By Tom Jordan
Cost, space and transportation still at issue
The Rockville Centre Board of Education measured the two options available to it for broadening the district's kindergarten program and concluded during the Nov. 14 public hearing that an extended-day format falls short of a full-day plan.
Having visited other school districts to study both programs, Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Johnson and Assistant Superintendent Delia Garrity said they found significantly greater growth and development of children where full-day instruction existed, and a trend away from the sometimes unwieldy extended-day programs.
Twenty-six of Nassau County's 53 school districts will offer full-day programs next fall, up from 18 in 1994. Seven districts will offer extended-day kindergarten, down from 13 six years ago.
Alhough several parents spoke in favor of an extended-day program, board member Keith Gaskell is not convinced it is the proper route for Rockville Centre.
"I understand the concern," he said. "Many parents are generally concerned that their children can't stand the rigors of a full school day. But my opinion initially is, if you're going to do it, do it all the way and make it the most beneficial program possible."
Different extended-day formats are being used throughout the county, and one that was discussed involved 20 percent of students staying in school for a full day once a week.
The analysis was the latest in a five-point look at lengthening the kindergarten day for the 2001 school year.
Although board members believe the current, half-day kindergarten program is serving Rockville Centre students well, they acknowledge there may be room for improvement.
In October, the board examined state requirements for kindergarten, which include specific instruction in English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Ms. Garrity said that while a "great deal" of the material was being covered in kindergarten, a portion was being made up in first grade. The board then began looking at the potential academic, social and behavioral ramifications of implementing an extended-day or full-day plan.
Among the positive academic effects of a longer kindergarten day, the board concluded, would be a wider variety of learning experiences, more individualized attention from teachers and more time for enrichment activities in art, music and physical education.
Extending the kindergarten day would alleviate much of the pressure put upon teachers to integrate curriculum, Ms. Garrity said. It also provides a more relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, allowing more time for social and behavioral instruction, which is at the core of any kindergarten program, she said. The overall result is a more fulfilling experience.
The school board is examining ways around several obstacles to instituting either an extended- or full-day program, including space and cost. In September, the board took its first step toward possibly broadening the program, by addressing the use of space in the district's five elementary schools. The plan would would necessitate the reallocation of classes and programs at each school, but only Hewitt would require extensive work, according to the board. There are 19 rooms being used for instruction at Hewitt, and 24 would be needed to also accommodate an anticipated four sections of all-day kindergarten classes. Partitioning rooms is being discussed.
Still pending are discussions regarding staffing, transportation and cost implications, scheduled for December and January.
