Glenview District 34 School District is one of only few school districts left in the Northshore area and Northwest suburbs that does not offer a Full Day Kindergarten program. With all of the changes to the school curriculum due to Common Core, our children are being required to do so much more starting in kindergarten and in such a short amount of time (2.5 hrs/day).

Our children deserve an opportunity to develop essential social and emotional skills in addition to the new Common Core standards in a comfortable, nurturing and stress-free environment. How is it possible for our children to gain access to these elements of the curriculum in a way that facilitates learning and development in 2.5 hours? How will our children keep up with the neighboring district children enrolled in Full Day Kindergarten who have a head start on the aforementioned skills?

Studies have demonstrated the following about full-day kindergartners:

1. They have a more seamless transition to first grade
2. They show significant gains in school socialization
3. They are equipped with stronger comprehensive learning skills
4. They show faster gains on literacy and language measures when compared to half-day kindergarten students
5. They have reduced retention and remediation rates.

and much much more.

Currently, many Glenview families put a great deal of effort into finding alternative ways to lengthen the school day, whether for purposes of childcare and/or enhanced learning. Unfortunately these enrichment programs require our children to be hastily plucked from their Kindergarten class after school and transitioned to multiple school environments and teachers.

If District 34 offered the OPTION of Full Day Kindergarten, it will allow children more essential structured time with their primary teacher without mid day disruption during this crucial year of child development.

If you agree, please sign the petition calling on Glenview District 34 to offer the OPTION of Full Day Kindergarten!