Posted on February 29, 2008

Regarding full-day kindergarten, since Shatekon was opened, didn't that free up enough room to offer it?

No. The opening of Shatekon allowed the other 7 elementary buildings to return to their normal capacity. Prior to the opening of Shatekon, some of our schools were 100-200 students above the capacity of the building.

Posted on February 20, 2008

Why doesn't Shenendehowa have full day kindergarten?

At this point, the district has discussed full-day kindergarten but we simply do not have the space. We would need approximately 18-20 additional classrooms to accommodate a full-day program. Most schools who have implemented it are experiencing enrollment decline. That is not the case here.

Posted on February 4, 2008

I heard that Shen no longer has the land to build another elementary school. This is creating problems, especially with the start of full day kindergarten. Is Shen going to have full day kindergarten before 2010 when the state mandates it?

Point 1: The Shenendehowa campus is at capacity. The district is in the process of looking at possibilities for acquiring land in Halfmoon to accommodate future growth projected particularly in the eastern part of the district.

Point 2: The state is not mandating full-day kindergarten by 2010. At this point, it is a proposal from the Board of Regents but it would still require legislative approval.

Point 3: At this point, the district has discussed full-day kindergarten but we simply do not have the space. We would need approximately 18-20 additional classrooms to accommodate a full-day program. Most schools who have implemented it are experiencing enrollment decline. That is not the case here.

Posted on February 4, 2008

If Shen cannot accommodate full-day kindergarten, what will they do when all the 1/2 day children go to full day for first grade?

First grade is already full day. Each elementary school capacity is based on approximately 2-3 classrooms for kindergarten and 4-6 classrooms for grades 1-5.