I don't think the district is looking at trying to lure our offspring into the school to save money or help working parents. The luxury of mom staying home with little Johnny or little Sally ended for many families about 30 years ago. The Leave-It-To Beaver days were enjoyed by parents of the 50's, 60's and early 70's.

If your children are not ready for school and you have the means to keep them back another year that is an excellent plan. The district doesn't want them earlier, they do however want them prepared. Teach them the basics... teach them to tie their shoes... teach them to share and respect not only the teachers but all students and adults that they will be apart of... teach them that life isn't always fair... teach them the importance of brushing their teeth and hair... teach them the classroom is for learning not some place to be entertained... teach them that they may enter a contest and might not win... tell them that it will be o.k... teach them that ribbons and trophies are fun to get, but not intended for everyone on everyday, if they do not get one, perhaps on another day they might... tell them it will be alright either way.

The time that a parent has with their child before entering the schools goes by very quickly, please use it to play with your child, to listen to them, show them the wonders of the world, and make sure that everyday contains several moments of learning and teaching. Teaching them to win is easy... teaching them how to act when they lose is truly a life skill that will be a much more valuable tool as they journey in life. Read to them and show them, although you are busy, slow down and look your child in the eye... tell them you love them.

If all parents would feed and nurture their children in this manner just think of the impact it will have when they finally are ready to begin school regardless of all day or half day.

Our schools do have a big responsibility, they must work as a team with parents in order for the students to fully gain what they will need to win, achieve, and reach their true potential.

I hope our schools have not dumbed down the curriculum so all children will pass each and every time. I hope false grades are not given in order for the parents and the child to feel like they have a great teacher and that they have had a great year of learning. Although we all want to feel good about life, I hope "self-esteem" and feeling good about 100% of everything in life doesn't give them a false view of the real world. I hope goals are something that takes work and effort to achieve rather than simply stepped over because they are only ankle high. I bet winning ribbons, medals, trophies, and A's are nothing but fun... however, I hope it does not give us a false sense of security and a false sense of achievement.

Parents, what a wonderful world we would have if each child grew up to be the President... the next Olympic gold medalist... or a Nobel Prize winner. The next time a teacher has the courage to tell you your child is not behaving or achieving, resist the urge to lash back. The next time your child's coach tries to share his concerns, try to think with both eyes fully open before responding. For you may not see it or feel it at the time, but those with the courage to be "real" may in fact propel your child to far better greatness than the ones who simply gave you the false grades just so everyone could feel like a winner. I know, I know... I am very aware that there are some below average teachers and coaches in our schools, try your best to take as much good as you can from them and move on.

The fact still remains that not all parents have the luxury to be able to stay home, no matter how much they would want to or you think they should. Why don't you wait to cast such negative judgement on this program and on the prospective parents until it gets a chance to operate! This is not just a program that is going to be run for the simple fact that parents need additional "day care" options and want to simply drop their children off and forget about them. There may be a few that feel this way, but I can guarantee that they are the minority. I am also pretty sure that the teachers will have to be qualified to teach our children and the homework has been done by the administrators to make this a reality. I can tell you as well, being a parent of a small child, that if I or my wife are not able to stay home (which we are not) all the time, that I would want these qualified kindergarden teachers to supplement what we are doing.

You are right when you say that these teachers cannot be parents to these children, but I don't hear anyone asking them to be just that. I will always be the main provider and teacher for my child(ren), and anyone that says otherwise is full of it, telling me and anyone else who are for these progressive programs that we are not good parents. Some might even say that anyone who doesn't think this program is worth it are in fact, the close minded ones, and obviously not accepting of progression not giving the children the education they need and deserve.

After this program is up and running for more than a second, and then it is showing signs that it is not working, then come talk to me. I will be the first in line to congratulate you on your correct views, until then give it a chance. What is there to lose?