Brookside transitional kindergarten extending to full day next year
Pre-enrollment is currently open at Brookside Elementary School for the 2023/2024 school year. One big change coming up next year is that transitional kindergarten (TK) will be a full day class, from 8:10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
In the past, including the current year, TK has been a half day class with students getting out at 11:30 a.m. The new schedule will extend the day for the school’s youngest students and they will be in class the same time as the rest of the student population. Children are eligible to pre-enroll for TK if they will turn 5 years old between Sept. 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024.
Children benefit from attending TK in multiple ways. They build social and self-regulation skills needed for school and life. TK students also learn preliteracy, pre-math and other cognitive skills. Children who attend TK are better prepared for academic success in kindergarten.
TK teachers Cyndi Pfingtson and Kari Rescina stated that TK helps the student develop fine motor skills which are needed before they begin writing. Additionally, TK gives students an opportunity to develop friendship and social skills. Students learn how to be a student like listening, following directions, taking turns, cooperating with teachers and classmates and participating in whole group and small group activities. Children attending TK have opportunities to develop fundamental math and English Language Arts skills through daily handson activities. Children have free choice playtime every day. Children who attend TK are better prepared for kindergarten.
Parent Bonnie Hinton said of her son attending TK, “When my son went to TK, he learned all of his letters, all of his sounds and all of his numbers. He knew words and could read by the time he got to kindergarten. By the time he graduated kindergarten, he was reading at a level 11 when kindergarteners only need to read level 5.” Hinton’s son remains a strong reader. He is currently in fourth grade and reading at a high school level. She attributes her son’s academic success, in part, to attending TK at Brookside Elementary.
A current immunization record and birth certificate are necessary to complete enrollment. Pre-enrollment is available at www.willitsunifed.com. Call Brookside Elementary with any questions at (707) 459-5385.