Kindergartners may have longer day in Oak Park

Next fall may bring a longer school day for kindergarteners in Oak Park if the school board approves a new measure.

Research shows that kindergarteners who attend an extended school day perform better in school later on, said OPUSD Superintendent Anthony Knight.

"This is because there is more time for early literacy activities that we know lead to developing stronger readers later," he said. "Kids at this age need time to explore, wonder and play," he said.

OPUSD President Mary Rees agreed that the longer school day would also enhance social skills and promotes fine motor skills.

OPUSD is currently working on details of this plan; changes aren’t expected to have a large budget impact on the financially strapped district.

The only challenge is to create enough classroom space to accommodate children who stay longer. Currently, kindergarten classes share classrooms in the morning or afternoon.

But not everyone believes the kindergarten day should be extended. Some parents still want to spend as much time as they can with their young children.

In other news, Knight announced that the list of Oak Park High students accepted at top-tier colleges continues to grow. Some students have been accepted at more than one four-year university or college.

––Sylvie Belmond