Looking for Opinions on Keller Taking Some Schools to Full Day Kindergarten.

My daughter will be attending one of the campuses that will remain half-day kinder and I am okay with that. I understand that I am probably in the minority with my opinion, but I am fortunate enough to have the luxury of staying home with my children so I'm excited to have a little extra time with her each day. If it's really important to you that she attends full-day kinder I would look into applying for a campus transfer. Good luck!

I too agree with Kindergarden going a full day - how much can they really learn in only a few hours? Not only academically but socially as well. I'm glad they are making the switch.

There has been another post regarding this same today in the last day and I posted a response on that request also. I am also quite irritated with this decision and my youngest is currently in Kindergarten, so I wouldn't benefit from full day. However, I have sent a email to all board members + and have heard from three people related to it. Two were somewhat blowing smoke and the other board member expressed concern about the decision. I know there has been a lot of disagreement with this decision (along with giving Dr. V a raise this year) and I think if they had decided to do just a few schools this year and the remaining next year, it would have been better received.

I have also heard, however, that they are not allowing transfers from those schools that don't offer full day to those that do. This could be another completely explosive issue. I think this decision needs to be reconsidered but am afraid that as parents/taxpayers that we don't have many choices, which is very frustrating itself.

You are one of the lucky ones that get to stay home with your kids. As a WFTM, I'm really excited about Kindergarten going full day and can't wait for my kid to turn 5. Kids are like sponges at this age and most of the time they learn while having fun. The more they learn at this age the better. I completely agree with going full day.

My oldest daughter was turning 5 the year that Lewisville ISD went to full day kindergarten. And yes, it was the talk of the playground for months. Many moms felt strongly one way or the other, and others didn't know what to think. Personally, I kept my kids in private KG (mostly because I was afraid that during the first year there would be some issues at LISD with the changes and growth - they had to hire 80 new teachers district-wide to accommodate the new system, along with shifting other teachers around in grade levels). And I have a number of friends who opted to go with the new LISD full-day system. Bottom line is this... My kids are now in 4th & 2nd grades and I haven't noticed any difference between the kids who went to full-day KG and the kids who went to part time. Some, like my 4th grader, have excelled in everything, and others like my 2nd grader have to work very hard to get good grades. And that probably would have been the case whether they went to full-day KG or not.
In terms of talking to someone at your district, I would check with your local school, and see if they have suggestions of someone at district level.
Good Luck!
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We have three Keller ISD elementary schools in our neighborhood - two will be going full-day kinder, the third won't. My daughter will attend the third, and I am TICKED! I'm looking into transfering for her kindergarten year, but don't have high hopes. If you approach the district let me know, I'll sign on!

I am thrilled with the change, my son will be in full day kinder in august and I think its great! My daughter is in first grade now and I know she would be in a better position if she had gone to full day kinder, 3 hours a day is just not enough for them, these days kids are growing up faster and need more structure. I felt they should have had full day kinder from the begenning and I actually called the keller district when I moved here from CA but they really couldnt do much about it, all they said was they understood however there was no full time kinder at that time. Not sure how you could change things. When they started this whole process, I called the district again and asked if my elementary didnt go full time if I could send my son to one who would in the district and was told a firm no. good luck.

Well I hadn't heard this. It seems like they would be obligated to offer full time to any parent who requested it if it is going to be offered to some students, even if that means a transfer. My son is in K this year at Northwest ISD and it is full time and I love it. I once spoke to a K teacher in Keller and she said its very stressful for the kids since they are supposed to learn as much as other districts in half the time, which leaves out any "fun" time for them, such as recess and games. The whole time is spent learning. Definitely voice your concern! Perhaps ask for the curriculum department at the administration building. Let us know how it goes!

I am in the same situation. My son is five and is slated to attend half day kindergarden in Keller ISD this fall. I have contacted all seven of the school board members and have heard back from four of them. I had quite a lengthy discussion with one. Their email addresses are available on the KISD website. I'd start there to let them know how you feel. If you'd like to see the emails I have received, I'll be happy to forward them to you. I also contacted the television stations. So far, only Channel 11 has done a story as far as I know. You can see it at: http://cbs11tv.com/business/education/keller.half.day.2.9... You can watch the video by clicking on the right. I've emailed the superintendent. No answer. I understand that the board only has to answer to the taxpayers. However, I started contacting representatives anyway. No answer so far from Pat Hardy, my State Board of Education Representative. Vicki Truitt is my Texas State Rep. Her office was very kind and asked me to forward my concerns in an email. They are going to see that she is able to take a look at it before the next board meeting on March 12th. No answer from Jane Nelson, TX State Senator. US Rep Michael Burgess and US Senator John Cornyn were no help at all. I haven't contacted Kay Bailey Hutchison yet. I have learned that the next school board meeting is on Thursday, March 12th at 6:30. Any citizen can speak for five minutes if they sign up between 6:15 and 6:30. I got a copy of the report the board used to make the decision on which campuses would go full day or not. There was no financial information included as to how much it would cost to use portables until the permanent construction of the multi purpose facility. I am looking for a way to get a group formed to try and fight this. If you would like your name added, please email me at ____@____.com.