Parental involvement important
The New Prague Area Schools hosted an informational meeting on All- Day, Everyday Kindergarten Monday, December 2, at Eagle View Elementary School.
About 24 parents attended the meeting, where district officials and teachers talked about new state funding that adequately reimburses districts that offer All Day, Everyday Kindergarten. Most everyone at the meeting agreed that the move was a good thing for kids, that many children will benefit from the extra time they will have to work in the classroom with their teachers.
There were, though, a group of people who urged the district not to abandon the current Every Other Day kindergarten option. Many of the parents who talked about this option said they value the time with their children and work with them to help make sure they are ready for first grade.
It was good to see parent involvement in the process of deciding what to do. Ultimately, the school board will make a decision, and they said that the decision will not be based on finances, but on what’s best for the kids. The board will decide in January what options to provide parents with when they make their kindregarten choices. What is eventually offered next fall, though, will depend on how many of the students are signed up for the Every Other Day alternative.
The district will hold another meeting Monday, Dec. 9, at Falcon Ridge Elementary, and the information gathered will be presented to the board at its December 12 meeting. It is important for parents who are affected by this decision to make themselves heard and come to this meeting and let district officials know what their preferences are.
