Traverse City Area Public Schools has announced that All Day/Every Day Kindergarten will be offered as an option at every elementary school location beginning in Fall 2010.
TCAPS’ commitment to early childhood learning success has been part of our vision to provide every student with a strong foundation. Since 2007- 2008, the District has been expanding All Day / Every Day Kindergarten programs that are currently offered at six elementary schools. During this time, teachers, principals, and parents have observed the significant development and literacy growth for students participating in All Day / Every Day offerings with sustained growth as learners progress into first grade.
“By providing an All Day / Every Day option for all children, TCAPS believes that schools will be able to provide additional learning time to help more students achieve early success and reduce learning interventions for students in future years which are costly for both students and schools. TCAPS will be reallocating resources to support All Day / Every Day Kindergarten for all students to offset the costs to the District,” remarked Jame McCall, TCAPS’ Executive Director of Elementary and Special Education.
“The passion to make this happen has been strong from our parents, teachers, and principals. The window in a child’s life when learning can flourish is especially important during these short years. We cannot afford to postpone this investment as it offers a profound and lasting return,” emphasized Superintendent Jim Feil.
“In a report just released by our State’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation, research confirmed that students with early childhood learning success are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to require costly educational interventions such as remediation and repeating grades,” Feil noted.
Kindergarten parent information meetings are scheduled at the following elementary school locations during February:
ó February 9th
6:30 PM
o Central Grade School, Cherry Knoll, Interlochen, Long Lake
7:00 PM
o Courtade, Montessori, Westwoods
ó February 18th
6:30 PM
o Blair, Eastern, Traverse Heights
7:00 PM
o Old Mission, Silver Lake, Willow Hill
ó February 23rd
6:30 PM
o Young Fives Program – Central Grade School
In addition to offering All Day / Every Day Kindergarten at all elementary schools, the following Kindergarten programs will be offered at specific locations pending enrollment demand as follows:
óAll Day / Every Day Kindergarten Program at All Elementary Schools:
All Day / Every Day Kindergarten is taught by an experienced, certified, early childhood teacher. Students attend a full day, five days per week. TCAPS’ Kindergarten Program is based on a set of engaging standards and aligned with the State of Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and is intended to prepare children for first grade upon successful completion. Language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education are part of the curriculum. Most children qualify for transportation to their home school depending on distance and traffic danger. Open Enrollment and Schools of Choice enrollment will be determined based on space availability, with first placement priority given to children within the school’s attendance area.
óAll Day / Alternate Day Kindergarten Program at Old Mission Peninsula School*:
All Day / Alternate Day Kindergarten will be offered at Old Mission Peninsula School. The program is taught by an experienced, certified, early childhood teacher. Students attend a full day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. TCAPS’ All Day / Alternate Day Program is based on a set of engaging standards and aligned with the State of Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and is intended to prepare children for first grade upon successful completion. Language arts, math, science, social studies, music, and physical education are part of the curriculum. Transportation for Open Enrolled and Schools of Choice students will be self-provided.
óHalf Day / Every Day Kindergarten Program at Eastern Elementary School and Westwoods Elementary School*:
Half Day / Every Day Kindergarten is taught by an experienced, certified, early childhood teacher. Students attend a half-day (either a.m. or p.m.), five days per week. TCAPS’ Half Day Kindergarten Program is based on a set of engaging standards and aligned with the State of Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and is intended to prepare children for first grade entry upon successful completion. Language arts, math, science, social studies, music, and physical education are part of the curriculum. This option will be offered at Eastern Elementary School and Westwoods Elementary School and will be contingent upon enrollment. Transportation for Open Enrolled and Schools of Choice students will be self-provided.
óYoung Fives at Central Grade School*:
Young Fives is a half day / every day program for kindergarten age children with late birthdates (after May 1). The Young Fives program uses the Creative Curriculum and is intended to focus on the social /emotional and academic readiness skills that will prepare a child for a regular year of kindergarten the following year. Young Fives is intended for children who are not yet socially ready for kindergarten, rather than for children experiencing developmental delays. Though not mandated, it is strongly recommended that the Young Fives children enter a regular kindergarten option following their year in Young Fives, rather than going into first grade.Transportation will be self-provided in this option.
óMontessori at Glenn Loomis:
Kindergarten at TCAPS’ Montessori is a primary experience with a child-centered environment endorsing Montessori philosophy and methodology. The classroom director has Montessori and Michigan Elementary Certification. Parents will have the option of an: ‘all day / five day’ experience or ‘half-day / five day’ experience. Transportation will be self-provided in this option.
(*Pending Enrollment)
For more information, please contact Jame McCall at 231-933-5690. Parents are also encouraged to visit: www.tcaps.net/kindergarten for information regarding upcoming meetings, specific program options, and updates.