I am looking for other parents who are upset by the kindergarten situation in Keller ISD. The school board has decided to offer full day classes at 15 schools, while leaving the remaining six schools at half day. I think it is unfair to offer more hours of instruction in fundamental subjects like Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science to some children than others. I understand the reasons that the board has given regarding why the six campuses are not ready to transition. However, I feel that they should offer the same opportunities district wide when it comes to basic education. After all, we are all paying the same taxes! I am planning to speak at the next school board meeting on Thursday, March 12th at 6:30. Any citizen who would like to speak will be given five minutes if they sign in between 6:15 and 6:30. I have also contacted all members of the school board and have received some interesting feedback. If you would like to share information, please contact me.
PS I just wanted to clarify a few things. In this situation, I do think the kids in 1/2 day will be disadvantages since they will be mainstreamed with kids who were full day. If you look at the KISD website, there is chart showing that full day kids will receive double the instruction time in language arts, social studies, and science, as well as 1-1/2 times the math instruction. They will also get the things like art, music, PE, computer lab, and library time on a regular basis. I didn't mind if my child went full or half, I just think it is unfair to let some kids have a much better opportunity than others. When we voted on the bond, it was build a multipurpose facility to allow the entire district to have full day in 2010. They just decided to do it early for part of the district. I just wanted to say that they are not providing the same thing in half and full in this case.
K.,
All I can say is stay positive when you speak with the board. Get all of the parents from other schools who are affected by this to come together on this issue and stand as a large group rather than as individuals or from individual schools. Good luck!
I'm sure the district is doing the best they can to accomodate everyone. I read a comment that stated the kids in the half day K will be disadvantaged?? Does that mean that everychild that has had half day K is disadvantaged?? I don't think so. What half day kids miss out on is recess time, lunch time, and some extra playtime. I'm sure the educational part of the day is the same standard throughout the district. Everyone who bought a home in KISD was aware of the hours for Kinder., and it was a good enough standard at the time you CHOSE your district. It should be fine for you to wait 1 more year for the proper building space to be set up. I'm sure if they brought in portables to accomodate the full day K in the smaller schools, there be people complaining about that too! If full day K is such a big deal, you should have bought a house in BISD!
Please remember that opinions are asked for on this venue and this is my opinion, even though I'm quite sure it is a very unpopular one at this time.
Please understand, I'm not trying to be mean because I respect your concern but look at the bigger picture - FAMILY. Why be so concerned about the "opportunity" a kinder kid has or doesn't have? Art, music, P.E, etc. are all things children can do at home anyway. If those are the subjects taught after the 1/2 day kids go home, then there's not much instruction being missed that can't be given from a parent at home. Most homes have computers, a kinder kid can use the computer with parental guidance. They aren't missing anything other than more time with other kids. Isn't it time with parents that's most important?
I too have a huge issue with some of the decisions that the school board has made recently, this being one of them. I wrote to the entire board myself, including Dr. V and Karen Holacka, only to be smoke blown up by ?>#. I have a kindergartener this year so won't benefit from it but am extremely irritated in the fact that they made everybody but 6 schools for next year. If they would have made only six schools next year, then I think Kevin Stevenson, one of hte board members, email me back expressing somewhat of a concer regarding this issue. The minutes from the last meeting aren't posted on the web site yet - maybe they are delaying on purpose.
I also know that apparently, now you won't be able to transfer to a school that offers full day if your does not.
I am extremely irritated with this whole decision and the fact that we are somewhat limited on what we can even do as taxpayers/parents. If you have any suggestions, I know we can speak at the board meeting, that would be great, but sadly I think we are stuck with what these elected officials decide for us.
S. Wilson
There was a Keller kindergarten post a few days ago with several responses. I didn't read it, but you may want to look for it and see if one of mamas share your position. You can send private messages to them.
I'm surprised you haven't gotten any responses on this. I can see why this is a huge issue. My son is in kindergarten this year and my daughter won't start until 2011 (when full-day is district-wide). So this doesn't really effect us. But I can see why you'd be upset about it!
First let me say that I think that Keller finally offering full day kindergarten to all children is great even though my last child is currently in kindergarten this year.
Full day kindergarten has always been offered in KISD to date but only for kids who speak english as a second language or qualify based on income / family size. Most of those campuses are the ones that will phase into full day first.
My now 1st grader was in 1/2 day kindergarten last year and my youngest child is in full day kindergarten this year. Although the schedule is different both classes learn the same lessons...full day just has more time to learn it. No my other child didn't get art, music or PE while in 1/2 day but he didn't miss out on anything. He did get library time though.
Honestly, it's really not a big issue in my opinion.
If given a choice, I would rather the half day over the full. Kids have to grow up soooo fast already, and with the half day, mom gets to enjoy them a little longer. There are lots of things you can do with them at home to make them ready for first grade and still have fun. In Memphis and St. Louis, we had a choice. They learned just as much in the half day, but were much happier to have the down time at home. I would embrace the half day because it would give you one more year to shape them. 8:30 - 2:30 is a long day for them, and most of the learning is done in the morning anyway when they're fresh. Just another way to look at it, but I enjoyed that extra year with a couple of ours, and wish I would have had it with the rest.
Apparently trouble seems to follow Dr.H . Ya'll got rid of your problem and now shes over here in our district (Brazosport ISD) stirring up trouble
I no longer have children in the district but I did. I would be upset too. You are right all children should have the same opportunities. It seems very unfair by now you would think all schools would have full time kindergarten.
I also have a daughter in kisd and read about the situation in the keller citizen. My advice-get over it. The six schools that cannot offer it are doing it because of overcrowding and safety issues. Kindergarten has been half day forever so get over it and just realize how fortunate your child is to get an education in the great kisd.
Good for you for planning on taking action against this! I am also very upset about this. I have twins that will be in kindergarten next year and we are at one of the school that will still be half days. I don't see how they think that giving some kids 7 hours of school and others 3 hours won't affect our children's performance and adjustment when they start first grade. I think it is giving the full day kids a tremendous advantage. I know there are people who will say to just apply for a transfer but why should my children have to go to another school for 1 year when their home school is 3 blocks away!? I'm interested in what kind of feedback you've received from the school board. If you'd like you can email me at ____@____.com. Thanks and good luck!
Cara
I have to agree that the District should make all schools full day. We are paying the big taxes for to have quality schools. Instead of giving Dr. V the pay raise of $20,000.00, it could have went towards to have all schools full day.
Also I have heard that the Kindergarten teachers at the half day schools have to teach the same curriculum as the full day in 3 hours!!! The stress they are putting on the teachers is not right.
