Skip to Content

Update on Full Day Kindergarten

by Dave Atkins

This week's Hometown Weekly has a short column I wrote with some questions and information about the proposed changes to be presented to the school board on Thursday, February 26. I mention a number of resources that I link to below:

Today I had the opportunity to attend a "Parent Discussion Meeting on School Readiness" where Peggy Scott, Principal at Martha Jones Elementary School, and Carol Craig-O'Brian from the Early Childhood Office, described what Kindergarten is really like and what "readiness" means. I highly recommend any parent who has questions attend the next session on Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30am at the Islington Community Center (MMO). If you cannot attend that session and are concerned about "readiness" you should call the Principal of your elementary school.

I did not identify myself as "media" and I won't quote anyone here, but I hope relating some of this information will be helpful.

The most important concept that was communicated was a philosophy in Westwood of the fundamental acceptance of every child. Although the increasing emphasis on a structured curriculum is a direct consequence of the state's Education Reform Act of 1993 and the MCAS requirements, the issue for kindergartners is about availability for learning--not specific knowledge they are required to obtain. Can the children sit still long enough to listen to a story? Have they learned the basics of "delayed gratification--i.e. can they wait their turn or tolerate not getting what they want at the moment? And from parents, do they believe--and communicate this belief to the child--that the child is ready and will be OK?

The longer day is intended to allow for more time--a greater opportunity for connection between the kids and adults and more exposure to different activities and settings--large groups, small groups, one-on-one, free time, play time, etc., without the pressure to fit everything in to a few hours. The state requires every town provide a free morning Kindergarten program, but the intent of the longer day is definitely NOT to divide the day into two periods. It is to spread out the activities and reinforce them.

In Westwood, 100% of parents choose the optional program that costs $1200. The Early Childhood Office can assist parents with financial concerns in obtaining scholarships.

The Early Childhood Office is planning a number of events to help parents and kids make the transition to Kindergarten (all details TBA via Kindergarten packet, etc.):

  • June playground events - during the first week of June, in late afternoon, each school will host an informal, optional party where parents and children can meet at the school and become familiar with neighbors and friends who will be starting kindergarten together.
  • Kindergarten T-shirts - green shirts with Westwood Kindergarten on the front and the name of the school on the back will be a big hit with the kids to wear around town this summer.
  • Wheels on the Bus - in the beginning of June, there will be an event where kids get on the school bus, hear the rules of riding the bus and meet the driver. The bus won't go anywhere--this is just a fun event to acquaint kids and parents with the routine.
  • Calendar stickers - still in the planning stages, but the idea is to make up calendars for the summer months with stickers suggesting activities to do over the summer to mark the time as Kindergarten approaches.

Orientation begins around Patriots' Day when the Kindergarten Packet is mailed out to all parents with kids eligible to start Kindergarten in the Fall (From the Town Census). Each parent will be asked to schedule a 1-hour slot on May 6-7 with their child to meet with the Principal. In the past, these sessions were done district-wide but now the process has been moved to each school to better promote connections in the local community around that school.

The Kindergarten packet and the open houses that will be scheduled will include the sort of "day in the life" information I had hoped for.

Summer Boys

The touchy topic that parents are concerned about is the issue of holding kids out for a year. The consequence, for my daughter, born in August, is that she has classmates who are 18 months older than she. For us, that seems a big difference and we wonder how she'll handle it.

She'll be fine. Readiness is not a step on a ladder--it is an initial condition of entry. If the kids are not ready to sit down, listen, wait, and maintain composure, then the whole experience will be bad for the class. But if there are advanced kids in the class...it just adds to the diversity. Kindergarten is about preparing to learn and becoming a part of the school community. Learning is about responding to challenges. The teacher will work to include and involve everyone and the children will move through their school experience as a social cohort, navigating their many differences as part of the learning process.

Perhaps some kids could have started sooner. But that's not my call, and I believe it doesn't matter. Life is full of learning to relate to people who are not like you and the only problem would be starting that process too soon because the children would be set up for failure. Their emotional "unreadiness" would get in the way of their capacity to learn. That's how I'm thinking about it now...and I'm excited for my first child to start!

The town could do more in communicating information...but really, there is no substitute for meeting and talking with the people involved. It is clear from my conversations with people in our school system that EVERYONE has the best interests of our kids at heart. Ultimately, we are fortunate to have these choices and to live in a town with a great education system.

Additional Resources and Ideas

  • The Library will have a book list (probably in the Kindergarten packet too) of books about transition.
  • Best way to "assess" readiness is to talk with school Principal. Kindergarten packet will include release forms that will allow Principal to talk with preschool, daycare providers to help parents make a decision.
  • Parents support of kids readiness is part of kids readiness. Acknowledge their nervousness and relate back to experiences where the child overcame reluctance.
  • Visiting the school playground, etc. "this will be your school!" is a good idea to help kids start thinking positively.
  • A matter-of-fact approach by parents is best to avoid raising stress.

 

Submitted by Dave Atkins on February 11, 2009 - 3:11pm
Tagged in: