Please reinstate Kindergarten half days (for half of the class) on the first two days of the school year to help facilitate a positive transition for children and their families.
Please reinstate Kindergarten half days (for half of the class) on the first two days of the school year to help facilitate a positive transition for children and their families.
The Issue
In Brookline Public Schools, prior to the proposed change for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year, half of incoming Kindergartners attended a half-day from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon for their first day and the other half of the class did the same the following day. Only on the third day would the whole class be there for a full day.
Inexplicably, and against the strong recommendations of all Brookline Early Childhood Educators, the schedule has been changed for the upcoming school year to full days on the first days.
We oppose this change and believe it risks the well-being of the incoming Kindergartners and disregards the recommendations of early learning experts.
Our five year-olds deserve a successful start to the year. The first day of school brings many challenges to the incoming students and teachers, including:
· Many children are in tears and have trouble separating from parents and may others struggle with adjustment and behavioral issues. Children are nervous about making friends and being in an unfamiliar setting.
· The “big kids”, who are so familiar with the school that their energy and noise fill the hallways, can be frightening for little ones.
· English language learners and children with special needs will be doubly challenged by the events of the day.
· Children will have to leave the classroom on their first day for Specials and lunch which is not advised. Many parents have important things to discuss with teachers including allergies, emotional needs, medical concerns, special needs and more and these concerns may not be able to be relayed to specialists and cafeteria staff.
Developmentally, our Kindergartners need a relaxed, orientation-like first day. They deserve a solid beginning to the next 13 years of their schooling. The first day of Kindergarten is a huge milestone in the lives of children and parents. Please reinstate a four-hour day for half of the class on the first two days of school. We look forward to working with you in order to make the start of school a success for our little ones this year, and in the future.
The Issue
In Brookline Public Schools, prior to the proposed change for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year, half of incoming Kindergartners attended a half-day from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon for their first day and the other half of the class did the same the following day. Only on the third day would the whole class be there for a full day.
Inexplicably, and against the strong recommendations of all Brookline Early Childhood Educators, the schedule has been changed for the upcoming school year to full days on the first days.
We oppose this change and believe it risks the well-being of the incoming Kindergartners and disregards the recommendations of early learning experts.
Our five year-olds deserve a successful start to the year. The first day of school brings many challenges to the incoming students and teachers, including:
· Many children are in tears and have trouble separating from parents and may others struggle with adjustment and behavioral issues. Children are nervous about making friends and being in an unfamiliar setting.
· The “big kids”, who are so familiar with the school that their energy and noise fill the hallways, can be frightening for little ones.
· English language learners and children with special needs will be doubly challenged by the events of the day.
· Children will have to leave the classroom on their first day for Specials and lunch which is not advised. Many parents have important things to discuss with teachers including allergies, emotional needs, medical concerns, special needs and more and these concerns may not be able to be relayed to specialists and cafeteria staff.
Developmentally, our Kindergartners need a relaxed, orientation-like first day. They deserve a solid beginning to the next 13 years of their schooling. The first day of Kindergarten is a huge milestone in the lives of children and parents. Please reinstate a four-hour day for half of the class on the first two days of school. We look forward to working with you in order to make the start of school a success for our little ones this year, and in the future.
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Petition created on May 23, 2014