Forest Hills Public Schools presented an instructional highlight on Jan. 12 showcasing its junior kindergarten (JK) program, which district leaders and classroom teachers described as an additional, developmentally focused year designed to give younger children more time for social-emotional, fine-motor and early-literacy development.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Scott Hagen said the JK year "allows for that gift of time" and emphasized the program’s emphasis on purposeful play, whole-child development and project-based learning. Jim Haney Turk, director of elementary instructional services, described changes to the district’s screening process—moving to a centralized screening team and returning screening paperwork the same day—to help with classroom placement and family convenience.

Teachers who presented to the board gave examples of daily routines and instruction. Kathy O’Tayan described a day that begins with "Connect to Launch," includes a community gathering and two structured learning sessions broken into six learning centers, and ends with a reflective "peace out" period. Kim Fowler said a 15-minute block called "Word Wonders" provides explicit, foundational literacy instruction through letter-sound work, games and movement. Kim Muncy highlighted "move it" sessions that teach gross-motor and multi-step listening skills, and Beth Ewing cited social-emotional and confidence gains observed in the classroom.

Teachers and leaders said the JK program uses an eight-unit, 20-day structure (examples included a "farm to table" unit) and integrates academic skills into project-based activities. The meeting record shows the district reported about 171 students participated last year and said other districts have contacted Forest Hills about the program. Presenters also noted professional learning and coaching supports for teachers, and invited board members to visit classrooms to see JK instruction firsthand.

The district said it will collect kindergarten-readiness feedback next year to compare students who attended JK with those who entered kindergarten directly, and will solicit community input to refine the program.

The presentation closed with board members praising the program and the many staff involved in launching and running it. The board moved on to consent and other agenda items after the instructional highlight.