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Curriculum Director Debbie Mears, who is in charge of the All-Day Kindergarten Planning Committee, said the search for teachers is underway.
“We have posted for kindergarten positions for people to apply for and we have a kindergarten committee that is meeting monthly,” she said. “At our last meeting we divided into sub-committees that are going to work on different areas that we need to have ready by the time school starts.”
Curriculum development, communications, along with facilities and staffing will be some of the key areas committee members will be dealing with in the coming months.
“We are going to continue to use the curriculum that we have, but we are going to talk about ‘how does that look in an all-day situation. How can we enrich that or make it even better?’” Mears explained. “There are a lot of benefits to having an all-day kindergarten. First, it’s academics. Teachers will have one class instead of two and will be able to focus on these 20 kids not 40.”
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She said the program will employ 31 teachers altogether and the district has posted for 14 positions that need to be filled. She estimated that the enrollment will be 500 students, but with registration happening this week, that number could change.
“That is a ballpark figure for enrollment and could grow or be slightly less depending on how enrollment goes,” Mears. said.
Enrollment will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 22, and from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 25, at the D.L. Barnes Building, 3750 Far Hills Avenue.
Mears said the program’s initial launch this year has produced excitement in the district, as well as, an opportunity to provide a larger service to the community.
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“We can add some things with the all-day program like social and emotional components - how do they play, how do they get along?” she said. “We can use this to help make a well-rounded student. This is what the Kettering community wanted and we are listening to our community. We are excited and look forward to being able to get these kids started on their learning journey.”
Kettering has remained stable on state test performance, ranking 12th of 44 local districts each of the past three years, and earning a “B” in student growth each year.
Superintendent Scott Inskeep said Kettering has been able to hire better teachers than some districts, in part because of solid pay.
The levy passed in November will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $209 annually and will raise $7.5 million per year for a district with a $94 million annual budget.
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Kettering City Schools enrollment for All-Day Kindergarten for the 2019-20 School Year:
February 20 and 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
February 21 and 25, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
D.L. Barnes Building
3750 Far Hills Avenue
Parents/Guardians are asked to register their child online at www.ketteringschools.org prior to registration.
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