September 2010 will see approximately 300 Bluewater District Junior and Senior Kindergarten students eligible to participate in the Extended Day component of the Early Learning program put in motion by Ontario's McGuinty government.
The "Extended Day" term actually means that four and five year old children will be able to attend kindergarten classes five full days per week, as opposed to the current full day every other day programming available.
All school boards in Ontario submitted a list of schools for consideration in the program in 2009, in order to prepare for the phasing in of the plan. It will take until the 2015-2016 school year before all Ontario schools have adopted the full day schedule.
In a media release dated January 12, the Bluewater District School Board outlined how schools were selected: “The criteria for participation in phase one of the Extended Day component of the Early Learning program included available space, impact on local childcare and local need for the program.”
At this point no schools in Meaford have been selected to participate and will continue with the scheduling that has been used in recent years.
“S.V.E. is not involved for the 2010-2011 school year,” confirmed St. Vincent Euphrasia Elementary School Principal Oscar Burnside in a telephone interview Wednesday. He also indicated that careful consideration is being given in planning all aspects of the Early Learning program.
Elementary schools in Owen Sound, Tara, Markdale, Desboro, Kincardine, Southampton, Lucknow, and Mildmay have been selected for participation in the coming year.
Board officials are optimistic about the program, considering it a beneficial opportunity for children who will thrive in a full day school environment in early childhood.
“Full-day learning for four and five year olds is part of the province’s plan to build a well-educated workforce by preparing them for school and for life. Teachers and early childhood educators will work together to help children learn during the regular school day. Schools will also offer programs before and after regular schools hours, led by early childhood educators. Participation is optional, but it’s expected that 35 thousand students across the province will be enrolled in full day kindergarten next year.” states the Board's media release.
