ Integration of content areas through investigations and sustained projects ○ Uninterrupted Instructional Block ● More intentional and deliberate interactions with students ● Less class time lost due to delayed openings or early dismissal ● Time to play, socialize, collaborate, and practice self- regulatory skills 5
Steps to Implementation ● Identify Classroom Space and Location ○ Woodruff School - Has capacity for 2 kindergarten classrooms ○ Both classrooms have toilet rooms so facility upgrades are not necessary ○ Would follow the Woodruff schedule, starting and ending times ○ Scheduling changes would be made and the specials would be taught primarily by the Woodruff staff 6
Steps to Implementation ● Identify Classroom & School Needs ○ Classroom Furniture, Equipment & Supplies ○ Lunch Schedule ○ Playground equipment ● Identify Staffing Requirements ○ Two additional kindergarten teachers ○ One HELP teacher ○ Special education teacher, paraprofessionals and other staff TBD based on student needs 7
Steps to Implementation ● Transportation ○ Parents will be responsible for transporting their children to and from school ● Tuition ○ The annual tuition rate will be $7,500 ○ Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch will be handled on a case by case basis.
Steps to Implementation ● Lottery Process ○ Applications will be accepted between December 9, 2019 and January 15, 2020 ○ Lottery will take place on January 22, 2020 ○ Parents will be notified of acceptance by January 31, 2020 ○ A non-refundable deposit of 50% will be due by March 15, 2020 ○ Final payment will be due by July 1, 2020 9
8:25-8:40 Arrival 8:40 - 8:55 Morning Meeting/Read Draft Schedule Aloud 8:55-10:10 Language Arts Literacy Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop 10:10-10:25 Snack, Cleanup, Sharing 10:25 - 11:25 Choice Time Ongoing Investigations Project Work 11:25 - 12:15 Lunch/Recess 12:15 - 1:20 Math Explorations 1:20 - 1:50 Social Studies/Science 1:50 - 2:30 Related Arts 2:30 - 2:50 Sharing 10 Review
Questions “If kindergarten once was a cozy setting for cookies and naps, today we should know it as a curriculum-rich launching pad. There still may be cookies, but the bigger prize is giving all of our kids a clear shot at success.” 11 Arizona State University President, Michael Crow
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