Northland Pines school district board of education approved last Monday expanding the 4K program to four days per week district wide from Monday through Thursday with Friday off.
Many of the reasons for this change beginning in the 2020-21 school year are for equality across the district, consistency for students, parent interest, closing the achievement gap early, research supports it, and it brings high quality programming that supports social, emotional, and academic needs of young students.
Students will have the option of attending half days but busing will not be provided home for half day students. Families can change to full days at the start of each trimester.
Currently Land O' Lakes elementary has four days with Wednesday off; they will mirror the other elementary schools with Friday off in 2020-21. A survey of all current 4K families to gain insight on their thoughts had 44 responses.
The majority, 59%, prefer four days with five days per week second and two days last.
Pines is tied with Rhinelander and Medford for having the least amount of time with 4K students at two days per week. Many districts have half days five days per week and some do five full days per week.
Staff point out this will increase academic performance and build social and emotional learning. UW- Madison research found students in quality 4K programming showed significantly higher literacy and math scores going into Kindergarten that those that did not attend 4K.
Increased annual cost projections ranged from $128,000 for 1.5 FTE's to $327,000 for 2.5 FTE's and two paraprofessionals and would mainly impact St. Germain and Eagle River elementary. It was felt it would be money well spent.
