Full-day K gets mostly good review by South Putnam teachers

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The South Putnam School Board heard testimony from kindergarten teachers regarding the inaugural year of all-day kindergarten classes.

The state of Indiana has given school corporations a three-year, phase-in time for all-day kindergarten before mandating it. Not all schools have decided to participate though.

Carmen Cash, Fillmore Elementary teacher commented, "As a kindergarten teacher in Indiana, our standards are just so high. Full-time classes gives me time to get through everything."

The success of the program will not be known until the children get into first grade though.

Tammy York, Central Elementary kindergarten teacher said, "We're not trying to shove first-grade curriculum down their throats. It is just nice to be able to finish a whole math book."

Sandy Risler, Reelsville Elementary kindergarten teacher added, "Kids are already reading, writing and doing math. It is also important that kids are getting more social interaction."

At this time, there is no positive report on the children having less behavioral troubles though. All the teachers present said that they have been having problems with supplies.

"We are out of glue sticks already," Cash said. "Parent have been very understanding and this is a learning process for us as well. Next year we will know what to ask for."

Meanwhile, the board also approved a motion to advertise for a temporary loan of $2.9 million. The purpose of the loan is to keep the school corporation out of the red at the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

Once they receive the money from the tax draw, they immediately repay the loan, Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt was quick to point out.

The bid recommendation will be heard and approved at the May meeting.

In other business:

* The second reading and adoption phase of the new ESCRFT policies is complete.

Those seven policies concern such things as running background checks on employees and sexual harassment procedures for both students and faculty.

This will be available at the administration building.

* The high school will have new textbooks in the language arts and world language fields next year.

* The student handbook for the high school was approved.

* They are still looking for a Boys Varsity Swim Coach.

* Bruce Bernhardt spoke briefly about the mock emergency disaster held at SPHS Monday. "It was intense when it first started because I'd never seen anything like this before," Bernhardt said.

The South Putnam School Board meets regularly in the Central Elementary Music Room on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be hosted on May 19.

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  • "At this time, there is no positive report on the children having less behavioral troubles though."'

    I sure am glad these people didn't teach MY children the english language!

    -- Posted by '74tiger on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, at 8:36 PM
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