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A Strong Start for Young Learners. DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTEN ACADEMY. Tess Johnson, Coordinator Special Projects, Dublin USD Dr. McCarty, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Developmental Kindergarten Academy Information Night Agenda Welcome and Introductions
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A Strong Start for Young Learners DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTENACADEMY Tess Johnson, Coordinator Special Projects, Dublin USD Dr. McCarty, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
Developmental Kindergarten Academy Information Night Agenda Welcome and Introductions What is Developmental Kindergarten? Question and Answer
Legislation Passed SB 1381 What did the legislation do? • The Readiness Act of 2010 changed kindergarten enrollment dates over three years from December 2nd to September 1st • Created a two year Kindergarten for students with Sept. – Dec. birthdays (Developmental Kindergarten)
“Today’s kindergarten classroom is a much different place than most of us experienced. We’re placing real academic demands on our kids, and the youngest are struggling to keep up. The evidence shows that giving these younger kindergarteners an extra year can make a big difference in their long-term success.”
College and Career Readiness Upon completion of K-12 DUSD education, students will be able to choose any post-secondary educational/training institution, work place, or armed services branch. Students will possess the confidence and skills necessary to be productive citizens in a global economy. Academic Knowledge Adaptability/Flexibility Collaborative Communication Metacognition Character Development Career Exploration Technology
Developmental Kindergarten Academy (DKA) • Giving your child the gift of time • Grade Progression • DKA K First • Return to home school for Kindergarten
Benefits • Research shows that beginning kindergarten at an older age: • improves social, emotional and academic development • boosts test scores • increases the likelihood of entering college and earning higher wages • Free • Participation in Developmental Kindergarten may reduce rates of grade retention and • special education placement.
The Foundations • Social and Emotional Development • Self Awareness, Social Interactions, Relationships and Self Regulation • Language and Literacy • Listening and Speaking, Reading and Writing Readiness • Mathematics • Number Sense, Classification and Patterning, Measurement, Geometry, Math Reasoning
Meet Aiden Thomas Born November 13, 2005(Left: First Day 8/24/2010) (Right: Picture Day 9/14/2010
Developmental Kindergarten Academy • The school day will be the same as the traditional kindergarten. • The DKA class will be taught by credentialed teachers who understand child development and the articulation of skills for success.
Use the Kindergarten playground Have music, art, computer time, library, and P.E. activities Participate in school events (assemblies, carnival, family fun nights) On-site child care by EDCC, may be available Before and after school. . An example of what DKA students will have:
How is DKA different from Kindergarten? • A Bridge from Pre-School to Kindergarten • Does not replace Kindergarten • Better prepares students for Kindergarten program • Age and Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum • Use of Pre-School Foundations AND Kindergarten Standards • Parent Involvement is encouraged
Developmental Kindergarten Academy Curriculum Developmental Kindergarten Academy is A Bridge from Pre-School to Kindergarten Teacher Presentation
The curriculum includes experiences in…. Self Regulation: DKA Program - Social and Emotional Readiness - Self-Regulation Skills - Social Understanding and Awareness - Initiative in Learning - Perseverance in Problem Solving
The curriculum includes experiences in…. Language Arts: - Children see themselves as readers and writers - Story Awareness, Language Awareness, Print Concepts, using their names • Oral Storytelling, Telling stories through drawing • Writing experiences
The curriculum includes experiences in…. Mathematics Hands-On Exploration with Math - Number Sense - Quantity - Patterning - Comparisons - Mathematical Reasoning
The curriculum includes experiences in…. Large Motor Development Physical Education Playground Learning Through Movement Small Motor Development Handwriting Scissor Skills Art – in a variety of Media Science and Social Studies Integrated through Language Arts
Next Steps • Parent Written Agreement regarding grade progression • DKA parent consent form due to home school office by May 23 • All parents will be notified of 2012-13 placement no later than June 1st • Questions?
Thank you for coming! Contact Information: Tess Johnson johnsontess@dublinusd.org Judi Fall Assistant to Ed Services falljudi@dublinusd.org Please put DPride in the subject line of all email correspondence.