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Feature Stories (Vol. 110 No. 4--1/23/2008)

Kindergarten to move to full day, five day schedule next year

By Caroline Downs

Today’s story is Part 1 in a series about the expanded kindergarten schedule approved by the Kenmare School Board to begin in the 2008-09 school year.

Kids in Kenmare’s kindergarten spend four days a week learning about letters and words, numbers and shapes, the world around them and how to get along with each other--all with great gusto. Some of them wonder why they don’t get as many days of school as the other students.

But next year, kindergartners get to go five days a week, too.

Kenmare superintendent and elementary principal Duane Mueller wholeheartedly supports the extended schedule. "Research shows that all-day, five-day kindergarten will better prepare the students," he said. "Later on, academically, their test scores and achievement will be higher."

He continued, "I’m a believer. Going from four to five days gives us over 30 more days per year with those students. To me, that’s a significant opportunity."

The Kenmare School Board unanimously approved the change from four-day to five-day kindergarten for next year, in part because the state legislature approved funding for full-time kindergarten during its 2007 session.

According to school district business manager Renae Murphy, the Kenmare district currently receives $2900 in state foundation aid for each student in grades one through twelve, but kindergarten is funded by the state at 50 percent, meaning the Kenmare district receives $1400 in aid for each of those students. Next year under the new law, the district would receive $2900 in foundation aid per student for all grades if five-day kindergarten is offered.

She and Mueller noted the increased funds will have little impact on the district. "We receive a total of about $1 million in foundation aid and our total budget is about $3 million," Murphy said. "The state money pays about a third of our cost to educate kids."

"It never was an issue of money," Mueller said. "It’s a matter of the right thing to do."

Other school districts around North Dakota are increasing their kindergarten schedules to five days. Mueller attended a meeting with nearly 50 other superintendents in the state two weeks ago where every administrator indicated his or her district would implement full-time kindergarten in 2008-09. "It’s just a change, and it’s a change for the better," said Mueller.

He and the school board recognize the concerns some parents have expressed about the increased amount of time their kindergarten-aged children will spend in school. Mueller and board president David King met recently with a group of those families.

"I want them to understand it’s the parents’ choice," Mueller said. "Kindergarten in the state of North Dakota is not mandatory. Compulsory education starts at age seven or first grade. However, the research shows being in school in kindergarten leads to a better, more well-rounded student in terms of academic success."

Mueller also has support for the five-day schedule from Kenmare kindergarten teacher Jean Barnhart. "Mrs. Barnhart hears the disappointment from the kids now when there’s no school on Wednesday," Mueller said. "Our kindergartners show they’re ready for a full week of school."

Next week: Instructor Jean Barnhart discusses the learning opportunities that take place in kindergarten at Kenmare Elementary School and reasons why those opportunities should be expanded.