Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Board of Trustees votes to increase early learning opportunities for students
At its regularly scheduled public board meeting last night, the Board of Trustees approved funding for full day kindergarten at 25 district schools, up from 18 last year. The district has not received additional funding for this increase.
"The Premier and Minister of Education have made early learning a priority for education," explains Board Chair Bev Esslinger. "Because we recognize the value of early learning initiatives, the district has realigned existing dollars to fund full day Kindergarten in seven additional schools."
This change means that 25 of the district's highest needs schools will offer full day Kindergarten to approximately 616 students for the 2007-08 school year at a cost of approximately $1.22 million.
it does further extend the responsibility of school districts beyond their mandate to provide education for Grades 1-12. Research clearly demonstrates the positive effects early learning opportunities like full day Kindergarten have on students, particularly those who are at risk of not succeeding in school.
"The government has put a priority on early learning and we're hopeful that they will provide additional funding to school districts to address this priority," says Chair Esslinger. "In the meantime, we're using our existing budget dollars to increase early learning opportunities for students because it's the right thing to do. By providing children with these opportunities in their early years, we can reduce the need for intervention strategies later. This decision represents an investment in children's futures."
The 25 schools funded for full day Kindergarten in the 2007-08 school year are:
| Abbott | *Homesteader | Rundle |
| *Athlone | *Horse Hill | Sherwood |
| Balwin | Inglewood | Sifton |
| *Belmead | John A. MacDougall | Spruce Avenue |
| Belvedere | Lawton/R.J. Scott | *Youngstown |
| *Brightview | McCauley | |
| Delton | *Montrose | |
| Eastwood | Norwood | |
| Evansdale | Parkdale | |
| Glendale | Prince Charles | * new for 2007-08 |
Edmonton Public Schools is the second largest school district in Alberta and the fifth largest public school district in Canada with 199 schools, 80,200 students and more than 7,000 employees.
Contact:
Jane Farrell 429-8290 or 970-4356 (cell)
Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community.
Edmonton Public Schools
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9