Full Day Kindergarten Now an Option for Phoenixville Students

Phoenixville parents will have the option of putting their children in full day kindergarten starting in the 2013-14 school year, the Phoenixville Area School District Board of Directors decided at its Thursday meeting.

According to district community relations director Sandra Claus, PASD already has a dedicated building for kindergarten students.

District parents can now opt to enroll their children in the traditional half day kindergarten program, a full day literacy program that will be available to qualifying students, and a full day option that’s comprised of the traditional half day program, plus a new half day enrichment program.

“All of us at the Kindergarten Center work to meet the needs of each and every child in this building.  We are so excited to be able to offer an enrichment program for our families,” said Dr. Margaret Pearsall, Kindergarten Center principal.

In a release sent to several media outlets, Claus added that:

The addition of this program allows other benefits for parents and children.  Any student may be dropped off at 7:30 AM, regardless of which program they select.  Bus transportation will be available for the normal pick up and return times—including the mid-day route for those who choose the ½ day program.  All students can also opt to stay until 4:00 PM, again, regardless of which program they select.  If parents need a day care option beyond the 4:00 PM time, there will be on-site day care available until 6:00 PM for a nominal charge.

Parents of all prospective kindergarten students are invited to a Kindergarten Information Night at the Kindergarten Center on January 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM.  Dr. Pearsall and her staff will share specific details about all of the programs at the kindergarten center, including an opportunity to see the classrooms and meet some of the teachers.  Free babysitting will be provided.

In making the decision, the board said it weighed financial, as well as academic, considerations.