FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PILOT PROPOSAL

Plymouth Public Schools 2011 - 2012

FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

• State has increased the requirements of what students must learn in Kindergarten

• We have at-risk reading scores in the district• We want more time to focus on building social /

emotional growth• In 2005 – 2006, approximately 81% of school

districts in Massachusetts had some full-day Kindergarten and our students are held to the same standards as those with that increased time

• Currently there are 15 FTE Kindergarten Teachers• To add Full Day Kindergarten, we must add :

– 15 FTE Kindergarten Teachers (approximately $750,000)– 1.5 FTE Art Teacher (approximately $75,000)– 1.5 FTE Music Teacher (approximately $75,000)– 1.5 FTE PE Teacher (approximately $75,000)– 1.0 FTE Library (approximately $50,000)– 1.0 FTE Computer (approximately $50,000)– Supplies– 15 classrooms– Start Up (Furniture, Manipulatives, Teacher Materials)– Benefits– Approximate Cost Annually : $1,075,000

FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR ALL IN PLYMOUTH

GUIDELINES FROM STATE REGARDING FULL-DAY TUITION FOR KINDERGARTEN

Chapter 70 and SIMS data reporting •Children for whom tuition is charged for the second half of the full-day kindergarten program cannot be counted as full-time (1 FTE) students for Chapter 70 reimbursement.

Children on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) •Children on IEPs attend full-day kindergarten free of charge if their IEP specifies a full-day placement. •If full-day kindergarten is not district-wide, space should be reserved for children with an IEP that specifies a full-day placement

Lotteries •If the demand for full-day kindergarten is greater than the space available, a lottery may be held. Lotteries must be equitable, conducted through a public process, and selections made by a disinterested party.•Lotteries cannot be balanced by gender or at-risk status of the students.

Tuition cap•The tuition cap for fiscal year 2012 (FY12) is $4,000. •Families earning 25% or less of the State Median Income (SMI) cannot be charged tuition.

Sliding fee scale •Grantees that charge tuition must implement a sliding fee scale to ensure equity for all families.

BENEFITS

• More time on learning• Full-day students score better on assessments• Better ability for early intervention across the

board, but particularly with reading• Increased Stamina in first grade as well as

better indoctrination into school routines and school community

• More depth in all areas• More enrichment

BENEFITS (CONTINUED)

• Easier to plan for individual needs as teacher / student ration is cut in half

• Have a full-day to cover the same standards that we currently only have half-day to teach

• Stronger Social Skills• Stronger transitional skills• Increase in independence and maturity

MAIN CONCERNS

• Not all students will be able to enroll

• Disparity between Full-day and Half-day students

Already see disparities in skills in kindergarten and first grade based on individual development, pre-school experience (if attended), and/or private kindergarten

Allow stronger models / supports for all students by 1st grade

PROPOSAL

• Implement pilot full-day kindergarten program at Hedge and Cold Spring

• Hedge would be the priority school to begin, then if enrollment warrants Cold Spring would house the second class

• Tuition would be $4000 per year• Transportation would be provided by parents as

previously done • Continue to run half-day programs at both sites

SPECIALISTS, LUNCH AND RECESS

EXAMPLE OF COSTS IF WE WERE TO GO TO 2 FULL-DAY SESSIONS AND 2 HALF-DAY SESSIONS

KINDERGARTEN HOURS

HALF DAY KINDERGARTEN :MORNING 9:00 AM – 11:30 AMAFTERNOON 12:45 PM – 3:15 PM

FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN :9:00 AM – 3:15 PM

Sample Schedule for Half-Day Kindergarten (HDK)

8:45-9:15 Morning Routinearrival, free choice time, journal writing (as year progresses)

9:15-9:45 Circlecalendar, day tally, weather, message, news, poem, agenda, sight word review

9:45-11:00 Learning Centers (Teacher directed small/whole group instruction and independent learning activities)

• Core Skills and Activities from Everyday Math taught and integrated with science, social studies, and art

• Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as reading/writing, art, dramatic play, blocks

• Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving

• Work one on one with a teacher• Cooperate with a classmate

11:00-11:25 Thematic Story and Outdoor Time

11:25-11:30 DismissalWhole group/teacher directed instruction is provided.

8:55-9:15 Sample Full Day Schedule (FDK) Morning Routine - arrival, free choice time, journal writing (as year progresses)

9:15-9:45 Circle (LA and math integrated)calendar, day tally, weather, message, news, poem, agenda, sight word review

9:45-10:45 Learning Centers (Teacher directed small group instruction and independent learning activities)• Core Skills and Activities from Everyday Math taught and integrated with science, social studies, and art• Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as reading/writing, art,

dramatic play, blocks• Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving• Work one on one with a teacher• Cooperate with a classmate or work in a small group

10:45-11:00 Thematic Whole Group Story and Snack

11:00-11:20 Outdoor Time varies according to classroom schedule (may be before lunch or may be at end of day)

11:20-11:40 Shared Reading

11:40-12:20 SpecialLibrary, Music, PE

12:20-1:05 Lunch/Recess

12:50-1:00 Transition TimePut away belongings, Bathroom

1:00-1:20 Quiet TimeMusic, Relaxation, Books, Teacher Read Aloud

1:20-2:20 Learning Centers (Teacher directed small/whole group instruction and independent learning activities)• Reinforce math, language arts, science and social studies concepts • Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as reading/writing, art,

dramatic play, blocks• Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving• Work one on one with a teacher• Cooperate with a classmate or work in a small group

2:20-2:40 ReflectionVerbal sharing of day

Author’s Chair

3:00-3:10 Dismissal

PROPOSED TIMELINE (IF APPROVED)

• Applications out to parents as soon as possible

• Determination of final staffing• Lottery on May 26th • Begin implementation process depending

on enrollment

LOTTERY INFORMATION

• Expected class size will be @ 20-22 students per class.

• Twins/triplets will be entered as one lottery entry per family. Therefore, the first 40 children whose numbers are drawn will all have a secure FDK space provided that the $500 or 20% deposit is received no later than 3 p.m. on May 25, 2011.

• All FDK applications will be assigned a number before the lottery. After 40 children’s names are confirmed (through the lottery) the remainder of entrants will comprise our waiting list (in the order drawn).

• Lottery results will be posted by Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 4 PM.

NEXT STEPS DURING PILOT YEAR

• Survey parents / community• Survey teachers• Survey students• Assessment data (Dibels, Qualitative

feedback, report cards, benchmark data, etc)

• Analysis of all data and proposal for future years

PARENT QUESTIONS

Contact InformationHedge School telephone # 508-830-4340Cold Spring telephone # 508-830-4335

Plymouth Public Schools website: www.plymouth.k12.ma.us

Additional questions : Adam Blaisdell (Hedge School)

ablaisdell@plymouth.k12.ma.us

Laura Dolloff (Cold Spring) ldolloff@plymouth.k12.ma.us