Full Day Kindergarten Includes Popsicles, Sea Monsters and Bus Rides In Creve Coeur

The first day of the is August 16 and new for 2011-2012 are full day kindergarten offerings along with new start times for all grades.

The target for kindergarten enrollment was expected to be 1100 and it seems to be right on target. Only four families in the district opted for partial day kindergarten. "The Parkway School District has hired more teachers to accommodate all of the students", said Paul Tandy, the spokesperson for the district. Tandy explained the challenge is the last minute enrollees that may push the student to teacher ratio of 17 to 1, over the limit and cause a last minute hire. But as of now, the district has made the transition smoothly.

Teachers and administrators have worked diligently over the summer, including a three day Summer Institute. The district worked on the kindergarten schedule to include developmental play time and centers, reading, writing and math. "The additional time will allow teachers to more effectively meet student needs, interact more with students, as well as giving students time to read and write everyday as opposed to every other day," said Jami DeBosch, the principal at .

School hours at Bellerive have changed this year, along with the rest of Parkway. Bellerive will be starting later, at 8:55 a.m. and ending at 3:55 p.m. The new start times will take a little getting used to, along with new bus schedules, but DeBosch doesn't see that as a huge hurdle.

Last week Bellerive hosted a bus safety event for kindergarteners. This allowed the young students to become acclimated to their new environment. "The more they are in the building and the more they become familiar with their surroundings, the better the kindergarteners do", said DeBosch.

This Wednesday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Bellerive will be hosting "Dive Into School", a get-together for kindergarten families and new families. At the event they will read Sea Monsters and have an art activity. Students will also be able to check out one book.

Bosch would also like to remind all students that this Friday at 3 p.m. Bellerive will host "Meet the Teacher". This will allow all students to meet their new teacher, see their desk, meet their classmates and make them more comfortable starting school. Students can also bring their school supplies to class. After "Meet the Teacher" students are invited to "Popsicles With the Principal" at 4 p.m., the same day.

With popsicles and new friends, what kindergartener wouldn't want to stay all day?