SWANSEA PUBLIC SCHOOL

DEPARTMENT

Full Day Kindergarten

Beginning with school year 2011-2012, the Swansea Public Schools will join many other districts in offering a full day kindergarten program

80 % of the 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth now offer full day kindergarten

Time On Learning Half Day Program

2 .5 hours / day x 180 days = 450 hours/ year

Full Day Program

6.5 hours/day x 180 days = 1170 hours/year

720 hours more per year taking part in a school based activity

Expectations

Academic Social/ Emotional Behavioral Developmental

Academic New Massachusetts Standards, adopted

from the ‘Common Core’ standards, demand a higher level of cognition

Standards have been brought down a grade level anywhere from six months to one year

Problem solving, higher order thinking, and abstract reasoning skills have also been increased

More time for cooperative learning and technology

Social/ Emotional

Students will have more time to interact with peers

Students will have more time to learn and practice character education skills that will help them with social interactions

Emotional issues such as missing family, being away for the day, wanting to stay with parents, and the need to play all day, will be worked out before grade 1

Behavioral

Students will learn what it means to be a participant in a school environment

Students will learn the parameters of acceptable behavior and positive outcomes

Students will learn how to interact with teachers and follow agreed upon rules

All before grade 1

Developmental All Students develop at their own pace A full day of kindergarten will allow for the

school to identify strengths and weaknesses of the students. Once these traits are identified teachers will individualize instructions for the students

Struggling students will get more remediation help and supportive services that they require to become successful

Consolidated resources (Referral Process)

A Typical Day In Kindergarten

Kindergarten schedules will follow the grade 1 and 2 model

All students will receive daily instruction in literacy, math, writing

Each day students will receive specialized instruction in Art, Music, P.E./Health, Technology

Students will be afforded time to build social skills through lunch, recess, and center time

Literacy and Math Curriculum Houghton Mifflin; Journeys

Journeys is the newest edition of the literacy program aligned with the new Massachusetts Frameworks

Houghton Mifflin; Math Expressions

Family/ Parental Benefits

Less stress and difficulty to family in scheduling transportation and child care

Eliminates child transitions to different locations

More opportunity for parental involvement in the classroom and the school

Financial savings (day care and private kindergarten, etc.)