The Hermiston School District will begin implementing full-day kindergarten pilot programs at each of its five elementary schools next fall.
The pilot programs come a full year head of the 2015-16 statewide implementation of full-day kindergarten. The Hermiston School Board approved budget planning parameters for the 2014-15 school year. Those parameters include planning for full-day kindergarten, including necessary resourcing for initial offerings at each of the elementary schools.
“We are extremely excited to beginning initial planning for a full-day kindergarten pilot at each of our five elementary schools this fall,” said Hermiston School Superintendent Dr. Fred Maiocco. “Following this limited implementation, we hope to offer all of our kindergarten students a comprehensive, full-day kindergarten program in the fall of 2015.”
The district will begin identifying a task force to begin implementation planning. Deputy Superintendent Wade Smith, Assistant Superintendent Bryn Browning, and Rocky Heights principal BJ Wilson will lead the task force in its work this spring. The team will review the research associated with full-day kindergarten, best practices in structure and instructional programming, and make recommendation as to student selection and assignment to the program. The team will consult with various stakeholder groups, including staff and community groups prior finalizing their recommendations. Their report and initial recommendations will be provided to the superintendent by May 30 of this year and form the basis for program implementation in the fall of 2014.
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