It’s official. Orion students and parents can look forward to all day every day kindergarten beginning this fall.
On Jan. 14 the school board voted unanimously for the change from the current all day, alternating day schedule.
‘Our students will join the more than 60 percent of our nation’s kindergarten students in benefiting from this all day every day program,? said Ken Gutman, Orion’s superintendent.
Boardmembers, administrators, educators and community members alike voiced their support for the change, citing national research and international trends.
According to 35 different research articles given to the board, kindergarten students in part-time programs are developmentally behind those in all-day programs, and not just in academics.
Studies show academic weakness in first grade is directly related to low self-esteem and depression in middle school.
‘We do believe the early success will transcend K through 12 and beyond,? Gutman said.
Amy Curtis lives in the area and has two children at Pine Tree Elementary. When they began school, one participated in an all day, every day (ADED K) program, and the other participated in the all day, alternating day program.
She says she can easily recognize the benefits of ADED K.
‘The biggest difference is seeing the confidence my child had after going all day, every day,? Curtis said.
Kindergarten students in the US in ADED K programs learn the same volume of material as those in alternating day programs, but with nearly twice the amount of class time.
‘It takes the pressure off learning,? said Curtis.
Lila Dyer, another area mom, noted the inconsistency of alternating day programs.
‘ADED K gives kids the opportunity to learn more,? she said. ‘And they still have free time. It’s still kindergarten.?
At the board meeting, the overwhelming majority was for the change. In fact, of the ten area residents who spoke at the podium, only one felt negatively about ADED K.
Wendy Yearwood was the sole dissenting voice.
‘I will never support this,? she said. ‘It’s going to burn out what should be a positive experience.?
Yearwood said she was also disappointed in the lack of information available to the community as the decision to switch came only seven months before the new school year. She suggested waiting until the 2010/2011 school year to implement the change.
‘Is it necessary to rush this program?? she said.
Community members have also requested an alternate choice in kindergarten programs.
Boardmember Janet Wolverton expressed her displeasure at ADED K being the only option.
‘If I had little ones today, I know that I would be highly frustrated that there is no option,? she said.
Though, in addition to ADED K, the district will offer a pre-kindergarten program to families who feel their students aren’t ready to attend an all-day program.
Teachers and administrators will have to use the coming seven months carefully. Everything from daily schedules to entire curriculums will need restructuring.
To assuage concerns, Assistant Superintendent Heidi Kast said the district plans on hosting workshops for school staff and for parents to help with the transition.
‘But we will deliver an exemplary program that takes into account developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities in the classroom,? she said.
Gutman added that the district only hires kindergarten teachers with an early-childhood development certification, allowing them to create curricula sensitive to a five-year-old’s needs, including lots of play.
‘We need this change to be competative,? Boardmember Bob Gritzinger said, urging the board to vote for ADED K.
In addition to creating a better learning environment for students, the decision to revamp the program was also an important financial step for the district.
A provision in the state’s school-aid package provides full funding for ADED K students while cutting funding for part-time programs–a change which shows the state’s support of all day, everyday programs.
Boardmember Tina Peterson believes that this will be a positive change for the district.
‘We always try to do what’s best for our kids,? she said. ‘Our decision is not just based on finances.?
From Feb. 2 to 9, the district will hold informational sessions for parents. For session times and detailed research information please visit the district’s website, www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us.