Comments on: AAPS Kindergarten: All Kids, All Day in ’12-13

By: klatte

klatte — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:02 +0000

I’d like to hear more about how this might impact the district taking kids from out-of-district. For the past couple of years kindergarten has been an entry point for out-of-district students. Will the predicted influx of in-district students be an issue? When will we know?

By: Jessica Anderson

Jessica Anderson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:51:11 +0000

I’m not sure Mr. Allan was clear about the HR implications of the switch. There is indeed a concern about Rec&Ed staff, including the EDO TAs and K Care workers, losing jobs. The teachers who teach EDO are regular full-time Ann Arbor teachers already, teaching a program which is funded by Rec&Ed. Their jobs will still be to teach all day, in this case, All Day K instead of K EDO. There are some kindergarten teachers who teach a half day only. I’d be interested to hear who options will be open to these half time employees. Will job-sharing be a possibility? Will they have to go full time? Are there other half-time positions they might move into?

By: liberalNIMBY

liberalNIMBY — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:41:04 +0000

Great reporting and article. I applaud the move to full-day.

Amid the celebration, I can’t help but wonder: Considering the research has been “consistent” about the benefits of full days, what took so long? It appears the threat of losing state funds was the kick in the pants, not our purported progressive culture or affinity for best practices.

I find that board members (of many organizations) fail to consider the real financial and social costs of delaying implementation of critical policies such as this. How many families were pushed over the edge financially because of after-school child care costs in the meantime? How many single mothers prevented from working a decent job? How many students’ advancement slowed?

I understand the realities of effecting change in a large organization. However, like many others, I would have expected AAPS to be quicker on the draw here. I wonder what they think?

By: Christine Stead

Christine Stead — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:12:55 +0000

I fully concur with Glenn’s comments. Thank you so much for your commiment, Jennifer! This is a very important message to get out to our community, especially those families that will have kindergartners next year!
Christine Stead

By: Glenn Nelson

Glenn Nelson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:47:06 +0000

Thank you, Jennifer and Ann Arbor Chronicle, for getting this story out to the public so quickly. The option of all-day kindergarten is very important to many parents. They and I appreciate your role in helping to inform the public. Reporters who go to a school board meeting on a beautiful Saturday afternoon are special!
Glenn Nelson