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Kankakee SD 111 outlines districtwide kindergarten transition plan, details Head Start capacity
Summary
At the board meeting, early childhood staff described a districtwide kindergarten transition plan that aligns preschool assessments with kindergarten expectations, cites Head Start and Preschool for All slot counts, and commits to step‑up days, home visits and family engagement to boost school readiness.
Miss Paladir presented the Kankakee School District 111 districtwide kindergarten transition plan at the board meeting, telling trustees the effort is intended to improve early‑learning outcomes and family engagement.
The presentation described the district’s birth‑to‑five early childhood system as comprised of Head Start, Preschool for All (including expansion), a preventive initiative referred to as "First Taste," and district childcare. Miss Paladir said the Head Start component has 383 slots; Preschool for All has 120 slots and an expansion adds 60 more; the preventive initiative serves about 100 families. She said district childcare is part of the system and that the transition work aims to connect those programs to kindergarten classrooms.
“We want every child to get that strong start,” Miss Paladir said, summarizing the rationale for the transition plan and for aligning preschool and kindergarten assessments. She described use of the DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile) in preschool and a kindergarten individual development survey in kindergarten so staff can track learning progress across the two settings.
The plan emphasizes classroom practices that promote oral language, self‑regulation and independence. Miss Paladir described concrete steps already in place: step‑up days that let preschool students visit kindergarten classrooms, parent orientations and workshops, home visits, shared family engagement activities, and intentional feedback cycles for teachers and students.
Board members asked whether the plan includes measurable outcomes; Miss Paladir listed expected results including stronger classroom routines, greater student confidence, improved communication and higher family participation. She said early childhood staff will continue monitoring those measures and aligning professional practices with the district’s kindergarten expectations.
The board did not take action on the presentation; the item was informational. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 27.
