Council Rock Making Final Preparations For Full-Day Kindergarten

NEWTOWN, PA — One of the biggest educational changes in years is coming to the Council Rock School District in September.

Four months from now, the district will launch a full-day kindergarten program, significantly impacting the overall learning experience students receive as they begin their educational journey at Council Rock.

“We’re getting more time with the kids at their developmental stage. We’re doubling the time they’re in front of teachers. And we’re doubling the time for academics and peer-to-peer relationships,” said Superintendent Dr. Andy Sanko. “It will be a service first and foremost to our students but also to our community because the vast majority of moms and dads are both working."

Behind the scenes, the district is continuing to put the final touches on the program, which administrators say will be a game changer for students, better preparing them for primary-grade learning, enhancing school socialization and equipping them with stronger learning skills as they head into the primary grades.

“This initiative reflects the district's commitment to early childhood education and aligns with the best practices to support the academic and social development of students,” said Nicole Crawford, the district’s director of elementary education and is leading the transition to a full-day program.

Last year, the school board directed the administration to research and look into the benefits of bringing a full-day program to the district. That led to the approval of the program last June.

Since then, Crawford and her team have focused their energies on developing the curriculum for the new program.

“There’s been a lot of work done with curriculum writing,” said Crawford. “We will be expanding on our math program - Bridges. It’s using the same program, but expanding to a full-day unit. We’re also using our same English/Language Arts program, which is Reading Horizons.”

In addition, Crawford said they will be adding a new component to the educational day - Play Lab - “which is something we are really excited about.

"Play Lab is based on a lot of research about the importance developmentally for students to have that opportunity for play-based learning," said Crawford, and will include units that promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through structured play exploration.

The curriculum for Play Lab "is wonderfully written," said Crawford, and is being led by curriculum coordinator Ann Bell and a team of kindergarten teachers, coordinators, and specialists.

One unit, she revealed, has a pond theme and will be teaching science through various learning stations. "Maybe they're building what you would find at a pond with model clay. It's very much engaging and learning through play," she said.

The full-day program will also include expanded access to all district specials.

“Half-day-only included art and library. Now they will have access to all of them - Art, music, physical education, library, and STEAM,” said Crawford.

The schedule will also include recess for unstructured play and a lunch period.

“We have deliberately taken our time to make sure every step taken was done fully informed and fully researched and with the best resources we could find,” said Andrea Mangold, the district's Director of Educational Innovation & Strategic Engagement. “We’re confident that the program the children will be entering in the fall will be developmentally the best. It will be enriching. They will learn. They will grow. And they will develop.”

According to Crawford, there have been dozens and dozens of people who have been involved with
the planning process and development of the program from teachers to parents, building administrators, and central office administrators.

"We're confident the community is going to be very happy with this and we have no doubt our students will directly benefit from it," said Crawford.

Mangold added, "We’re excited for these kids. This investment is going to show its dividends as these kids age because the skills they are learning earlier prepare them more broadly for the working world ... We’re creating a deeper, broader, and stronger foundation. For a Kindergartener to be in a STEAM classroom, that's pretty remarkable."

Full-Day Kindergarten Community Night

To introduce the district’s parents to the program, Council Rock will be holding a Full Day Kindergarten Community Night on Tuesday, May 6, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Newtown Middle School.

Parents and incoming Full-Day Kindergarten students are invited to attend the special evening, which will include a Full-Day Kindergarten presentation at 6 p.m. followed by a gallery walk at 6:30 that will introduce parents and students to the specials that will be offered by the program.

"The event is going to be quick by design," explained Crawford, "because parents, families and community members are invited to attend, but with their incoming kindergarteners, too."

According to Crawford, the first 30 minutes will be an overview of the work that's been done, the planning that has taken place behind the scenes, and the curriculum that has been developed for the program.

"We'll also have a component to it - A Day In The Life of A Kindergartener. We're going to have that come to life - what that will look like to a five-year-old walking in at the beginning of the year," said Crawford.

At 6:30 p.m., the group will move from the auditorium to the gym where youngsters, families and parents are invited to explore the program's specials and its kid-friendly Playlab through a gallery walk.

In addition, Crawford said a registration area will be set up where district personnel will be available to answer questions and to assist parents in beginning the registration process.

For more about Full-Day Kindergarten and how to register, click here.