What a difficult decision we as a community have to make.  It is a hard time for many of us and unfortunately this is the time full day kindergarten has been presented.  With anything in life there certainly are pros and cons.  As a kindergarten teacher myself I would like to add my two cents worth.  I have been teaching kindergarten for 18 years, the past 4 in full day kindergarten.  I have been part of the discussions in two other communities and have seen much research.  As far as I have seen all research has been positive or neutral.  I have seen no research showing any negatives to full day kindergarten.  My own experiences have been overwhelmingly positive and I would never go back to teaching a shorter day (unless standards and curriculum were to lessen- and that won't happen!)  Kindergarten is not what it used to be.  The expectations are more like what I did in first grade myself.  Kindergartners are now required to be reading some simple text independently, not only identify letters and colors.  They need to add, subtract, pattern, sort, problem solve, and so very much more.  Take some time if you care about this issue and go to the state department's website and look at Vermont's standards for kindergarten.  The pace is hectic and it is impossible to fit it all in.  Time is rushed and many kindergartners are stressed and there is not time for explore time for students to practice the academic and social skills they are learning.  Full day kindergarten allows for the pace to be slowed and for curriculum to be implemented in a more developmentally appropriate manner.  Kindergartners are not first graders and full day kindergarten is NOT the same.  We as a community must insist that it still be treated as kindergarten with explore time (play IS a kindergartener's work) and outside time and even a rest time where kids can listen to chapter books read aloud.  I believe this is what our fabulous kindergarten teachers are planning on.  Our teachers do an amazing job within the constraints they have now, let's give them the time they, and the students, need!  Many other communities have moved to full day kindergarten and are seeing benefits - current benefits - 5 and 6 year olds having time to be five and six year olds.  Yes, they could play at home after school but it is not the same as practicing and developing skills with a group at school.  It does not allow for the slower pace.  Some children have the opportunity for full day her in Fairfax this year but ALL the children in our community deserve to have the opportunity for the best education possible. (Not only "at risk" students)  I believe that full day is what is necessary for that in our current society.  Let us do what is right for our kids.  Support our school budget, and full day kindergarten!!  Thanks for reading my opinion!
Karen Seaman ~parent, teacher, and active community member