By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
Last week, Middendorf and the North Merrick School Board unanimously passed a motion to form a committe to explore alternatives to the kindergarteners' current dismissal time, which is one period earlier than that for all other students in grades one through six. Possibly, the kindergartners might take part in a reading or story hour during the 40-minute gap.
Last week's board meeting once again brought out people who are sharply divided over the issue, with some saying the current kindergarten dismissal time is fine and others disagreeing vehemently. Those opposed to the dismissal time that is now used say they and their kindergarten children are forced to wait around the school in their cars until their older children are let out.
Proponents of the current dismissal called the 40-minute layover "a minor incovenience."
That prompted parent Linda Steil to reply, "Minor inconvenience? It's more like a nightmare. For a child, that [40 minutes] is like forever."
Once again, Middendorf called for calm. "Great minds often differ," she said. "Let's see if we can come to some meeting of the minds."
Both sides did agree that North Merrick's kindergarten program is outstanding.
The committee, Middendorf said, should include parents, teachers,
administrators and school-board members and should brainstorm how to best use the time between the two dismissals.
Any program that is devised would be optional for the kindergartners.
Middendorf believes that community involvement would be key to making it work. Senior-citizen volunteers or high-school students, for example, could read to the children during a story hour.
Several parents at the meeting immediately volunteered for the committee.
