Pennridge
The Pennridge School Board’s curriculum committee Monday, Feb. 3 unveiled a proposal for a full-day kindergarten program at all district elementary schools.
The proposal would phase in the program over two years, with a lottery system to select students for the full-day program in the 2025-2026 school year followed by a universal full-day program in the 2026-2027 school year.
The program would follow a play-based approach aimed at bolstering social skills, fine motor skills, academic readiness and school stamina to facilitate the transition to first grade, said elementary principals Casi Plourde and Maria Pulli.
“The program would support students from a whole-child lens through a play-based approach. Not necessarily adding in more academics but taking the time to learn through play and focusing on fine motor development like tying shoes, zippering coats,” said Plourde.
“It’s not a new first grade,” added Pulli. “The intention is to provide an opportunity for students to build those social skills and the stamina to be a student.”
Currently, the district offers half-day a.m. and p.m. kindergarten programs in each elementary building. Targeted full-day programs are offered for students who require additional services but not necessarily in their home school, requiring many students to be bussed across the district.
The new full-day program would dissolve the targeted programs and absorb affected students into the regular academic population. Those students will maintain access to special services throughout the school day, said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Kathy Scheid.
Community support
During public comment, parents and educators unanimously backed the full-day program, citing increased learning time for students and convenience for working parents.
“My daughter is currently enrolled in full-time pre-school. She is 100% used to it. She is loving it,” said parent Kyra Randall. “If we stay with half day, I’ll have to look [elsewhere]. We’ve been looking at going to other school districts because the price of some of the private kindergarten programs is outside of our income bracket.”
“I know what it’s like to have to cut a kid’s excitement short because of time,” said educator and parent Nick Schmoyer. “To have more time for our kids to be able to explore the things they’re passionate about, interested in, would be a fantastic thing.”
“They will have more structured opportunities to learn those skills — cooperation, sharing, conflict resolution. It would also make for a smoother transition to first grade,” said educator and parent Nicole Solano, adding, “Half-day kindergarten is a logistical nightmare sometimes. Similar school times and busing both days would be a convenience for parents.”
Committee discussion
During the curriculum committee’s discussion, some board members questioned the level of community interest in full-day kindergarten and inquired about the ongoing availability of half-day kindergarten for interested parents.
In response, Plourde argued that universal full-day kindergarten would provide an “equal playing field” for students. She and Pulli added that the phased-in approach will enable the district to ascertain the level of community interest in the program.
“The phased-in approach gives us the time to think through the logistics and what our community wants and helps us make that transition with more information and data,” said Pulli. “The good thing is that we will have that data this year. What I’m guessing as a building principal is that the majority of families will want it.”
Superintendent Angelo Berrios echoed Pulli’s remarks, noting a strong parental interest in full-day kindergarten and the program’s ability to retain and attract students.
“We see a lot of value in full-day kindergarten,” said Berrios. “There will be growing pains like with any new initiative, but I’m very confident that we can adjust accordingly and provide value to our students and families.”
Regarding funding for full-day kindergarten, Assistant Superintendent of Administration Brad Palmer pointed to the expected savings from the 25 upcoming retirements at the end of the school year. He added that the phased-in approach will make the program more affordable.
“We will make this happen if you approve it,” said Palmer.
Registration for the program will be sent out shortly, said the board, with the option to select the lottery system for full-day kindergarten as well as half-day kindergarten.
The next Pennridge school board meeting is on February 24 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit pennridge.org
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