Full-Day Kindergarten Debate Continues

Should the East Meadow School District adopt a full-day kindergarten program?

It's a question that's prompted debate among parents in town for years and the topic will come up again when a local Mom addresses members of the East Meadow Board of Education at Thursday's meeting.

Christin Tripp posted a letter to fellow parents on the East Meadow Patch Speak Out Board alerting them she'd be speaking in favor of full-day kindergarten in the East Meadow school district. "I would appreciate any support in this matter. Lets be loud so maybe we will finally be heard," she said.

We asked readers what they thought about a full-day program on the East Meadow Patch Facebook page. Here are some of the responses:

Sharon Oderwald: Many families with parents working outside of the home have their children in full daycare programs prior to entering kindergarten. Placing that same child in 1/2 day (not even) kindergarten is more disruptive to the child. I admit I do not know the statistics but I would guess many families in East Meadow fall into this category.

Robin Steinberger: The district already pays for many intervention teachers that they can use for full-day kindergarten. Someone should ask how many kindergarten kids are going full day because they need the extra help. My daughter is now the only child coming home on her school bus because every other kid stays in the afternoon. Also if they didn't pay for a large school bus to run for one child maybe there would be more funding for full-day school for these kids. And Wantagh finally went full day this year.

Susan Weiss: Do you think you're doing something new and different? You're not. This is a yearly event at East Meadow school board meetings. Every single year a group "demands" full-day kindergarten. Hasn't made a difference in the 26 years I've lived here but good luck and keep trying. When my kids were in kindergarten, the schools didn't even have room for it. Barnum Woods had 8 kindergarten classes back then. I believe the district actually pays a fine because we don't have full-day kindergarten.

Holly Suhovsky: It's insane that there's no full-day kindergarten, especially with the new Common Core curriculum in which children are expected to do so much more. Giving a child half-day kindergarten is just setting them up for failure.

Claire Panaro: Many years ago we passed a bill that raised our taxes so that they could build WINGS in the schools to accommodate this phantom full-day kindergarden. They built the wings but the FT never happened! We should demand refunds.

Jodi Luce: I have felt, for quite some time, that with the increasingly difficult expectations placed on our students, we are placing them at a grave disadvantage by not providing them with a more solid foundation. Especially with the Common Core curriculum...how are they to keep up with their peers if they're not given the same time to be exposed to the curriculum? And, for any non-parents out there, they should keep in mind that, with a less desirable school district, this will undoubtedly impact property values. Something to keep in mind.

Scott Kautzmann: The maturity of the child is paramount to their succeeding in full-day kindergarten. I believe the age of 6 at the start of school should be mandatory. All other points well taken, but secondary in my opinion.

The board meeting will take place at the Leon J. Campo Center at 7 p.m. Thursday. Persons wishing to address the Board of Education must complete a blue speaker’s card available on the Board of Education’s secretary’s desk. Generally, each speaker will be given a maximum of three minutes to address the board. 

What are your thoughts about implementing a full-day kindergarten program in the East Meadow School District?