Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Upper Dublin SD presenter outlines new three-week kindergarten readiness program focused on social-emotional skills
Summary
A district presenter described a new, locally funded three-week summer kindergarten readiness program that would prioritize self-regulation and social-emotional learning, recommend hiring three teachers and three educational assistants, and enroll about 30 at-risk incoming kindergartners; the committee voted to refer the proposal to the legislative agenda.
A district presenter told the Upper Dublin SD education committee the district is proposing a new, three-week summer kindergarten readiness program that will emphasize self-regulation and social-emotional learning through structured games and routines.
The presenter said the initiative “is not just making sure students have been exposed to numbers and letters prior to coming in,” but instead will let children practice waiting, taking turns, following directions, regulating emotions and problem solving to reduce first-day anxiety and ease transition to school. The program will coincide with the district’s extended school-year schedule and run Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon.
The presenter recommended creating three teacher positions and three educational-assistant positions and said the plan anticipates identifying and inviting roughly 30 incoming kindergartners most at risk. “We believe we can amply staff three classrooms with a teacher and EA and serve 10 students in each classroom,” the presenter said when asked about capacity.
Committee member Dr. Berto asked how children would be identified for participation; the presenter said the district’s kindergarten screening tool, referenced in earlier presentations, will supply the selection information. Another committee member, Mr. Ennen, suggested incorporating occupational therapy to support fine motor and self-care skills; the presenter said an OT and a PT are already on the program’s planning committee.
The presenter also described a partnership to allow participants to use the school breakfast and cafeteria as part of the orientation to school routines and mentioned possible volunteer support from high-school students enrolled in child-development courses.
When the chair asked whether the committee was ready to move the proposal forward, members agreed to refer the item to the legislative agenda for further consideration. The presenter added the program is being planned in the teaching-and-learning budget for “2627” and described it as locally funded.
The referral means the proposal will be reviewed by the district’s legislative body in a later session before any positions are created or funding finalized.
