I am petitioning to make the daily Kindergarten hours a minimum of 3 hours each day, instead of the 2 hrs. 15 mins. currently scheduled.  This would be 4 days/week as ECSD observes Thursday as a regular scheduled day off for students.

Things to consider:

• Our students are not being readily prepared for full day school in Grade 1.
• Our teachers are being forced to transition into this daily schedule ONLY because they are currently housed in a neighbouring school, due to overcrowding.  The hours of daily Kindergarten in their home school is 3 hours.
• How can anyone manage, in 2 hrs. 15 mins.: Getting outdoor clothing off, inside shoes on, shuffling to the classroom, settling down (20+ kids), teaching the standard curriculum, teaching French Immersion, random unscheduled potty breaks, snack time, play time or adequate exercise (gym/recess).
• Why are we demanding this of our Teachers?
• Why are our 4/5/6 year olds being forced into this rushed schedule, when all but 2 other French Immersion schools in the District have 3 hour programs?
• How can a school board, whose job it is to care about our children, think this is acceptable?
• Preschool, 100 Voices, City run programs are all 3 hours or longer, how is Kindergarten less important?

Unforeseen things that reduce classroom time:

• Fire Drills
• Lockdowns (drills)
• Potty Breaks or "accidents"
• Personality Conflicts between children
• Illness / Injuries
• Winter Clothing, dressing and undressing
• Cleanup, snacks, messes, spills, accidents 

There is a solution to any problem.  Part of the schools job is to teach problem solving to our children.  But nobody is willing to discuss solutions.  The principal of AJM is only willing to discuss keeping the timeline the same.

My goal is to have these hours changed effective January 1st, to provide adequate time for proper classroom learning, ease the pressure this is putting on our teachers and better prepare our children for full time school in the fall.

Please help by signing this petition.  If we don't fight for our children, who will?!