1. RESTRUCTURING SCHOOLS (PK-3 SUBCOMMITTEE)
Jen Brenner MAIDA COTE TRICIA CUNDARI Ronnie Dougherty Lauren Filipek Deborah freeman Julie Howson Donna Jaworowicz janaina lasota randee mandelbaum

2. And ……. Erin Marx Loretta Miller Michelle Mirabello Liz O'Connell Rhonda Palatiello Meghan reistrom Maria scanniello Rachel leibner

3. Historical Background
Five-Year Preschool Plan approved in 2008
Funding never followed
Freehold Borough adopted “Tools of the Mind” Curriculum
Full-day Preschool Program was implemented in 2008

4. Historical background
Preschool program cut back to half-day in 2011 due to lack of funding
Waiting list existed when full-day program was operational
No waiting list for half-day program
We are reaching less 3 & 4 year olds
Our universe is close to 300 students

5. Achievement gap
Academic achievement gap begins before students enroll in Kindergarten
Need other ways to replace lack of full-day preschool for our universe
District cannot continue to wait for full preschool funding
Other programs can be implemented to close the achievement gap during early childhood

6. Strategic planning Early Childhood Subcommittee
Input from teachers and parents
Visits to school districts
New Common Core Standards
No re-teaching
Develop criteria for Developmental Kindergarten & Transitional First Grade programs

7. Provides additional time to develop: Fine motor skills
Developmental kindergarten “Springboard to Success” or “Starting Behind – Staying Behind”
Provides additional time to develop:
Fine motor skills
Cognitive skills
Social skills
Build background knowledge
Build vocabulary
Transitional kindergarten gives a tremendous opportunity to increase kindergarten readiness by laying the foundation for reading proficiency and better preparing our students to be successful.

8. Developmental Kindergarten – Who attends?
Students with no preschool experience
Students who lack the skills necessary to be successful in the academic expectations of the kindergarten curriculum.
Students who lack the social and emotional maturity needed to be successful in kindergarten.

9. Transitional First Grade (T-1)
This program is intended to target students who have completed a kindergarten program, but based on a variety of data, would benefit from an additional year of language development/literacy instruction and academic skill building prior to entering first grade.
Upon completion of T-1, students will be placed into a first grade classroom

10. The Process
Formed a committee composed of teachers, administrators and parents
T-1 was the major focus of our committee
Visited schools with T-1classes
Developed a criteria and survey for teachers

11. The Plan
Teachers will (did) identify students using the criteria survey
Informational meeting for parents(held)
Professional opportunities for curriculum development for teachers over the summer
Teacher was hired.

12. Progress Update Developed criteria and survey
Met with Kindergarten and First Grade Staff
Survey will be distributed to Kindergarten teachers after recess
A committee of Kindergarten teacher , Grade 1 teacher, Principal and District Administrator will evaluate data and portfolio of each T1 candidate and make final recommendations
Letter will be sent to parents/guardians
An information night will be held