I honestly do remember being a kindergartner. Admittedly, much of what I remember about Miss Charlotte Gabrielson’s Concord Elementary class involved a blanket and a nap. Oh no—I know what you’re thinking. Yes, a blanket and a nap sound lovely right now. But back then it was the furthest thing from my mind. Oh, the torture of being told to lie still! A nap? That’s for babies!
I was on the half-day K plan—it was the only option available then. I’d head home around the noon hour, and spend the rest of the day with my mother, or play in the neighborhood, or get into mischief with my little brother.
Over the years as parenting needs have evolved, the way we approach kindergarten has evolved as well. Parents have been hoping, for the most part at least, for full day options; and in May of this year, our governor approved a plan to provide free all-day kindergarten beginning in the 2014–15 school year.
There are a lot of schools that currently offer all-day K in the state of Minnesota. Some charge parents for that option; some, like the Moorhead School Board, opted to sign off on spending 1.2 million to start all-day K this year, a full year before the state funding is in place. As reported in the Fargo Forum on August 31 (All-day kindergarten a big draw in Moorhead by Helmut Schmidt), it paid off remarkably well: there were 22 full-day K classrooms throughout the Moorhead districts. Assistant Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak was quoted as saying, “We’ve more than doubled our teaching staff at the kindergarten level.”
So what’s so great about all-day kindergarten? Well, we’re going to educate you on that very topic. Reporter Cali Owings spoke with a number of educators throughout the state, and how all-day K will affect your child.
If you are struggling with the best educational direction for your kids, please do stop by Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on Saturday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A number of school representatives from throughout the area will be there to provide you with information and advice. There will also be activities for your children, grab bags, and as always, the beauty of the surrounding area to make it a good day for families to enjoy time together. We hope to see you there. Questions? Go to mnparent.com/edfair for more info.
