Extended Day Kindergarten Family Event

By Lynn K. McMullin


Every day, the news coming from our 'Extended Day Kindergarten Pilot' gets better and better. Our teacher, Jessica Papp, is a real find!  She is inventing the structures and curriculum as she goes – observing the children in their morning classes, and then incorporating what she learns about their strengths and weaknesses into the afternoon lessons. We can see that the children are making great strides in both the academic and social arenas, but it’s too soon for me to report any data.

I would, however, like to report on the recent family event hosted by the Bushnell in Hartford and attended by 80% of our extended day kindergarten families… about 55 people in all!  As you may recall, our families agreed (when they applied for the pilot program) to help out in the afternoon classroom occasionally and to attend the planned social events designed to build community among the students and their families. The first of these events was held Tuesday, November 30, at 5:30 in the Seavers Room of the Bushnell, where our Choice and Canton resident kindergarten families -- moms, dads, brothers, and sisters -- joined for an evening of friendship, education, and fun.

The Bushnell, thanks to the kind and meticulous attention of Yolande Spears and her staff, treated us to a beautiful hall complete with linen covered tables and a stage with a grand piano -- where a charismatic professional storyteller engaged the students in a funny and interactive performance.  Then, Max’s provided a delicious (kid-friendly) meal of macaroni-and-cheese (comfort food to die for!), chicken fingers, (roasted chicken for the adults), salad, and desserts.  It didn't end there, as the kindergarteners were then invited to take home a book to add to their family library. The books, all mainstays of the Bushnell’s Education Department, featured diverse characters, settings, and themes.

Amanda Potrya, with whom we have been working to ensure the quality of our program, shared her thoughts with us the next morning. She wrote, “I'd really like to highlight the efforts of the Cherry Brook Primary School's Extended Day Program to welcome in our [Choice] families, and create a welcoming school/family partnership. Tonight was priceless. I know I walked away with great memories, and a lot to look forward to. Thanks a million for making a difference in our young student's lives!”

So what’s up next?

Amanda, Margaret Miller of Canton’s CPAT, and I met this past week to see if we can extend our CPAT program to Choice families of two- and three-year-olds who already have siblings in the Canton Schools, (but perhaps not until the weather changes again in late March). Meanwhile, Andy Robbin and I are working on a proposal to offer the kindergarten extended day to additional Canton families next year. It’s important to remember that we have accomplished everything thus far without spending any local Board of Education money.