Having already implemented a full-day kindergarten program, per extensive research supporting the benefits it could provide, the Palisades School District is now seeking a sufficient level of interest from its community to allow for the establishment of a free pre-kindergarten (pre-K) program for the 2023-2024 school year.
In a March 3 email to the community, Communications Director Donna Holmes provided a link to a survey designed to determine if there are a minimum of 10 children required to run a pre-K program through a grant from the state.
“We are currently in the process of working with our partners — United Way, and Life Span School and Daycare — to submit a grant application if we find the need,” she said. “The program would be open to families with children ages 3 or 4, as of 8/31/23, with an income level less than $90,000 for a family of four.”
She added the program would likely run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and require families to transport their child/ren to and fro. It would be held at one of the district’s three elementary schools, to be selected based on the location of interested families.
For further information, she offered her own contact, via dholmes@palisd.org, and Marie Collie, principal at Durham Nockamixon Elementary School, via mcollie@palisd.org. The survey may be accessed via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HL72SVL.
The district established its full-day kindergarten program starting with the 2017-2018 school year, after previously only offering a half-day version.
“During the initial offering, we did have a limited number of students who wished to attend for only a partial day,” Holmes recalled in an email. “Quickly, our program became full day only.”
“It includes developmentally appropriate instruction, as well as constructive play and peer interaction,” she added. “It also includes engagement in math, language arts, writing, science, social studies, and “specials” such as music, technology, World Language, and physical education.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
