By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
In honor of School Board Appreciation Week, Old Mill Road music teacher Phyllis Frederick presented her third-graders to a standing-room-only crowd of parents as the children performed songs and demonstrated note reading in
preparation for learning the recorder.
About 70 people remained after the presentation to hear Marianne Greisofe, Old Mill Road School principal district Kindergarten Committee chairwoman, present the committee's findings after they recently looked into lengthening the kindergarten day by one period.
Several parents had spoken out during a recent board meeting, calling on the district to add the period to kindergartners' days to eliminate a 40-minute layover between the kindergarten dismissal and that for all other students in grades one through six.
Many parents said they have older children and are forced to wait at the school between the kindergarten and regular dismissals.
Greisofe said that, after looking into the matter, "The committee did not recommend any programmatic changes," such as lengthening the day.
Greisofe said the 2:15-2:50 p.m. time slot is when parents can meet "informally" with their children's kindergarten teachers to discuss concerns. She also said it is a time for "teachers to plan and collaborate," and it is used for weekly staff meetings.
School Board Trustees Jonathan Butler and Linda Fuller asked Greisofe whether teachers, in fact, meet with parents during this time.
"I think so," said Greisofe.
A parent asked how the time could be used for teachers to meet with parents if staff meetings were scheduled? Greisofe said the time wasn't used exclusively for parent meetings.
Parent Loretta Axelrod said, "I have never had a
problem meeting with a teacher at 2:50 dismissal," when her older child is let out of school.
Parents asked how other teachers have time to attend staff meetings with a dismissal time of 2:50 p.m. All teachers, including kindergarten instructors, must remain in school until 3 p.m.
Several Old Mill Road parents said that, if their children were allowed to use the playground after kindergarten dismissal, waiting 40 minutes between the two dismissals would be easier. In good weather, children at the Camp Avenue and Fayette schools can use the playgrounds during that time.
Parent Debbie Kavanah said that she wished kindergarten lunch "was a little longer."
Allison Costa agreed, saying, "Kindergartners could definitely use a longer lunch."
The two asked whether the board would look into lengthening the day via lunch, because, they said, many kindergartners haven't enough time to finish their meals.
Former lunch aide Pat Latona said she believes the time allotted for lunch is sufficient. Latona called lunch "the most social part" of the kindergarten day and insisted the students would have time to finish their meals if they weren't socializing as much.
North Merrick Superintendent David Feller said, "By 2:10-2:15, the youngsters are tired." Potentially, they could go on for another 40 minutes, but they grow increasingly weary toward day's end.
Several parents said they like the gap between dismissals. Kim Fortunato said, "I love the 2:10 pick up," adding that she enjoys that time with her child.
Parent Lyn Kavanagh said, "I take 40 minutes and read a book and talk to my youngster."
Axelrod responded, "I have a 2-year-old that isn't going to sit in her car seat while I read to my child."
Costa said that, once a parent parks for the kindergarten dismissal, "The bottom line is you're not going anywhere."
Costa said she believes it's unfair for kindergarten students to wait in the car for their siblings and sacrifice 40 minutes, because they could better use the time on a play date to gain social skills.
Axelrod asked if the issue could be put up for a public vote.
Board President Alyse Middendorf said she did not believe it could and asked parents to give the board time to discuss the Kindergarten Committee's findings.
Axelrod said, "I want full day. I don't want him [her child] sitting in a car waiting for a sibling to get out."
