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| Full day kindergarten in Livonia? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 3 2012, 04:49 PM (2,971 Views) | |
| daytripper75 | Mar 3 2012, 04:49 PM Post #1 |
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https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=32196225 Apparently, most of the other nearby districts have gone to full day. LPS seems to be in no hurry to make a decision. |
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| Justasking | Mar 4 2012, 12:29 PM Post #2 |
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http://www.livoniapublicschools.org/news.cfm?story=2102 Here is their position. Seems like they are getting the "ducks in a row" first. |
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| Momof4 | Mar 4 2012, 03:02 PM Post #3 |
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A worry about this... A friend who works for the schools told me that she is not sure how long the "Young 5's" program will last when we go to all day kindergarten. So sad!!! Young 5's is SO important for those kids who just are not ready to go to kindergarten... especially a whole day kindergarten. |
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| daytripper75 | Mar 7 2012, 10:51 AM Post #4 |
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It sounds like it is a done deal that just needs to be voted on. The SOS and BOE cited 38 local districts that have committed to full day kindergartens and said that it seems inevitable. This will require LPS to hire 16.5 FTEs for next year at a cost of $1.5 million. The cost for not having full day kindergarten will be up near $3 million. |
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| Momof4 | Mar 7 2012, 11:26 AM Post #5 |
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Too bad! I'm not a fan of all day kindergarten. I think at that age the kids need a break. What I would like to see is extended hours in high school and less days off. Since returning from Christmas break, my high school students have had more partial weeks than 5 day weeks. |
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| Purple Haze | Mar 7 2012, 11:54 AM Post #6 |
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I heartily agree with your statements, Mom. The winter break (one day this year, two next year) is a joke if you want to escape the snow (when we do indeed have snow!). There is no way I would travel at Christmas with airlines and hotels taking advantage of the holiday to escalate their prices. By the time spring break comes around, Michigan weather is more favorable not to travel, at least far. However, we are at the beck and call of the teacher's union, are we not? |
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| injuneer | Mar 7 2012, 12:06 PM Post #7 |
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I agree too Mom. All these short weeks and breaks seem disruptive to my kids focus on their studies. It seems like it takes the teachers a day to review and catch up to where they left off once the kids come back. |
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| DADDYOH10 | Mar 11 2012, 08:24 PM Post #8 |
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Randy says "it is an unfunded mandate"?? That is LPS speak for we're not not going to do half of the job unless we get paid for doing the whole job. Where else do you get full allotment for half a job??? I guess so we may better fund the administration that comes up with these kinds of comments, again looking to your wallet (private or state) for the answers they cannot come up with. |
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| daytripper75 | Mar 12 2012, 11:09 AM Post #9 |
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I'd like to see them flip flop the elementary and high school school day hours. Teens would likely be better suited to school if it started later in the morning and I know for at least my kiddos, it doesn't matter what time they get up as long as I get them to sleep at a decent hour. I hate how the schools can't look at the funding and be glad that they've had so many years of a free ride on half day kindergarten. They have KNOWN this was coming at some point, why in the world didn't they prepare? The State has been putting this into bills for at least 3 years now, how can it be such a big surprise that they passed it into law? The BOE votes on this on the 19th. |
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| Momof4 | Mar 12 2012, 10:43 PM Post #10 |
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They have KNOWN this was coming at some point, why in the world didn't they prepare? Good question! I think they believed that a pink bubble was going to come down in the middle of their spending and Glenda the good witch was going to have them click their heels and say, "There is money in this place" three times and it would appear. As usual, terrible planning! I TOTALLY agree about flipping the elementary and high school hours. It would also cut down on the amount of teens home alone after school for hours looking for ways to get into trouble. I have a FES (foreign exchange student) right now...um, so I'm actually momof5 for a while... but in his country they go to school from 8 am to either 5 or 6, have one half day a week and go to school on Saturday from 8am-12 noon. |
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| Vanna White | Mar 12 2012, 11:14 PM Post #11 |
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I agree with the idea of switching the school hours so that the youngest kids have the earliest hours and the high school students start the latest. There are so many kids that are sleep-deprived and research continues to find links between sleep and so many chronic diseases processes...heart problems, diabetes, hypertension, obesity...all are connected to sleep. |
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| Mrs.M | Mar 20 2012, 01:44 PM Post #12 |
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I couldn't imagine the district ever switching the starting times. Too many parents depend on their middle or high schoolers to be home or avaialble to pick up the youngsters from elementary or premiddle school. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Mrs.M | Mar 20 2012, 01:50 PM Post #13 |
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Livonia school board approves full-day kindergarten for all students this fall 10:13 AM, Mar. 20, 2012 | http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120320/NEWS10/120320006/Livonia-school-board-approves-full-day-kindergarten-all-students-fall?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Livonia|p Written by Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer Filed Under News Livonia The Livonia school board voted 6-1 Monday to implement a full-day program for all kindergarten students next school year. Full-day kindergarten will cost the district an estimated $1.5 million. However, administrators said it would cost the district more than double that, $3.3 million, to retain half-day kindergarten. The state is expected to cut per-pupil funding in half for kindergartners attending half days starting in September. Currently, Michigan school districts get a full day of funding for each kindergartner. Trustee Colleen Burton voted against full-day kindergarten, saying Tuesday she couldn’t in good conscience vote for something she doesn’t believe is best for all children. She said some 5-year-olds are ready for a full day of school and some are not. She said her first choice would be to give parents the option of placing their children in full-day or half-day kindergarten, but “the state has made that financially impossible right now.” Administrators said retaining three classrooms of half-day kindergarten would cost an additional $500,000. Burton said the state should allow the question of full-day or half-day kindergarten to be a “local control issue.” Trustee Eileen McDonnell said she voted in favor of full-day kindergarten because of the costs to the district of retaining a half-day program. “It’s pretty apparent the state isn’t going to back off on this,” she said Tuesday. She said offering parents the option would put children in the half-day program at a disadvantage. “They’re not going to be able to keep up with the other students (when they get to first grade),” she said. “If you look at the state requirements, they’re going to need an all-day curriculum.” ~~~~~~~~~ So the districts must have been making out like bandits, getting 'paid' for full time students, when they were only half time. No wonder they didn't want to convert. Could you imagine working only 4 hours but getting paid for 8! I'm sure there are school systems (Montessori/Academies) that will offer a shorter day for these 4 and 5 year old youngsters. A couple of my children were still taking afternoon naps in kindergarten. It's sure going to make for a long day for these kiddies ~~~~~~~~~ http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120318/NEWS03/203180434/Parents-push-half-day-option?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Canton|s Parents push for half-day option 8:30 AM, Mar. 17, 2012 | Comments Written by Brad Kadrich Observer Staff Writer Filed Under News Canton Karin Young of Plymouth doesn't believe every child is ready for all-day kindergarten. And she's found dozens of parents who agree with her. That's why Young, the mother of twins, presented the Plymouth-Canton Board of Education with a petition signed by more than 80 people who think the district's decision to switch to an all-day kindergarten format — without a half-day option — is the wrong way to go. “Many parents want to be offered half-day kindergarten,” Young said. “Certainly, (the petition) should give (the board) a strong indication that all-day kindergarten is not the answer for all parents.” District officials plan to move to all-day kindergarten at all 16 elementary schools, beginning with the 2012-13 school year, because the state plans to cut funding for half-day kindergarten students in half. But Young, and the others who signed the petition, believe many parents don't want the all-day option. An attorney by trade, Young said she'd made arrangements to be home more for her children as they transitioned into kindergarten. The decision to move to the all-day option takes away time Young thought she'd have with her kids. “I have made a sacrifice, and I sort of feel like it's all for naught now,” Young said. “I'm losing a year I had planned on spending with the kids.” Young and the others who signed her petition said they believe some kindergarten-age children are “just not ready” for five full days of school and that half-day kindergarten is “a good transition for these students.” While there is no stated plan to offer a half-day option to every parent, district administrators may have at least a partial solution. Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes said Thursday administrators are considering a plan — to be recommended to the board — to use one of the elementary schools to be closed under the district's right-sizing plan for a “Young Fives” program. The program would cater to students who are old enough to begin kindergarten, but whose parents don't believe they're ready. The district would offer four sections (of 20-25 seats each) of Young Fives, but don't believe they'd fill all of those openings. They could fill open seats with half-day kindergarten students. “It's an idea being considered,” said Hughes, who stressed such a plan would need Board of Education approval. “We're probably not going to offer (half-day kindergarten). We'd be losing money, because of the state funding.” While saying they understand state funding is a concern for the district, they also think there's a bigger picture. “We're already rushing our children,” said Jennifer D'Angelo, a Bird Elementary School parent from Plymouth. “Once they grow up, they're grown up.” bkadrich@hometownlife.com (313) 222-8899 |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| LPSisPoor | Mar 21 2012, 11:33 AM Post #14 |
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Young 5's is an awesome program. I put two children through Young 5's successfully and they are in middle school now carrying all A's and B's. One child needed Young 5's based on immaturity and the other did it just because I saw what a great program it was. You can never go back and recoup the year, so take advantage of it while you can. Parents should not only look at are they ready for K but rather how mature will the student be when they start division in 4th grade, algebra in 7th grade, a second language, world history, etc. How about the maturity to handle final exams? Wouldn't one year make a huge difference in how they cope with the stress of final exams? Driving? Athletic try-outs? Locker room nastiness? The drama club? Who always gets in ... the kid that is mature enough to handle it. Think beyond are they ready for Kindergarten. Do you remember the infant milestones? Did your child hit every milestone at the suggested date or was it closer to the "next" milestone. It's the same with K, just because it's suggested they start at 5 doesn't mean that starting at 6 is bad. My kids are proud to be the oldest in their class instead of the youngest. |
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| daytripper75 | Mar 21 2012, 12:47 PM Post #15 |
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I agree that Young 5's are wonderful, but I am finding myself irritated at how many people are promoting them as the solution to all day Kindergarten. Young 5's is only for YOUNG 5's. I've had two "old" 5's. This program does them no good. Some older 5's just aren't ready for all day Kindergarten. |
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| DADDYOH10 | Mar 21 2012, 03:27 PM Post #16 |
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Sure seems to be a awful lot of "hooey", once again ...it is much like a shell game with the administration and the board, hiding the nut, then very much like the street vendor, shuffles them around and you get to guess and lose! Good Luck! My children are nearly done with this district (graduation) and I am quite glad about this prosect, before things get any worse. |
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| Mrs.M | Mar 21 2012, 09:04 PM Post #17 |
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Enroll now for kindergarten in Northville 5:46 AM, Mar. 14, 2012 | Comments News Northville Elementary Schools Amerman (248) 344-8405 Moraine (248) 344-8473 Ridge Wood (248) 349-7602 Silver Springs (248) 344-8410 Thornton Creek (248) 344-8475 Winchester (248) 344-8415 Northville Public Schools is now accepting kindergarten enrollment for fall 2012. If you have a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2012, please contact your local elementary school for kindergarten enrollment information. Please note that attendance boundary information is located on the school district website at www.northville.k12.mi.us/district/boundary-maps.asp. If you have further questions, please contact the Northville Public Schools Office of Instruction at (248) 344-8442 or visit our website at www.northville.k12.mi.us. A parent meeting for incoming 2012-13 kindergartners will take place at each school. (See schedule below). Starting this fall, Northville Public Schools will offer a full-day kindergarten program at all elementary schools, as well as continue to offer a half-day program at selected schools. Teachers across the district designed a full-day model that meets the needs of kindergarten students in the full-day setting. The full-day program is not a doubling of the curriculum, but allows teachers the extra time to developmentally reinforce and deepen understanding of the curriculum for early learners.The half-day option will be available in schools where a minimum enrollment number is met. Information for both programs, along with mock class schedules reflecting a typical week for each program, will be shared at parent orientation. School Parent Date Round-Up Amerman 7 p.m. May 1 May 4 Moraine 6:30 p.m. May 7 May 11 Silver Springs 6 p.m. April 25 May 3 Thornton Creek 6 p.m. May 7 May 10 Ridge Wood 6 p.m. May 3 May 10 Winchester 6 p.m. May 1 May 2 Kindergarten enrollment forms may be picked up during parent orientation night or directly at each building. All parents are asked to register their child between now and May 18. During the registration process, parents will be asked to commit to either the half-day or the full-day program. If a half-day program is not offered at the school their child should attend, parents will have two choices; stay at their home school and enroll in the full-day program or request consideration to open enroll at another school in the district which met the minimum threshold to offer a half-time option. A decision regarding which elementary schools have sufficient interest to offer a half-day program will be finalized and communicated to parents in late-May or early-June. Early Childhood Education and Extended Day Programs - Kids' Club The Northville Public Schools Early Childhood Education and Extended Day Programs offers a program called Kids' Club. This program allows parents the option to have their child participate in a before and after school childcare program. Kids' Club is offered as an option from as early as 7 a.m. to the start of school and from school dismissal until as late as 6 p.m. Program Request Forms are available on the district website at www.northville.k12.mi.us/earlychildhood beginning March 9. The enrollment period is March 9-22. Please contact the Early Childhood Education office at (248) 344-8465 if you have any questions. Specific offerings are dependent on enrollment; space is limited. A Curriculum Night for Early Childhood Education is scheduled for Thursday, March 8 at the Northville Senior Community Center. Please call the Early Childhood Education office at (248) 344-8465 to register http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120315/NEWS12/203150359/Enroll-now-kindergarten-Northville?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Northville|s |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Momof4 | Mar 21 2012, 09:15 PM Post #18 |
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| Momof4 | Mar 24 2012, 11:56 AM Post #19 |
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What I said and it didn't come up is that I my initial point with bringing up Y5 in this thread is that I was told by someone in the school district that all day kindergarten might harm the future of Y5. I agree that some kids are not ready for kindergarten even if they don't fit the Y5 model. Although I have heard of kids born in March attending Y5. I am opposed to all day kindergarten in general for all kids. I think that they need time to be young. With that said... I think the middle school and high school hours should be extended and not have so many days off. So far, since going back to school after Christmas break, my high schoolers have only had full weeks for 1/2 the time. I have lost track of the amount of days off or half days. This is not conducive to learning and completing in the global market. Just my opinion. |
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| Livnlivonia | Mar 24 2012, 02:46 PM Post #20 |
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Actually, most research would call for fewer hours in the day and longer school years. For example, Finnish schools spend almost 10 hours fewer in the classroom per week than students in the U.S.; however, with a long summer break, American students tend to forget information. As a result, American teachers are forced to spend a lot of time reviewing. Note: I am aware that comparing Finland to the United States is certainly not apples to apples, but many other countries follow this model as well. |
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