Thanks to state funding supplied to the school district, Westmont Hilltop will begin offering full-day kindergarten next school year.
The district recently learned it had received a 127 percent increase in its Title I funding, which periodically is re-evaluated and based on poverty levels within a district. That was coupled with an Accountability Block Grant that sets specific guidelines on how the money can be used.
“We are now able to offer full-day kindergarten to the kids without any impact to the budget or cost to the district, so this is a cause for celebration,” school Superintendent Susan Anderson said.
Anderson said the state Department of Education recommends full-day kindergarten because programs in reading, mathematics and science are written for full-day classrooms.
“This has been a goal of ours for years, but we just didn’t have the funding in place,” she said.
Ideally, Anderson said the district would have liked some time to prepare and notify parents of the changeover, but funding rules say the money can’t be saved.
“It was late-breaking news to us, but we are extremely grateful,” she said.
There will be five full-day kindergarten classrooms, with the current half-day programs being eliminated. Through Title I, two more teachers will be hired.
Another advantage to moving to full-day kindergarten is the district will save around $50,000 by not having to run extra buses in the afternoon.
“That money will be used for supplies to set up the classrooms,” Anderson said.
A school newsletter detailing the full-day kindergarten will be sent out to parents within the next few days, and Anderson said anyone who has questions should contact the elementary school office: 255-8707.
Local News
Westmont to offer full-day kindergarten
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
