Students gain work experience, sharpen financial skills

Información en español

School will be a full-day affair for all kindergarten students at 20 additional Prince William County Schools this September, doubling the tally of full-day classrooms from one to more than two-thirds of all PWCS kindergartens.

Full-day classes will be launched for the first time at: Coles, Enterprise , King, Lake Ridge, McAuliffe, Montclair, Old Bridge, Pattie/Washington-Reid, Penn, Rockledge, Rosa Parks, Signal Hill, Sudley, and Tyler elementary schools.

Antietam, Ellis, Leesylvania, Swans Creek, Vaughan, and Williams elementary schools, now-offering limited full-day classes, will expand them to all kindergartens at the start of the new school year. The changes are contingent on approval of the proposed School Division budget—including $4 million for full-day kindergarten—by the School Board and Board of County Supervisors. See map of locations below.

“The addition of full-day kindergarten is among the most important things we can do to guarantee the future success of Prince William County youngsters,” said Superintendent Steven Walts. “We’ve accelerated the phase-in so we can have full-day classes for every kindergartener starting in September 2007, a full two years ahead of schedule. Along the way, we’re targeting those students who can benefit the most.”

Studies reveal that higher socio-economic status is associated with better school readiness. By once again bringing full-day programs to schools serving the highest percentage of free or reduced-price lunches—selected schools range between 70% and 14.9%—the second installment of the full-day phase-in will reach children in greatest need of an academic jump start.

Full-day kindergarten students participate in language arts instruction and activities for the majority of their day; this helps students acquire verbal, reading, and writing skills that will be vital for future learning in all subject areas. Full-day kindergarten students also receive daily instruction in math, science, and social studies, along with weekly opportunities to engage in art, music, physical education, and other special learning classes.

“With a full day to learn, kindergarten students will have the instructional time and teacher attention they need to begin their lifelong journey in learning,” said Pam Gauch, associate superintendent for student learning and accountability.

First-time full-day kindergarten teachers will receive special training in research-based strategies for teaching language arts and math to five and six-year-olds with a variety of needs.

Announcement of the plans for new full-day classes comes as parents county-wide prepare for kindergarten registration, April 5 and 19 at their child’s designated schools.

“This is an exciting time for parents and kids,” added Walts. “Adding these full–day classes means special excitement for the staff and School Board, too—what could be better than delivering early on a big promise to the community?”

Schools which will have full day kindergarten added in 2006-07
are indicated in the map below with a red circle.

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