This is not real all-day kindergarten

We received a letter from J.B. Nelson School in Batavia on June 1 informing us in which session of kindergarten our children have been placed. On the bottom of that letter is written:

“Please note that there has been a change in the specials schedule for half-day kindergarten starting this fall. In order to increase the amount of daily minutes that our half-day students will have working with the core curriculum, half-day students will not be leaving the classroom for art, music and physical education. They will have wellness class one time a week with the school social worker.”

In this statement there is no mention that their day has been shortened 15 minutes from the previous year. This statement mentions nothing about budget cuts as a reason as later described by the superintendent. The school tries to make it appear that these changes will benefit our children. Shortening the day and eliminating specials is not a benefit. Forcing kindergarten teachers to teach more in less time will not benefit anyone, especially the students.

This statement also leads parents to believe that all kindergartners will have specials cut equally since Batavia Unit District 101 only offers half-day kindergarten. It fails to mention that if you are enrolled in “morning with after school enrichment,” your specials have been retained. On your website for Batavia Public Schools, it states: “Illinois Public Schools are required to provide a half-day kindergarten program for students. BPS101 only offers a half-day kindergarten program.”

How can a district provide different education to the same students from the same grade? They are all half-day kindergartners Some parents have chosen to pay for their children to stay after their morning half-day kindergarten class is over to “practice and reinforce skills taught in kindergarten.” This paid program is called the “After School Enrichment Program.” It is not full day kindergarten.

Chris Hunecke

Batavia