FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PILOT PROPOSAL Plymouth Public Schools

FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN State has increased the requirements of what students must learn in Kindergarten We have at-risk reading scores in the district We want more time to focus on building social / emotional growth In 2005 – 2006, approximately 81% of school districts in Massachusetts had some full-day Kindergarten and our students are held to the same standards as those with that increased time

Currently there are 15 FTE Kindergarten Teachers To add Full Day Kindergarten, we must add : –15 FTE Kindergarten Teachers (approximately $750,000) –1.5 FTE Art Teacher (approximately $75,000) –1.5 FTE Music Teacher (approximately $75,000) –1.5 FTE PE Teacher (approximately $75,000) –1.0 FTE Library (approximately $50,000) –1.0 FTE Computer (approximately $50,000) –Supplies –15 classrooms –Start Up (Furniture, Manipulatives, Teacher Materials) –Benefits –Approximate Cost Annually : $1,075,000 FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR ALL IN PLYMOUTH

GUIDELINES FROM STATE REGARDING FULL-DAY TUITION FOR KINDERGARTEN Chapter 70 and SIMS data reporting Children for whom tuition is charged for the second half of the full-day kindergarten program cannot be counted as full-time (1 FTE) students for Chapter 70 reimbursement. Children on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Children on IEPs attend full-day kindergarten free of charge if their IEP specifies a full-day placement. If full-day kindergarten is not district-wide, space should be reserved for children with an IEP that specifies a full-day placement Lotteries If the demand for full-day kindergarten is greater than the space available, a lottery may be held. Lotteries must be equitable, conducted through a public process, and selections made by a disinterested party. Lotteries cannot be balanced by gender or at-risk status of the students. Tuition cap The tuition cap for fiscal year 2012 (FY12) is $4,000. Families earning 25% or less of the State Median Income (SMI) cannot be charged tuition. Sliding fee scale Grantees that charge tuition must implement a sliding fee scale to ensure equity for all families.

BENEFITS More time on learning Full-day students score better on assessments Better ability for early intervention across the board, but particularly with reading Increased Stamina in first grade as well as better indoctrination into school routines and school community More depth in all areas More enrichment

BENEFITS (CONTINUED) Easier to plan for individual needs as teacher / student ration is cut in half Have a full-day to cover the same standards that we currently only have half- day to teach Stronger Social Skills Stronger transitional skills Increase in independence and maturity

MAIN CONCERNS Not all students will be able to enroll Disparity between Full-day and Half-day students  Already see disparities in skills in kindergarten and first grade based on individual development, pre-school experience (if attended), and/or private kindergarten  Allow stronger models / supports for all students by 1 st grade

PROPOSAL Implement pilot full-day kindergarten program at Hedge and Cold Spring Hedge would be the priority school to begin, then if enrollment warrants Cold Spring would house the second class Tuition would be $4000 per year Transportation would be provided by parents as previously done Continue to run half-day programs at both sites

SPECIALISTS, LUNCH AND RECESS

EXAMPLE OF COSTS IF WE WERE TO GO TO 2 FULL-DAY SESSIONS AND 2 HALF-DAY SESSIONS

KINDERGARTEN HOURS HALF DAY KINDERGARTEN : MORNING 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM AFTERNOON 12:45 PM – 3:15 PM FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN : 9:00 AM – 3:15 PM

PROPOSED TIMELINE (IF APPROVED) Applications out to parents as soon as possible Determination of final staffing Lottery on May 26 th Begin implementation process depending on enrollment

LOTTERY INFORMATION Expected class size will students per class. Twins/triplets will be entered as one lottery entry per family. Therefore, the first 40 children whose numbers are drawn will all have a secure FDK space provided that the $500 or 20% deposit is received no later than 3 p.m. on May 25, All FDK applications will be assigned a number before the lottery. After 40 children’s names are confirmed (through the lottery) the remainder of entrants will comprise our waiting list (in the order drawn). Lottery results will be posted by Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 4 PM.

NEXT STEPS DURING PILOT YEAR Survey parents / community Survey teachers Survey students Assessment data (Dibels, Qualitative feedback, report cards, benchmark data, etc) Analysis of all data and proposal for future years

PARENT QUESTIONS Contact Information Hedge School telephone # Cold Spring telephone # Plymouth Public Schools website: Additional questions : Adam Blaisdell (Hedge School) Laura Dolloff (Cold Spring)