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Officials: kindergarten suspensions up; staff cite social-emotional and transition challenges
Summary
District administrators reported rising kindergarten suspensions and described steps to address behavior, including added classrooms, more teacher assistants and a new SEL specials class at Northview; staff said many incoming children lack self-regulation.
Superintendent Dr. Woods and elementary administrators presented enrollment, staffing and discipline data for kindergarten classes at Pleasant Acres and Northview, showing an increase in suspensions compared with last year.
Administrators described the district's play-based kindergarten curriculum and said some children struggle with transitions, sharing and using words instead of physical aggression. "The students coming into kindergarten seem to not know how to self-regulate; they don't know or have the social emotional skills," kindergarten teacher Kerry Hanson said, citing her experience.
Panelists said the district has added a classroom and additional teacher assistant positions and implemented a new SEL specials class at Northview. Northview Principal Kelly Mahoney said those steps have helped, but staffing shortages and high call-ins continue to strain daily operations.
Board members asked about screening and PreK alignment to better prepare children. Dr. Woods said a committee of social workers and staff will begin meetings and observations in February to support readiness for incoming students.
