Post by momto4 on Mar 6, 2008 12:20:28 GMT -5
In the midst of everything else, I didn't notice this posted on the district website 3/5. I am grateful all mine are done with K now.
ipsdweb.ipsd.org/News.aspx?id=16719
All-Day Kindergarten FAQ (Updated 3/5/08)
Reported by 204-info@ipsd.org on 3/5/08
New Documents, posted March 5, 2008:
* Kindergarten Information Book [5MB pdf]
* Kindergarten Information Book (Spanish) [4MB pdf]
How will the district find space for all-day kindergarten?
Every elementary principal has identified appropriate space for all-day kindergarten. Space for the program will be accommodated by utilizing buildings more efficiently and appropriately without negatively impacting our students' experience. The majority of the classrooms will come from moving reading intervention programs from regular classrooms to offices or partial classroom spaces. These smaller spaces are more appropriate given that most of a reading interventionist's work is performed in small groups of 3-4 students.
Will the art and music programs no longer have separate classrooms to make space for all-day kindergarten?
In rare cases, and as a last resort, either art or music instruction will move from a dedicated classroom to the stage or in a student classroom. We anticipate this to occur in only a few of our 21 schools and are confident that the students will continue to have a quality art and music experience.
How much will this cost taxpayers?
The program will actually create an additional revenue stream for the district. Funding for the program will come from state revenue, with start-up costs recovered within 3 years. The district anticipates receiving annually an additional $2 million in state funds above the cost of the program.
What will happen to class sizes?
The district is planning to hire additional teachers to provide an estimated district-wide pupil-to-teacher ratio range of 22 - 25 to 1. In approving this program, the board of education has stipulated that the program is conditional based on space and finances. In addition, the current teachers' contract restricts class size to 28 students in kindergarten through second grade and 30 students in third through fifth grade. Class sizes can't exceed these numbers.
How can I register my incoming kindergartner?
The district will provide pre-registration information to parents in February. At that time, parents will have the opportunity to enroll in either the current half-day program or the all-day program.
If I select half-day kindergarten, will my child attend the elementary school in my neighborhood?
The logistics of the half-day program will be driven by the number of students enrolled in half-day at each school. If there is enough interest at a neighborhood school to support a minimum class size, the half-day program will be offered at that school. If there are not enough students to support a half-day class at a neighborhood school, parents will have the option to enroll their student in the all-day program in their school or have their kindergartner attend a half-day program at another school.
When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?
Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the district and have reached the age of five on or before September 1, 2008.
Won’t kindergarten children be too tired to last the day? Will their school day include a nap?
Required nap time will not be part of all-day kindergarten; however, kindergarten teachers are well prepared to accommodate students’ need for “quiet time.” For example, a story time may be used to allow students to rest before continuing with another activity. All day kindergarten will include developmentally appropriate activities to include time for play/social skills and unstructured learning opportunities. Choice time will be provided including art activities, drama/housekeeping, computers, listening centers, and math manipulatives, blocks, science exploration, writing and reading centers.
What are the hours for half-day and full-day kindergarten?
All-day kindergarten hours will be the same as for grades 1-5; 9:05 AM - 3:35 PM. Half day kindergarten sessions, depending upon AM or PM placement, will be 9:05 AM - 11:50 AM or 12:50 PM - 3:35 PM.
What curriculum will all day kindergarten students receive that half day kindergarten students will not?
Curriculum and lesson objectives will be the same. All-day kindergarten will provide increased time for in-depth learning and for differentiated instruction; to better meet the many and varied needs of students who require extension, enrichment, review, and small group and individualized instruction.
Once my child is in first grade will there be different expectations/assessments for children attending all-day and half-day kindergarten?
First-grade curriculum and objectives will be the same for students from both full and half day kindergarten. Early assessment will inform appropriately differentiated instruction for each child at the beginning and throughout the school year. The skill of differentiated instruction is one that first-grade teachers currently practice and are prepared to continue.
Won’t curriculum in the upper grades need to change as next year’s all-day kindergarten students move to the next grade levels?
District 204’s instructional services department will continue to monitor students’ curricular needs and to provide appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment supports and materials.
When will I need to decide if I want to enroll my child in all-day or half-day kindergarten?
Pre-registration forms will be available through your home school and on the district's (www.ipsd.org) and schools' websites later this month. You will be asked to indicate your preliminary choice of all-day or half -day kindergarten on that form. In March you will attend a Kindergarten Parent Preview Night in your home school. Your principal will provide a detailed look at what the half-day and all-day kindergarten experience will offer. After that meeting you will be able to inform your principal if you wish to change your choice. Parents will be encouraged to return registration materials as soon as possible for planning purposes. The deadline is July 31, 2008 after which changes in placement cannot be accommodated.
When is Kindergarten Parent Preview Night?
A schedule for each school's Kindergarten Parent Preview Night is online at www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_17432_3.pdf
When will I be told if my home school will host a half-day kindergarten class?
Pre-registration and registration materials will be used to anticipate the need for half-day kindergarten classes, but final decisions, including location, will not be made until after the registration deadline of July 31, 2008.
Will transportation be provided if my child attends a half-day kindergarten class not in our home school?
Yes.
How will all-day kindergarten students have lunch and recess?
Each building principal will develop a schedule and routine tailored to best fit individual building factors.
ipsdweb.ipsd.org/News.aspx?id=16719
All-Day Kindergarten FAQ (Updated 3/5/08)
Reported by 204-info@ipsd.org on 3/5/08
New Documents, posted March 5, 2008:
* Kindergarten Information Book [5MB pdf]
* Kindergarten Information Book (Spanish) [4MB pdf]
How will the district find space for all-day kindergarten?
Every elementary principal has identified appropriate space for all-day kindergarten. Space for the program will be accommodated by utilizing buildings more efficiently and appropriately without negatively impacting our students' experience. The majority of the classrooms will come from moving reading intervention programs from regular classrooms to offices or partial classroom spaces. These smaller spaces are more appropriate given that most of a reading interventionist's work is performed in small groups of 3-4 students.
Will the art and music programs no longer have separate classrooms to make space for all-day kindergarten?
In rare cases, and as a last resort, either art or music instruction will move from a dedicated classroom to the stage or in a student classroom. We anticipate this to occur in only a few of our 21 schools and are confident that the students will continue to have a quality art and music experience.
How much will this cost taxpayers?
The program will actually create an additional revenue stream for the district. Funding for the program will come from state revenue, with start-up costs recovered within 3 years. The district anticipates receiving annually an additional $2 million in state funds above the cost of the program.
What will happen to class sizes?
The district is planning to hire additional teachers to provide an estimated district-wide pupil-to-teacher ratio range of 22 - 25 to 1. In approving this program, the board of education has stipulated that the program is conditional based on space and finances. In addition, the current teachers' contract restricts class size to 28 students in kindergarten through second grade and 30 students in third through fifth grade. Class sizes can't exceed these numbers.
How can I register my incoming kindergartner?
The district will provide pre-registration information to parents in February. At that time, parents will have the opportunity to enroll in either the current half-day program or the all-day program.
If I select half-day kindergarten, will my child attend the elementary school in my neighborhood?
The logistics of the half-day program will be driven by the number of students enrolled in half-day at each school. If there is enough interest at a neighborhood school to support a minimum class size, the half-day program will be offered at that school. If there are not enough students to support a half-day class at a neighborhood school, parents will have the option to enroll their student in the all-day program in their school or have their kindergartner attend a half-day program at another school.
When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?
Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the district and have reached the age of five on or before September 1, 2008.
Won’t kindergarten children be too tired to last the day? Will their school day include a nap?
Required nap time will not be part of all-day kindergarten; however, kindergarten teachers are well prepared to accommodate students’ need for “quiet time.” For example, a story time may be used to allow students to rest before continuing with another activity. All day kindergarten will include developmentally appropriate activities to include time for play/social skills and unstructured learning opportunities. Choice time will be provided including art activities, drama/housekeeping, computers, listening centers, and math manipulatives, blocks, science exploration, writing and reading centers.
What are the hours for half-day and full-day kindergarten?
All-day kindergarten hours will be the same as for grades 1-5; 9:05 AM - 3:35 PM. Half day kindergarten sessions, depending upon AM or PM placement, will be 9:05 AM - 11:50 AM or 12:50 PM - 3:35 PM.
What curriculum will all day kindergarten students receive that half day kindergarten students will not?
Curriculum and lesson objectives will be the same. All-day kindergarten will provide increased time for in-depth learning and for differentiated instruction; to better meet the many and varied needs of students who require extension, enrichment, review, and small group and individualized instruction.
Once my child is in first grade will there be different expectations/assessments for children attending all-day and half-day kindergarten?
First-grade curriculum and objectives will be the same for students from both full and half day kindergarten. Early assessment will inform appropriately differentiated instruction for each child at the beginning and throughout the school year. The skill of differentiated instruction is one that first-grade teachers currently practice and are prepared to continue.
Won’t curriculum in the upper grades need to change as next year’s all-day kindergarten students move to the next grade levels?
District 204’s instructional services department will continue to monitor students’ curricular needs and to provide appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment supports and materials.
When will I need to decide if I want to enroll my child in all-day or half-day kindergarten?
Pre-registration forms will be available through your home school and on the district's (www.ipsd.org) and schools' websites later this month. You will be asked to indicate your preliminary choice of all-day or half -day kindergarten on that form. In March you will attend a Kindergarten Parent Preview Night in your home school. Your principal will provide a detailed look at what the half-day and all-day kindergarten experience will offer. After that meeting you will be able to inform your principal if you wish to change your choice. Parents will be encouraged to return registration materials as soon as possible for planning purposes. The deadline is July 31, 2008 after which changes in placement cannot be accommodated.
When is Kindergarten Parent Preview Night?
A schedule for each school's Kindergarten Parent Preview Night is online at www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_17432_3.pdf
When will I be told if my home school will host a half-day kindergarten class?
Pre-registration and registration materials will be used to anticipate the need for half-day kindergarten classes, but final decisions, including location, will not be made until after the registration deadline of July 31, 2008.
Will transportation be provided if my child attends a half-day kindergarten class not in our home school?
Yes.
How will all-day kindergarten students have lunch and recess?
Each building principal will develop a schedule and routine tailored to best fit individual building factors.