FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2004

Introducing All Day/Every Day Senior Kindergarten
Improved academic achievement and enhanced social skills are at the heart of a new pilot program for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB). All Day/Every Day Senior Kindergarten will begin at the following three schools next September:

• C.M.L. Snider Public School in south HPEDSB
• Deseronto Public School in east HPEDSB
• Maynooth Public School in north HPEDSB

Under the new model, the Senior Kindergarten curriculum will be taken to an extended level of study. All Day/Every Day Senior Kindergarten will provide opportunities for further consistency and continuity of program, and consolidation of learning.

“As a Board, we give our full support to piloting All Day-Every Day Senior Kindergarten at the three schools. Before making the decision to proceed, we considered the impact on children, schools and communities. The program is supported by current and continuous professional development for teachers. A data assessment component to monitor the program’s success has also been incorporated,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board.

The impetus for this initiative originated in a report entitled The Schools We Have, The Schools We Need, prepared by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) in April 2003. The report was commissioned to research the future of education in Ontario. One of the report’s recommendations was to “provide full day junior and senior kindergarten programs . . .” especially to families who do not have ready access to early years support services.

According to Stacey Belanger, Principal of Harmony Public School and Chairperson of the JK/SK Advisory Committee that researched this initiative, processes are in place to ensure a positive impact on children.

“The committee took into consideration programming, budget, school facilities, and alternative child support services available in our communities,” remarks Belanger.

Research indicates that there are a wide range of long-lasting positive benefits to students in All Day/Every Day Senior Kindergarten programs. These benefits range from personal and social growth to academic success. Students in the pilot program will have an opportunity to extend their learning experiences in a developmentally appropriate program.

All Day/Every Day Senior Kindergarten is not new to Ontario, having emerged as a result of changing cultural and social trends. Presently pilot or full-time programs are offered at nine English public school boards in Ontario.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,900 students and employing 1,083 teachers. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information contact:
• Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board, (613) 921-3203, (or 1 800 267-4350 x2354 to leave a message)
• Stacey Belanger, Principal, Harmony Public School, (613) 962-7867