Kindergarten Registration - K Plus (All Day K) Program
2012-2013 School Year - Questions and Answers
Q: Is this program mandatory?
A: No, enrollment in the program is optional. The traditional school sponsored Half Day
program will continue to be considered our core program.
Q: What are the unique features of the K Plus (All Day K) program?
- Extension of the Half Day program content
- Daily access to a specialist subject teacher (Physical Education-90 minutes/week,
Music-90 minutes/week, Art-60 minutes/week) - A single classroom teacher for the entire day, for greater continuity of activities and
individual attention - Lunch and recess at school
- The same start times and a similar daily schedule as children in Grades 1-5
Q: What aspects of the current core curriculum will receive additional emphasis?
- An emphasis on language development and appropriate pre-literacy experiences
- Technology access and integration in the curriculum
- A focus on experiential learning and higher level thinking
- Social skill-building in small group and full class settings
- Additional time for engagement in active, child-initiated, small-group and play
activities - Opportunities for enrichment, reinforcement and re-teaching
Q: What will a typical K Plus (All Day K) daily schedule include?
- Arrival, Welcome, Announcements
- Calendar/Daily News
- Phonics/Houghton-Mifflin Reading
- Integrated Language Arts (Letter Work, Literacy Centers, Story Time, Writing
Workshop) - Shared Reading
- Lunch & Recess
- Quiet Time
- Specialist Time
- Math
- Social Studies/Science/Thematic Learning Centers
- Clean Up/Pack Up/Dismissal
Q: What does the program cost?
A: The fee for 2012-2013 is $360 per month. The fee is paid in nine monthly installments. The first payment will be due at the time of registration. Additional costs will be incurred if a family registers for extended hours with KIDS Club (before or after school programming). Questions about financial assistance may be directed to Paulette Lee at (952) 848-4948.
Note: Edina Public Schools cannot make any claim that the K Plus All Day Kindergarten Program is eligible for Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement offered through employers. Please be sure to check with your employer or IRS regulations for eligibility.
Q: How many children typically enroll in the K Plus (All Day K) program?
A: The K Plus (All Day K) program had 336 Kindergarten students enrolled in 2011-2012. This is about 60-65% of Edina’s total kindergarten enrollment.
Q: What is the anticipated teacher to student ratio?
A: The staffing ratio for our current Half Day Kindergarten program ranges from 19-21.
If the average kindergarten class size in our current program goes above 21, paraprofessional assistance is added to the classroom. The rate is one hour of paraprofessional time for every two students over an enrollment of 21. The average class size for K Plus (All Day K)will likely be between 22 and 24 students. It is difficult to provide an accurate prediction for class size until the actual enrollments at each building are known.
Q: Will K Plus (All Day K) be offered in each of the six elementary schools?
The program is offered in each of our six elementary schools
Q: If my child is enrolled at Normandale will the K Plus (All Day K) program include additional French instruction?
A: The intent of the K Plus (All Day K) program is to extend and enrich the Half Day core Kindergarten program. Therefore, at least some of the extended time at Normandale Elementary will be in French.
Q: My Child receives special education services, how will this be impacted in the K Plus (All Day K)?
A: The student's IEP services and specialized instruction will be delivered during the regular school sponsored kindergarten as is currently the practice. If a student with an IEP elects to enroll in K Plus (All Day K) or in KIDS Club, services will not be provided during that time. If a child is in need of a paraprofessional for health or safety reasons during regular kindergarten, paraprofessional support will also be provided in K Plus
(All Day K) or KIDS Club.
Q: Will my child have to be transported to another school for K Plus (All Day K)?
A: The intent is for the K Plus (All Day K) program to be implemented at the school of enrollment and with the child’s Kindergarten teacher. In the event there is insufficient enrollment at any one school, or enrollment that exceeds one section but is not sufficient for two sections, the extended option may be offered to the family in another building where space allows. Transportation arrangements would have to be considered if/when this scenario evolves.
Q: What are my options if I only want full day on two or three days each week?
A: You may elect a half day KIDS Club option where programming is located at Edina Community Center. Transportation is provided to afternoon KIDS Club from the elementary schools and from morning KIDS Club to the elementary schools.
Q: What about extended hours before and after school?
A: For families in need of extended hour services, the Edina KIDS Club program provides extended hours beginning at 6:45 am and continuing until the school’s start time. The extended hours begin immediately after school and continue until 6:00 pm. Please visit the KIDS club website at www.edina.k12.mn.us/community/kidsclub
Q: How do I register my child for K Plus (All Day K)?
A: Please go to our website https://edina.thatscommunityed.com for instructions.
Q: Who can I contact if I have additional questions about K Plus (All Day K)?
A: If you have additional questions, please call or email Lana Davis at 952-848-3934 or landavis@edina.k12.mn.us