By:MELISSA O'HARA
With her Dalmatian backpack nestled on her back and lunch box in hand, Jamie Winters will be just one of
the many five year olds to start the full-day kindergarten program this September at District 24's Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School and many other schools throughout Valley Stream.
"I am excited to start school. I still have to wait a long time. I don't start till September 5th, but I will be in the same school as my older brother," said Winters.
The idea of learning, doing homework and playing outside in Margaret Otton's class brought a smile to the little girl's face.
Still unsure of what she will be wearing the first day of school, her older sister, Nicole, said, "Her whole closet is filled with clothes and shoes. Finding something to wear will not be a problem."
"She is very independent. She wakes herself up in the morning, dresses herself and picks out her own shoes. This is all something that is very important for her to do by herself," said mom Diane.
One thing Jamie and her mom have done together is shopping for and deciding on those essential back-to-school supplies. She has already picked out her notebook where she will write her ABCs, her pencils, crayons and glue.
Even though Jamie is independent when it comes to getting ready for school, she will still need to be brought to the kindergarten doors by her mother and sometimes her brother, Tyler.
Jaime says she has some friends that will be going to school with her, "but they are not in my group. I am not worried about meeting new people. I am excited about that." She also likes the idea that she is going to be in the same school as her brother and not too far from her sister, who goes to South High School. "I like being the youngest child," said Jamie.
But mom has mixed emotions about seeing her youngest go off to school. "I am excited for her that it's the beginning of her childhood life, but I am also reluctant to loose my baby," Diane said. "She has been more than ready for quite awhile to start school and is really eager for September 5th."
District 24 anticipates 143 new kindergartners will walk through the doors of their three elementary schools next week. Students will have a full day of kindergarten, five days a week, from 8:20 to 2:50.
"Everyone in the district is very excited and enthusiastic about the implementation of the full-day kindergarten," said Superintendent of District 24 Schools Edward Fale. "We are thankful for the support the community gave us in our budget which is helping to implement the program. The full-day kindergarten is a vital part of the total instructional program."
With 193 new kindergartners entering District 30, Forest Road will have two classes, Clear stream will have three classes and Shaw Avenue will have four classes. District 30's kindergarten program is also full day and has been since the early1980s.
District 13 has 274 kindergartners as of Aug. 24. This is the third year of the district's full-day kindergarten program. The James A. Dever School has three classes, Willow has six classes and Howell Road has four classes.
