Full-day kindergarten may become a reality for Parkland children in the 2016-17 school year.

At the Sept. 15 meeting, Kelly Rosario, director of curriculum, instruction, and professional development; and Diane Neikam, elementary curriculum supervisor, reported on the reasons full-day kindergarten is a high priority for the district.

“If we are going to meet the goal of reading proficiency by the end of third grade, full day kindergarten is necessary,” Rosario said.

Pennsylvania Core Standards with its emphasis on rigorous academic work is a factor in the move toward all-day kindergarten, she added.

Rosario also noted noted there is not enough time to diagnose individual needs and develop character skills in half-day sessions.

“With a full day, children will be better prepared for first grade and will have faster gains on literacy and language skills,” Neikam said.

“The half-day program is not enough time to work on soft skills,” Rosario said.

“With so much academics to fit in, we’re missing time for playing and developing relationships,” Neikam said. “This will be a better balance.”

She reported the feasibility study nearing completion by Stantec Architecture and Engineering LLC will provide an accounting of different options that would be available to accommodate full-day kindergarten classrooms.

Neikam said the district is in the process of determining costs for a full-day kindergarten program.

Board member Robert Cohen commented on the proposal for full day kindergarten.

“We’ve talked about this for some years but always put it aside due to costs. We feel the time is right just now.

“We can charge into this with enthusiasm and support from our community.

“We can move this to the front burner. It has my enthusiastic support,” said Cohen.

Board president Roberta Marcus observed a sizable number of parents send their children to full day kindergarten at private schools because Parkland is only half a day.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman reported about 60-80 students enroll in Parkland for first grade after attending kindergarten elsewhere.

Rosario said Pennsylvania does not require kindergarten at all, although most parents in Parkland do not opt out of it.

If the full-day kindergarten is implemented, it will be all or nothing. Parents will not be able to choose only half a day, Rosario said.

Board member Barry Long expressed concern about parents’ acceptance of the full-day program.

“Some mothers aren’t ready to let go of their kids yet,” Long said.

Rosario stated children will still have time for play and will be adjusted to the full day by spring.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak offered remarks.

“This has been vetted by a diverse make-up of committee members. We will ask the board to make a decision on this in November,” Sniscak said.