Fall 2019 Target for Full-Day Kindergarten

NEEDHAM, MA — If all goes according to plan, Needham will have full-day kindergarten within three years.

That’s according to an update from Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst, who told the School Committee at a recent meeting that he recommends introducing the all-day program in fall 2019.

“That year is strategic because we believe that it will be the year when we open up a new elementary school. At that time we believe we will have sufficient space to have full day kindergarten not only at (the new Hillside School) but at all our elementary schools,” Gutekanst said.

In June, the Needham School Committee voted to move forward with a compulsory and fully publicly funded full-day kindergarten program. Next is the creation of the full-day program, which could be created by a planning and transition team.

Also to be considered is space. Gutekanst said the new Hillside School will not have that issue, but that could be a problem for the Elliot and Mitchell Schools.

Currently, Needham only offers half-day kindergarten.

Another update is expected in a couple of months.

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