Board hears positive early report on junior kindergarten at Buchanan K–1 Center
Summary
Huron School District 02-2 staff told the board junior kindergarten sections (18 students each) are showing early academic and social-emotional gains, with social stories and play-based activities supporting readiness for kindergarten.
Heather DeBoer, principal of the Buchanan K–1 Center, told the Huron School District 02-2 Board of Education on Nov. 24 that the district’s junior kindergarten program is off to a strong start with two full sections of 18 students each. She said teachers are seeing “noticeable growth in their early learning skills” and families have provided positive feedback.
Teacher Carol Westby described a typical day in the program: “We just start out our morning usually with morning meeting, where we have sharing time … then we go to specials and have a snack,” and later include reading, math and playtime. Westby said the program emphasizes social routines and one letter per week in reading, while math focuses on numbers to 10, patterns and measurement.
School counselor Lacey Guy said she visits each junior kindergarten class weekly and uses social stories to teach social skills. “Social stories … take you through what might happen, who will be there, how people might act, and how someone might feel,” she said, adding that the approach helps children navigate routines and build empathy.
Teachers also described play-based activities and targeted motor-skill exercises — such as cross-pattern walking and heel-toe walking — intended to boost fine and gross motor control that supports classroom learning. Staff said those activities, together with the classroom curriculum and family engagement, are helping students be better prepared for kindergarten.
Board members praised the program’s early results, noting enthusiasm and community interest. No formal action was taken; the report will continue to be monitored and brought back for future updates.
