Parkway Prepared For First Tuition-Free, Full-Day Kindergarten

The first day of the  is Aug. 16, and 2011-12 provides new start times, longer elementary school days and tuition-free, full-day kindergarten.

(Check your school's start time here.)

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The target for kindergarten enrollment was expected to be 1,100. As of Tuesday evening, district officials told Town and Country-Manchester Patch that, so far, 80 more kindergartners enrolled than the district projected. Only four families in the district opted for partial-day kindergarten.

Last year, there were 28 full-day and 40 half-day kindergarten classes within the district's 18 elementary schools. The Parkway School District reports 69 full-day kindergarten classrooms for the coming school year, but said that number will likely increase. 

"The Parkway School District has hired more teachers to accommodate all of the students," district spokesperson Paul Tandy said. Tandy explained the challenge is the last minute enrollees that may push the student to teacher ratio of 17 to 1, over the limit and cause a last minute hire. But as of now, the district has made the transition smoothly.

Teachers and administrators have worked diligently over the summer, including a three-day summer institute. The district worked on the kindergarten schedule to include developmental play time, reading, writing and math. 

"One of the biggest pieces we are looking at is: What does it mean for the parkway district across the board? What is the best schedule for kindergartners across the board during a day?" Principal Mike Schmerold said. "And what are the developmentally appropriate practices? How do you create a kindergarten room for the best learning?"

"It's a whole new look in their classrooms. It's a whole new way to organize the classroom for learning," said Principal Kathy Caine. "There is no teacher desk in there, it's very student friendly."

Previously, the  offered full-day kindergarten for $3,520. It now offers full day to all kindergartners at no charge. 

"I've received a couple messages from parents. First off, a lot of thanks because we're giving them them a lot of opportunity to grow in our schools. Second, the people who couldn't afford it before are happy to enjoy the benefits of full-day kindergarten for their children," Schmerold said.

However, he also said some parents expressed concern over the longer day, particularly about not spending the afternoons with their children. 

"We've had some parents wondering if their children will make it through the full day. But once we talk about it, that changes, then they're more comfortable with it. Some of that is a little bit of an adjustment, but certainly the benefits are great to have a full day," Schmerold said.

"They just keep enrolling. A lot of parents wanted their children in full day. I really do think it was time," Caine said.

The change comes after much research and input from Parkway parents, teachers and administrators, plus recommendations from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This year, district also added 20 minutes to the elementary school day, which means all schools would have equal instructional time of six hours and 55 minutes, roughly an additional 10 days of instruction over the school year.

Pierremont's new hours are 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Mason Ridge now holds class from 8:55 a.m.-3:50 p.m. 

"More time with students, more learning," Schmerold said. He said the extra 20 minutes and the full-day kindergarten will only benefit students. "Really, it is allowing us to meet individual needs, to give us ample time to differentiate and develop learning centers and also to really develop their writing process."

In addition to education, Caine said special preparations have been made for more kindergartners on school buses.

"Having so many "full-dayers" at one time, we've really worked hard on the bus safety side of it, as far as the bus ride and making sure they're all at the right stop. They'll all wear arm bands with their info on them, so no one gets lost," Caine said. "Plus, we always do a kindergarten boot camp with parents."

"We're just excited to begin the new year. We've done a lot of planning and prep work for learning and development throughout the summer, and we'll continue to learn and grow together throughout the school year," Schermold said.

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