Northeast School To Implement Extended Day Kindergarten

After Columbus Day, the 53 kindergarten students at Northeast School will see a longer school day as the district reacts to poor Connecticut Mastery scores the school received over the summer.

The Board of Education approved unanimously the extended day kindergarten program on Monday night at its regular board meeting. Northeast’s program models one that is already practiced by Maple Street School.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway explained to the board that Adequate Yearly Progress information has yet to be released by the state, but that in looking at the scores already released this summer, Northeast is not in good shape.

“We have looked at Northeast’s scores, they are not very good,” Conway said. “Northeast’s scores are appalling. This was imminent. ”

Conway explained that in looking at what resources were offered throughout the district already that implementing an extended day program at Northeast would be one solution to assisting students. Conway pointed out that Maple Street School has had a positive impact from offering an extended day kindergarten program.

“This would enable our students to have more academic time,” Conway said. “It’s certainly a no-brainer.”

The students will receive additional instructional time specifically in reading. Students will also participate in K-Talk, a program that exposes students to language development.

Northeast has two morning sessions and one afternoon session of kindergarten. Students in the morning will attend school from 8:17 am until 12:32 pm while afternoon students will attend school from 10:47 am to 3:02 pm. Students will still be offered classes in physical education, music and library.

But students will also now eat lunch at school during the day. Families can apply for free and reduced lunch for their children.

Northeast has only one full-time and one part-time teacher. The motion included increasing the part-time teacher from a .5 to a .6 position, an increase of approximately $4,000, according to Conway.

Principal Michael DeBellis explained to the board that adding time to the part-time teacher will allow some “breathing room” to the teacher’s schedule and allow the teacher to remain at the school until morning students are released to go home.

Board member David Kemp said, “This is very encouraging to see this.”

Board member Paul Stansel agreed by saying, “Sad we have to, but thrilled we are.”

The school is working with the bus company to finalize transportation for the kindergarteners, DeBellis said. Students in the afternoon session will need to be picked up sooner, while another run will be added to bring morning students home.

DeBellis hoped that the school would see results from implementing the extended day program during winter universal screening results. The extended day time period begins on Tuesday, Oct. 11.