On July 8th, our school board approved a new, two-year kindergarten class at Creekside. This class is designed for students who are on the young end of the enrollment window. Very often these students struggle in school because we have behavior expectations that are not reasonable for their age. I have reviewed a study that indicates these students often continue to perform below the level of the older students as far as fourth grade. The study also shows that there are fewer students in four-year colleges who are on the young end of the age window compared to students on the older end. To compensate for this age disadvantage, we are offering a two-year program similar to one that has been in place in the Poway school district for several years.
The basic facts of the program are:
It is open to students whose 5th birthday is between June 1st and December 2nd of this year.
Students will have the same teacher and classmates for two years.
The curriculum will paced according to their ability.
If you think this class might be right for you child, you should consider that:
I will ask you for a verbal commitment to keep your child in the program for two years.
The kindergarten curriculum will be stretched to cover two years, so it is not reasonable to expect that a child will be ready for first grade after one year in this program.
The teacher will teach at the level appropriate for the students and in the second year may extend beyond the regular curriculum if appropriate.
I want to emphasize that the concern with younger students is more about behavior than academic ability. Readiness for kindergarten is not based just on whether a child knows letters and numbers. To decide whether your child is ready for the regular kindergarten program, you should ask yourself:
Can he follow two or three step directions?
Can she sit still for 15 minutes and pay attention?
Can he tolerate frustration and disappointment? (Like not being able to do something that his classmates can do, or having to take turns, share and wait.)
Can she play cooperatively and be aware of the needs of other children?
Can he hold a pencil and use scissors?
If you think this program might be the right placement for your child, please email me at kmalcom@alpineschools.net with your child’s name, birthday and your contact information. I will respond to confirm the receipt of your request. If you have already enrolled your child, that is all you have to do. If you have not already enrolled your child, please pick up an enrollment packet as soon as possible at the district office, 1323 Administration Way (behind CVS Drug Store.) When you have completed that packet, return it to the Creekside office. I will be alone in the office until August 12th so please call ahead to be sure I am there to meet you.
At this time I am planning to open only one two-year class of twenty students and the class will be filled on a first come, first served basis. If you have any questions, please email me at any time. I will be in the school office starting August 4th.
I am excited about implementing this class and I believe it will be a good thing for our students.