By David Wallace
C & G Staff Writer

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Public Schools Board of Education will consider a recommendation to end the district’s half-day kindergarten option at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. March 16.

Two years ago, the district extended all-day kindergarten to all of its elementary schools.

“At that time, a number of parents expressed an interest in the option of continuing the half-day program. We then extended the half-day opportunity to these families,” said Catherine Cost, the district’s assistant superintendent for instructional services. She presented the recommendation to end half-day kindergarten at the March 2 school board meeting.

“In our first year of all-day kindergarten, we had 804 students who attended our all-day program, 19 students who participated in the half-day program. This year we have 762 in the all-day program and 21 in the half-day program,” said Cost.

Both programs have the same curriculum.

“The difference is the amount of time the child has to work on that curriculum,” said Cost.

She said the all-day program showed better results compared to the half-day program.

“The fact that a majority of our kindergarten students are in school an entire day has greatly increased their ability levels. We’ve noted the additional time to master or gain social skills has really benefited the vast, vast majority of our students,” said Cost.

She said students in the all-day program achieved better results in reading, writing and science.

“The difference is students get to practice; they get to explore these concepts in-depth,” said Cost.

All-day students have gym twice a week, music twice a week and art once a week. Half-day students attend gym and music classes once a week, and art classes for 20 minutes; full-day students take art for 40 minutes.

“Our (physical education) teachers have been phenomenal working with our kindergarten teachers, and the exposure twice a week has greatly helped their fine motor skills and their development in our all-day program,” said Cost.

All-day students attend the same school where they will continue into the next grade, which Cost said is advantageous.

“The students in our half-day programs now have one more transition, most likely back to their home school,” said Cost.

Kindergarten is not what it used to be, officials said.

“In the last 10 years, the kindergarten curriculum has changed greatly, and really what was taught in first-grade is now taught in kindergarten. I can’t consciously think of allowing a child 10 years ago to only go to first-grade for half a day, and that’s exactly what we’re doing in our kindergarten classes,” said Cost.

Whether a student takes full-day kindergarten or half-day kindergarten, the district receives the same funding per pupil. Parent David Ryall asked the board — looking at $18 million in cuts to next year’s budget — to consider the potential savings in half-day kindergarten.

“I know we’re under tough economic times, and there may be some potential benefits to really looking at the half-day program. As you’re aware, you can get through twice as many kids in one classroom if you run both the a.m. and p.m. with one teacher,” said Ryall.

Ryall does not want the district to do away with all-day kindergarten, and said it meets the needs of some families. But he advocated for half-day kindergarten and suggested there are familial consequences that counter early academic gains.

“On average, a 5-year-old sleeps 11-12 hours a day. If they are in school for full-day kindergarten, they’re gone out of the house approximately seven-eight hours a day, transportation time and sitting in the classroom. That leaves four hours of the day for myself and my wife to spend with our 5-year-old,” said Ryall.

Parent Audrey Olenzek pushed a year ago for half-day kindergarten to remain an option. Her daughter is a half-day student.

“This has been better than I could have imagined,” she told the board. She said her daughter is spent at noon, and the half-day option provides necessary time for socialization with her family.

“The parents of our half-day students, they’re very passionate. They are committed parents, there’s no question, and they truly want what’s right for their child. I think what we have is just a philosophical disagreement,” said Cost.

After many recent meetings at North Farmington High School, the next school board meeting will move back to the district’s central office at 32500 Shiawassee in Farmington.

You can reach Staff Writer David Wallace at dwallace@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1053.