LAKEWOOD TO OFFER FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

[Jim O'Bryan]

LAKEWOOD TO OFFER FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN
Success of 2-year pilot program leads to decision

LAKEWOOD, OH – The Lakewood Board of Education announced at its March 2 meeting that full-day kindergarten will be available tuition-free at all seven of the district elementary schools beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. A half-day morning-only session will remain available at all seven schools as well.

After studying the data from the two-year pilot project that saw full-day kindergarten available at two schools the first year and four schools the second, the district recognized the benefits associated with full-day instruction.

“Both the data collected and the opinions of involved teachers indicate that students are generally progressing more quickly in the extended day program,â€￾ said Jan Soeder, assistant superintendent for elementary education.

Early literacy scores from Harrison and Hayes elementaries, which were the original pilot sites in 2007-2008, showed first graders who came from extended day kindergarten classes scored better at the start of the school year than students in the traditional kindergarten program did at the end of the year.

Data on social skills and behavior coupled with anecdotal evidence from first grade teachers also showed that student readiness improved with the pilot project students.
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“Our first grade teachers have been able to hit the ground running in August,â€￾ said Sandy Kozelka, who has served as the district’s curriculum coach for the pilot program. Before the extended day program, the first few months of school were often spent re-acclimating students to the routines and behavioral expectations of the school day. “Now, they can begin teaching immediately,â€￾ Kozelka said.

Due to re-allocation of funds, the district is able to offer the full-day kindergarten without expanding the operating budget.

“It was important for us to find the funds for this program in order to improve academic performance,â€￾ said Superintendent Dr. David C. Estrop

In-person registration for the 2009-2010 kindergarten year will take place Thursday, March 19 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. at all Lakewood elementary schools. Parents should register their child at their neighborhood school on this day only. If someone is unable to register on March 19, he or she must register at the Board of Education, 1470 Warren Road between 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Children who will turn 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for registration.

Children enrolled in Lakewood City Schools’ pre-kindergarten program are already enrolled in the district and do not need to re-register. Any questions regarding registration should be directed to the appropriate neighborhood school.

[marklingm]

Jim,

Thanks for sharing this information! As you know, one of my campaign promises was to assist the Lakewood School Board consider whether to extend this program district-wide without tuition costs while maintaining a half-day option for interested parents. After having demonstrated academic and social advantages through the extended day kindergarten program and making certain budgetary reductions, the Lakewood School Board is now able to offer the extended day kindergarten program without expanding the operating budget.

And, thank you, Lakewood, for your ongoing support of our children.

Matt

[Suzie Dean]

I would love to make several comments about this topic...But as we all know, many people disagree with me, and I'm not in the mood for the rudeness of people.

So I will simply just say that I am very pleased to hear that they will still be offering half day kindergarten at all of the schools!!!

[Missy Limkemann]

Thank goodness for full day Kindergarten. When Patrick first started school in Cleveland, he had full day and I was very pleased with it. I can't wait to send Frankie to kindergarten this year for full day.

[David Anderson]

I am happy every Lakewood parent of a Kindergartener will have a choice between a 1/2 and full day program.

“Early literacy scores from Harrison and Hayes elementaries, which were the original pilot sites in 2007-2008, showed first graders who came from extended day kindergarten classes scored better at the start of the school year than students in the traditional kindergarten program did at the end of the year.â€￾

We would all agree that there are many reasons as to why early grade students succeed at different rates. This quote, however, suggests that some sort of longitudinal study was completed to help our district come to the conclusion that first graders, who were products of full day Kindergarten, were 180 school days ahead of other students in terms of literacy and exhibited better behavior and social skills as well.

I would love to see the study from which this conclusion was made. Is it available, Mr. Markling?

[marklingm]

When we voted to approve the extended day kindergarten at the board meeting of February 18, 2009, Dr. Estrop presented the Board with a recommendation that can be viewed by clicking here.

When Dr. Estrop announced the Board's decision at last night's board meeting, he presented a somewhat different recommendation that can be viewed by clicking here. The only difference appears to be the omission of "Kindergarten Half-Day Program in All Schools" data that was in the February 18, 2009 report.

We also received qualitative reports from teachers and administrators as well.

[Stan Austin]

Matt (and by extension all school board members)

I am single. I can see how full day kindergarten is very important. I benefited from it when I was a kid.

Keep these good programs coming. It is now more imperative than ever that we maintain and improve education of the community's kids at the public and non public venues.

I look forward to an enlightened and engaged discussion of this in the upcoming school board campaigns.

Stan Austin

[David Anderson]

Thanks for these reports, Mr. Markling.

I'm simply not able to attend the actual board meetings and am more than happy with your making these reports immediately available here on the deck for everyone to read and study, not just me.

I am sure folks in favor of and against all day Kindergarten will weigh in. However, in contrast to other debates/"discussions" here on the deck, before us now is the bulk of information, minus the qualitative teacher and administrator comments, used to make this decision.

Thanks again.

[marklingm]

Matt (and by extension all school board members)

I am single. I can see how full day kindergarten is very important. I benefited from it when I was a kid.

Keep these good programs coming. It is now more imperative than ever that we maintain and improve education of the community's kids at the public and non public venues.

I look forward to an enlightened and engaged discussion of this in the upcoming school board campaigns.

Stan Austin

Thanks, Stan.

Actually the bulk of the credit goes to School Board Members Ed Favre, Betsy Shaughnessy, and Linda Beebe, as well as Former School Board Member Deb Sweeney and the Administration, because they had the foresight to start to pilot program in the first place.

And, Ed Favre, Betsy Shaughnessy, and John Kamkutis serve the Lakewood City Schools well … so the upcoming school board campaigns should be interesting.

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

Actually the bulk of the credit goes to School Board Members Ed Favre, Betsy Shaughnessy, and Linda Beebe, as well as Former School Board Member Deb Sweeney and the Administration, because they had the foresight to start to pilot program in the first place.

And, Ed Favre, Betsy Shaughnessy, and John Kamkutis serve the Lakewood City Schools well … so the upcoming school board campaigns should be interesting.

Matt

Matt Markling

Thank you for including this report and the generous clarification of who all helped with this program.

I would second the kudos from David Anderson, it is refreshing to see board members come in and take the time to explain, the programs, the board meetings and what is going on.

PLEASE, encourage others on the board that use computers to do so as well.


.

[marklingm]