By Kenneth Roberts,Special to the Sun Journal

LEEDS-Administrators and teachers in SAD 52 again stressed the advantages of full-day kindergarten at a forum at the Leeds Central School on Thursday evening.

Principals Theresa Gillis of the Turner Primary School and Tom Martellone of Greene Central School joined five teachers in facilitating the forum and answering questions about the school board’s decision to begin full-day kindergarten in the district’s three towns this fall. It was a decision made on the evidence presented to the board by the Early Childhood Committee comprised of teachers, board members, and citizens from the three towns who had studied and researched the issue for nearly two years.

Their findings convinced the board that full-day kindergarten provides a more sound academic foundation for children, greatly improves their social skills, builds self-confidence, and is cost effective. The committee found that school systems with the full-day program had greatly reduced their costs for remedial programs.

Some parents among the more than 30 present expressed concerns about their 5-year-old child being in school all day. They were told they should contact the principal of their school and begin discussing their concerns, attend the screening sessions for each prospective student which will be held in the three towns in May, and maintain communication with the principal and the teachers. They were also told if parents believe their child would be better served by less than a full day of kindergarten, other arrangements can be made.

Asked what had changed at this time to require moving from half-day to full-day kindergarten, Gillis and others pointed to more demanding learning standards, recognition of the importance of students reading at the earliest age possible, the greater need for youngsters to develop social skills, and the necessity for more in-school time for individual attention.

Facilitators pointed out that the current half-day kindergarten is actually a two-and-half-hour program. But with time deducted for transitioning and snacks, less than two hours a day is actually available for schooling.

Parents with questions about the change to full-day kindergarten should call their principals: Theresa Gillis, Turner, 225-3655; Cheryl McKeagney, Leeds, 524-5151, and Greene, Tom Martellone, 946-5681.

Screenings for prospective kindergarten students beginning school this fall will be held in Leeds on May 1, in Greene on May 3 and 4, and in Turner, May 11 and 12.

The third forum in the series, prior to the SAD 52 budget hearings and vote in June, will be held at the Greene Central School at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.

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