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Last night, the board approved full-day kindergarten! The vote was 6 to 3. Joe Hidalgo joined with Yota Palli, Ed Tate, Nikki Khan, Linda Stone and myself to approve the implementation of FDK in the 2025-2026 school year!
It’s About Time For Our Families
Six months ago, a new board was sworn in, eager to address long-deferred issues. For families living in our district and those considering moving here, FDK is about better education for our youngest learners. Seventy-five percent (75%) of residents who took the Council Rock Kindergarten Survey strongly supported implementation of FDK. At an average cost for each family of just $36 per year, this is taxpayer money well-spent.
It’s About Time For Our Kindergarten Curriculum
We heard from Council Rock kindergarten teachers who told us there are not enough hours in the half-day program to teach an entire kindergarten curriculum. Kids are rushed to meet academic minimums and are not able to play or learn through interaction with their peers.
It’s About Time For the Entire Council Rock Community
Once FDK is implemented, Council Rock will finally join the 85% of Pennsylvania school districts offering full-day kindergarten and providing support for young and growing families in our community.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, 30 years ago my mother served on a committee of working moms fighting to bring full-day K to our district, and was questioned why she would work so hard for something that wouldn’t benefit her own kids (I was enrolled in half-day kindergarten at the time). My mother was advocating for children and families throughout our district, and today, more than 30 years later, I’m so proud to have continued that fight and to have played a role in bringing full-day K to our district.
AND it’s just the beginning. We continue to focus on three main areas: Educational Excellence, Student Well Being, and Communication. Over the summer and throughout the ‘24-’25 academic year, the board will be evaluating initiatives in each of these areas. If you have an idea about how we can further any of these areas, please let me know. I welcome your feedback via email at tracey.osecki@crsd.org.