The School District 71 board approved full-day kindergarten in a Jan. 12 decision, superintendent Dr. Jordan Tinney says in a news release.

The schools that will offer full-day kindergarten next school year are Airport Elementary, Arden Elementary, Aspen Elementary, Courtenay Elementary, Cumberland Elementary, Denman Island Community School, École Puntledge Park (English and aboriginal programs), Hornby Island Community School, Huband Park Elementary, Miracle Beach Elementary, Queneesh Elementary and Royston Elementary.

Brooklyn Elementary, Valley View Elementary, and the district's programs of choice (French Immersion, Montessori) will continue to offer half-day kindergarten this coming year. SD71 staff plan to offer full-day kindergarten at every school and in all programs in the Comox Valley in 2011-2012.

"We recognize that this is a significant announcement for parents of children entering kindergarten," Tinney states. "Look for our ad in the coming weeks and on our website with further clarification on registration details. As always, please contact your school if you have questions.

"We look forward to this program and to having your five-year-olds coming to school this fall where, as always, they will be welcomed and well cared for," the superintendent continues.

Last year, the Ministry of Education informed B.C. school districts that full-day kindergarten would begin to be offered in schools in September 2010. The first year (2010-11) is not a full-implementation year, Tinney explains.

This means that not all schools in the Comox Valley will offer full-day kindergarten beginning in September 2010. All schools in B.C. will offer full-day kindergarten in September 2011.

Source: Comox Valley Record