Moms Talk: Anchor Bay Changes Kindergarten Options

Parents in the Anchor Bay Schools District received letters recently informing them of for kindergarten students in the upcoming school year.

Among the changes:

• Children in the full-day program will spend half the day with a kindergarten teacher and will now spend the other half of the day with qualified paraprofessionals.
• Parents who have children in the half-day program will now be responsible for transportation.
• Children will now be transferred to their home school. Previously, all-day kindergarten was only offered at select schools.
• Children in the full-day program will now be bused with other students in grades 1-5.
• Kindergarteners will have lunch options, such as hot meals and the ability to bring their own bag lunches.

According to a June 24 letter from Anchor Bay Schools, "Offering half- and full-day kindergarten programs in each elementary school allows parents to decide the best option for their child. A review of school district data shows comparable student achievement on the third-grade MEAP test whether the child attends half- or full-day kindergarten."

Principals are making phone calls this week to answer questions. A kindergarten orientation will be held in each school Sept. 7 and more information from the district will be sent in August.