4 Year Old Kindergarten

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• 4 Year Old Kindergarten
• Open Forum
• April 4, 2007
• Kelly Thompson Director of Instruction
• Ron Rivard Principal
• Kathy Brooks Director of Special Education
  Pupil Services
• Gary Goelz Principal
• Jen Losey EC Program Support

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Rationale

• All children need access to quality early
  learning experiences.

Lets put our heads together and see what life we
will make for our children. Tatanka Iotanks
Sitting Bull, Lakota
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Proposal

• Offer 4K for all interested parents 2007/08
• Optional program, non-mandatory
• Five days a week, 2.5 hours/day
• Housed at each elementary school
• Certified teacher and Aide
• Parent involvement
• Before (AM) or after (PM) school childcare
  services
• Transportation
• Initial Implementation Costs - Fund Balance

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Wisconsin History Current Status

• Article X State Constitution (4-20 years)
• Renewed interest in 4K
• Research
• Marketplace demands
• Accountability for student achievement
• Funding
• 66 increase in 4K enrollment since 2000
• 257 districts now offer 4K
• Including Elmbrook, Hamilton-Sussex, Whitefish
  Bay, Wauwatosa, Shorewood, Greendale

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Muskego-Norway Current Status

• Space consideration
• Considered partnerships with area preschools
• Enrollment projections MS expansion
• At full enrollment, need 8 classrooms
• TC (2-3) ME (1) MV (2) CM/BL (2-3)
• LV (2)

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Brain-Based Research

• The brain develops most rapidly during the first
  years of life
• changes in cerebral blood flow, growth in frontal
  lobe, development of new synapses
• Critical windows of opportunity
• WI Model Early Learning Standards

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Benefits to Our Children

• Universal voluntary 4K program available for all
  children.
• Receive pre-kindergarten experience with DPI
  licensed PK-4 teacher.
• Standards-based curriculum.
• Start school with social and academic skills that
  are critical to school success.
• later success on academic measures (at ages 8,
  12, and 15)
• reduced occurrences of grade retentions
• reduced need for special education services
• early assessment and identification provide
  opportunities
• for early intervention

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Benefits to Families

• Families have options
• Supports parents
• Families are included earlier in public education
  and standards-based curriculum
• Provide opportunities for parent education,
  family fun nights, nutrition services, family
  literacy and English as a second language
  services
• Early identification of families that may not
  have access to child-care subsidies

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Interest Survey Results
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Interest Survey Results (cont.)
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Interest Survey Results (cont.)
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Interest Survey results (cont.)

• Overall Supportive Responses
• 75

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Fiscal Considerations

• An Investment
• District Budget Impact

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Proposal

• Offer 4K for all interested parents 2007/08
• Optional program, non-mandatory
• Five days a week, 2.5 hours/day
• Housed at each elementary school
• Certified teacher and Aide
• Parent involvement
• Before (AM) or after (PM) school childcare
  services
• Transportation
• Initial Implementation Costs - Fund Balance

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• It takes a lot of effort and resources to make
  any positive change
• But our children are worth it!

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More Questions?

• Kelly Thompson
• kthompson_at_mnsd.k12.wi.us
• 262-679-5400 ext. 2128