Wallingford panel to look at full-day K

As published in the Record Journal Tuesday June 25, 2013

By Eric Vo
Record-Journal staff
evo@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@ericvoRJ

WALLINGFORD - School Superintendent Salvatore Menzo is putting together a committee of school administrators, teachers, parents and Board of Education members to analyze full-day kindergarten.

“They’ll look at the need versus the want. What is the need for full-day kindergarten versus a want for full-day kindergarten,” Menzo said. “If we could identify and clarify that, the next step would come naturally.”

The nine-member committee will be made up of two K-2 school principals, two K-2 teachers, two board members, two parents and one central office staff member.

Menzo said he is working to fill the seats on the committee. So far, Board of Education members Chet Miller and Michael Votto are the only members. Menzo is hoping to have the group selected by August so meetings can begin in September.

“The role of this group is to gather the information and figure it out and debrief us,” said school board Chairwoman Roxane McKay. The school board will have the final say on the issue.

Discussion of full-day kindergarten in Wallingford isn’t new, but lately more parents have expressed support. One parent created an online petition to get the Board of Education to discuss it.

Miller said he doesn’t have an opinion on all day kindergarten.

“I’ve got an open mind ... My only problems are with space and what it’s going to cost, but let’s see what the real need is and what the benefits are,” Miller said.

Votto said he’s seen firsthand the benefits of all-day kindergarten because St. Aedan-St. Brendan Catholic School, where he is principal, has an all-day program. Votto said he won’t be looking for a full academic day for the students, however, and hopes to review data and studies on how all-day kindergarten affects children.

“Being on the committee will help me with my job as a Board of Education member and listen to parents, who are into it and desire it,” Votto said. “At the same time, I learn if I’m doing the right thing with (St. Aedan-St. Brendan) full-day kindergarten.”

While full-day kindergarten is the group’s main focus, it will also examine other needs for preschool and kindergarten, Menzo said.

“We need to figure out what is the best way to address X and then research all the different possibilities for that particular topic — it might be preschool or all-day kindergarten,” he said. “We have an opportunity to create what’s in the best interest of students.”

After Meriden made the transition to all-day kindergarten this year, and with Southington planning to offer the program in the fall, some Wallingford parents say they’re curious as to why Wallingford has yet to adopt it. But Menzo said just because other school systems in the area and around the state have full-day kindergarten doesn’t mean Wallingford should do the same.

“It should take on its own tone and its own approach based on what (the committee) finds in the initial stages,” he said.

While all-day kindergarten is a part of the equation, Menzo said, “it’s more than all day kindergarten.” The committee must identify why parents want an all-day kindergarten program, he said.