By Jen Clancey DIGITAL PRODUCER
After hitting capacity in its first year, the Big Sky School District’s kindergarten program for 4-year-olds is in its second run with 18 students. The 4-K program prepares kids for schooling through early literacy, number identification, letter formation, alphabet recognition and letter sounds alongside structured inquiry where kids can explore and socialize with others.
Parents can complete a survey to express interest in enrolling their child in the 4-K program.
“The curriculum that is used in our 4-K program all leads into what we do in kindergarten, first and second grade,” Brittany Shirley, principal of Ophir Elementary School said. A teacher and a full-time aide work with students on school readiness throughout the school year, which for the most part matches the schedule of other grades—8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For the past two years, the district has been able to accommodate anyone who has applied that qualified for the early learning program. The district expects to run the program at max capacity this year, despite changes to funding from the government.
“This new House Bill 352, with a focus on early literacy, provides funding for a 4-K program … if they demonstrate a need for exposure to literacy, and developing those early reading skills,” Shirley said. “So this year, we will administer an assessment to everybody who has expressed interest in the program.”
There are three parts to the literacy test that potential students will take. “And in any one of those components, if they demonstrate a need for further development of those skills, that’s how our school qualifies to receive state funding,” Shirley said.
Though not every student will qualify for government funding, Shirley still plans on accepting the maximum number of students. “There’s the possibility where we may not receive state funds for every single kid in the program, we may need to find a different way to supplement those funds, but we’re still anticipating running the program at a max capacity of 20 and having a full time aide in there,” she said.
Testing is expected to be completed in April.
Building community across ages
Kids in the 4-K program participate in special activities that happen at the district. In past years, fifth grade buddies have taken 4-K kids skiing.
“Those fifth graders help the 4-K kiddos navigate the mountain,” Shirley said. “But then that continues to foster in the building when they are reading buddies and they read together.”
So far, Shirley is excited about the interest parents have shown on the survey.
