In Monday night’s meeting of the Warsaw School Board, three parents voiced concerns over clear accessibility to half-day kindergarten options. The program, which has been offered every year, only generated enough interest for one section to be offered.

Though the program was explained at the schools’ kindergarten roundup (see related), many parents feel that since the event, communication on whether the program is available or not has not been consistent. April Nelson, a parent who currently has a daughter in the half-day program, addressed the board with questions of how consistent information has been about the program being an option.

“Myself and another parent have started a Facebook page because we feel the word is not getting out,” stated Nelson. “Parents have posted on that page and have specifically said that they have heard from school secretaries that they are not offering this and that there are not enough numbers. It seems like you are saying you are offering it, but how far are you offering this? By telling parents that it will possibly be offered at Claypool or Leesburg, parents have dropped out … If we can just across the board get our ducks in a row [and state] that we are having it as an option and if we have it, it will be at one or two of these schools.”

According to WCS Chief Academic Officer Dave Hoffert, parents have expressed interest for nine students thus far to be accommodated through the half day program. A typical kindergarten class size averages between 18 to 20 students for WCS. Though Hoffert did state the possibility of having a class at the current interest level is still up for discussion, he responded that an ideal class usually accommodates the average.

“Traditionally we have asked our class to have 18 to 20 students. At this point, we are looking for more interest to validate a class,” said Hoffert.

According to WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz, the deadline for parents to express interest in the half day program is set for Wednesday, May 1, to the middle of May. Dr. Hintz also stated that an announcement for the half day program would be featured on the school’s website to help promote consistency and openness.

“We’re open obviously to offering the program,” said Hintz. “We certainly appreciate the feedback that you have given us [on] what kind of message is maybe going out from each of our individual schools. We will offer a half day program if we have the numbers to do it.

“Our kindergarten roundup was back in February to early March and certainly the information is out there that we do offer it. Certainly we want to assure you that we will continue to be in contact with all our buildings to determine if we will have enough children to enroll in the half day program,” Hintz added. “We are looking for a number around 18 to 20 because that is the average size of our other kindergarten classes.”

Hintz continued by addressing parent concerns on where the program would be located. Should enough interest be generated, the school plans to keep the course located in one of the centrally located schools in Warsaw.

Should parents be interested in enlisting their children in the half day kindergarten program, they are encouraged to contact Hoffert at 574-371-5098 or their school with that information.