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Friday, March 23, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Plan upsets both Senior and JK parents (Continued from page 1) staff and trustees has drawn strong views on both sides, says the board's program superintendent. "This is clearly one issue where I've learned it's black and white for people," said Barry Finlay. "Some really support it because it meets their needs and others are adamant that it doesn't. There's no grey area here." Currently most Halton public school students attend Senior Kindergarten on a daily, half-day basis. But proposals for implementing JK next September suggest both Kindergarten grades operate on an all day alternate day schedule. A Burlington parent said the schedule is being proposed because it's the most finan cially viable one. "My biggest concern is I've struggled with all the board materials and I cannot find a single benefit to children, teachers and parents," said Bonnie Agostinho. "The only benefit of this entire process is the money the board saves in transportation costs." She said both Senior and Junior Kindergarten parents are unhappy with the all-day, alternate day proposal. Board officials have said there is no dif ference academically between Kindergarten students who attend half days and full-days. But Agostinho said other facets of development must be considered "What about psychologically, emotionally and their ability to adjust?" she asked. "Children don't learn much in Kindergarten, but it enhances their ability to adjust to school." Agostinho said her main concern over all-day Kindergarten is its effects on chil dren's behaviour, attitude and well being. She has a son attending Brant Preschool on an all-day basis, three days per week, while Agostinho is at her job. But she feels this is different from Senior Kindergarten, which her child is eli gible for next September. Agostinho noted the preschool has three teachers for 24 children and offers a hot lunch and two-hour nap times. She expects more learning in regular school. But the parent adds there's a differ ent environment there, with more structure, a higher pupil-teacher ratio and less atten tion for children. "At a full day, they're too tired to learn," added Agostinho. "There's increased illness and levels of fatigue." She said the alternate day system means there's no regular school routine for chil dren and arranging daycare for off days is difficult. Superintendent Finlay said the majority of participants at the board's first JK open house opposed all-day, alternate day schooling. "But people who are in favour of it are not going to bother coming out to the meet ing," he said. "If the program is offered at your school and you like the model, you're not going to come out." Finlay said the latest American research indicates there's no academic difference between all-day and half-day Junior Kindergarten. "Children mature at different rates," he said. "There's really no one model that meets the needs of all kids." The superintendent said parents have expressed concerns about the long day, nap time, lunch supervision and the children's ability to concentrate, plus their energy lev els and social readiness. "They want to know what the day will look like," said Finlay. "It's about readi ness." Concerns were also expressed about children occasionally having to attend two days in a row. But others are adamantly in favour of all-day, alternate day classes, said Finlay. "They have all-day child care five days a week for their kids and say it's not a problem," he noted. The superintendent added some parents support all-day attendance because arrang ing child care would be difficult otherwise. 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