Schools

Lyman Elementary Gears Up for Full-Day Kindergarten

Orientation was held Wednesday for the first class of Region 13 students offered full-day kindergarten.

 

On Wednesday, dozens of kindergarten students lined up to get on the school bus at John Lyman Elementary School for the first time, an annual rite of passage that has taken on a more significant meaning this year.

While the first day of school is still a week away, parents, students and school staff have been preparing for the start of full-day kindergarten in Region 13 since spring.

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"I am on cloud nine. I'm just so happy to be here today," said parent Cindy Nick, whose daughter Elizabeth was one of about 45 students that attended Wednesday's kindergarten orientation at the school.

In May, Region 13's $35.98 million budget which included the implementation of full-day kindergarten.

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Starting August 30, kindergarten students at Lyman and Brewster Elementary School will see their school day more than double, an increase parents and teachers have said is necessary to prepare students for a new set of state standards known as the Common Core.

While educators pressed for more classroom time for students, many parents also argued that full-day kindergarten made sense from a practical standpoint.

"They get on the bus together, they get off the bus together. We don't have to do multiple bus [trips]" said parent Polly Chace, whose daughter is entering Lyman one year behind her brother who attended half-day classes as a kindergartener last year.

"We're looking forward to a full-day," she said.

Lyman principal Tom Ford, who himself is a new face at the school after taking over for the retired Karen Brimecombe, welcomed the kids back to the school after the bus ride was over.

"It's wonderful to have the parents and their kids back, because there's nothing like kindergarteners," said Ford. "This is their first experience here. They all came in with smiles on their faces, they're excited."

For parents, emotions were mixed.

"I'm a little nervous, but excited," said Marie Smith.


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