BLANCHARDVILLE - Pecatonica School will begin a new 4-year-old kindergarten program for the 2008-2009 school year.
The district is hopeful the program will attract 20 students, interim District Administrator David Westhoff said. Both a morning and afternoon session will be offered. The sessions will be about two and a half hours each day for four days each week.
The school board unanimously approved the program Feb. 18 after "studying the program for three or four years," Westhoff said.
The curriculum is designed to develop school readiness, socialization and listening skills for 4-year-olds, as well as identification of letters and sounds.
Pre-kindergarten programs have become increasingly common over the past few years.
"Many, if not most of the school districts in the state have or will be implementing 4K programs," Westhoff said, adding the program will keep Pecatonica competitive with neighboring districts that offer 4K.
Educational research "strongly supports" 4K programs, he said. In a press release posted on the Pecatonica school district Web site, Westhoff cites research that shows:
• 85 percent of a child's intellect, personality and social skills are formed by the age of 5.
• Children who finish pre-K programs perform better on standardized tests, are less likely to repeat grades or need special education and are more likely to graduate from high school.
• Children who participate in early childhood programs have lower rates of teen pregnancy, decreased delinquency and higher rates of employment.
4K is something parents wanted, Westhoff continued. Interviews with parents during the district's annual Child Development Days showed there is a strong interest in the program. Many families have not been able to sent their children to preschool for financial or transportation reasons.
The 4K class will be held in the same space as the existing early childhood program, Westhoff. Enrollment numbers will determine if an additional teacher will be hired.
Westhoff estimated the maximum start-up cost for the program at $55,000, which would include a teacher if needed. The district is hoping to receive a grant to recoup some of that money.
The start-up costs would also include increased transportation costs, he said. Four-year-olds will be eligible to ride on regular bus routes before and after school. In addition, the district will provide door-to-door busing home from the morning session and to school for the afternoon session.
The program is expected to return $40,000 per year to the district in state aid and an increase in the state-imposed revenue cap.
Like kindergarten, the program is optional. It will be open to all children who are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008.
Enrollment dates for the program have not been set, but Westhoff said that will likely take place in the next six weeks or so.
The district is hopeful the program will attract 20 students, interim District Administrator David Westhoff said. Both a morning and afternoon session will be offered. The sessions will be about two and a half hours each day for four days each week.
The school board unanimously approved the program Feb. 18 after "studying the program for three or four years," Westhoff said.
The curriculum is designed to develop school readiness, socialization and listening skills for 4-year-olds, as well as identification of letters and sounds.
Pre-kindergarten programs have become increasingly common over the past few years.
"Many, if not most of the school districts in the state have or will be implementing 4K programs," Westhoff said, adding the program will keep Pecatonica competitive with neighboring districts that offer 4K.
Educational research "strongly supports" 4K programs, he said. In a press release posted on the Pecatonica school district Web site, Westhoff cites research that shows:
• 85 percent of a child's intellect, personality and social skills are formed by the age of 5.
• Children who finish pre-K programs perform better on standardized tests, are less likely to repeat grades or need special education and are more likely to graduate from high school.
• Children who participate in early childhood programs have lower rates of teen pregnancy, decreased delinquency and higher rates of employment.
4K is something parents wanted, Westhoff continued. Interviews with parents during the district's annual Child Development Days showed there is a strong interest in the program. Many families have not been able to sent their children to preschool for financial or transportation reasons.
The 4K class will be held in the same space as the existing early childhood program, Westhoff. Enrollment numbers will determine if an additional teacher will be hired.
Westhoff estimated the maximum start-up cost for the program at $55,000, which would include a teacher if needed. The district is hoping to receive a grant to recoup some of that money.
The start-up costs would also include increased transportation costs, he said. Four-year-olds will be eligible to ride on regular bus routes before and after school. In addition, the district will provide door-to-door busing home from the morning session and to school for the afternoon session.
The program is expected to return $40,000 per year to the district in state aid and an increase in the state-imposed revenue cap.
Like kindergarten, the program is optional. It will be open to all children who are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008.
Enrollment dates for the program have not been set, but Westhoff said that will likely take place in the next six weeks or so.