SAD 68 sees length of days among kindergarten options

DOVER-FOXCROFT — There could be many advantages to changing the half-day kindergarten sessions in Dover-Foxcroft into full-day, every-other-day sessions.

This is one of the options that SAD 68 directors will consider when they meet next Wednesday at SeDoMoCha Middle School.

Superintendent Ann Bridge presented directors with an initial review of the pros and cons of such a change on Thursday, based on conversations by administrators and teachers with school officials in Whitefield and Windsor elementary schools, where such a procedure is in place.

Advantages include no longer splitting the town into morning and afternoon sessions. Parents found that day care was easier to schedule on a full-day basis, Bridge said.

As well as the obvious savings in noon transportation costs, Bridge said the change would provide more time for special projects, field trips and special needs.

Pupils learn to work for longer periods of time, and their readiness at the first-grade level is enhanced, she said. She said pupils appear calmer in class and are not tired.

Bridge said that in every conversation with the Whitefield and Windsor professionals, comment on any disadvantages this schedule created was encouraged, but none could list any.

One teacher commented that she believed it was a disadvantage not to have the pupils all day, every day.

“Taking into consideration all the information gathered, I strongly recommend a change to the Morton Avenue kindergarten schedule next year. It is obvious that money can be saved and learning enhanced,” Bridge said.