The current kindergarten program of 2 hours per day absurd. Most children spend a longer day in pre-k than that. I can't imagine how hard it is on the teachers to accomplish anything in that time period. I'm sure the first grade teachers would also support a longer program as well. The children would be much better prepared for first grade.

Well, they'll have to find another building for the students if they go to full day. That's one thing that's for sure.

I teach first grade and can tell you that children who come out of full day kindergarten are much more prepared. Many people outside of the education field do not realize the changes in curriculum over the years to the lower grades. The work they are expected to do in first grade is comparable to what they used to do in second grade.....half day k does not prepare a child for that no matter how good their k teacher is.

All 3 of my girls went through the 1/2 day and have done quite well in their subsequent grades, and 2 of them in excel programs---so, not sure about the "leg-up"....However, it may be easier for parents if the kids went a full day.

If your girls are of a caliber that they are in Excel....they most likely wouldn't have suffered any detriment from half day k. The problem comes in with children who are not as high academically or whose parents are not so involved with them at home.

@Daniel ....any idea if this is connected with the legislation they are trying to pass..... http://www.govtrack.us/states/nj/bills/2012-2013/a2927

Many of the students in the Excel program in Brick schools would not qualify for the G&T program if they were in a better district. It's sort of like being the skinniest person at a Weight Watchers meeting or the tallest person at a Little Peoples convention.
As evidenced by the recent and past NJ Monthly magazine rankings, Brick is in the bottom third. Although there is a small minority of very smart students in Brick schools, the number continues to dwindle.
Further, it is common knowledge that if Hunter's or Dakota's parents want their child in the Excel program or the "advanced" math classes at the middle school level, all they need to do is make enough fuss.

Excel selects the highest achieving, or most creative, or talented type of child. To minimize the ability of children who are in that program by saying they would not be in it in a higher scoring district is ignorant. And I will tell you, a large reason that many children in brick are lower scoring and at a disadvantage has to do with their parents. Sure, there are some very involved parents in our town....but there are far more who shove the kid in front of a video game the minute they get home and never take a moment to read to their kid or help them academically. But that should not detract from the recognition of students who do achieve success.

Personal Anecedote - I moved to Brick 5 yrs ago from a north Jersey district rated in the top 15%. My child was an average student there. Here in Brick she has been in Excel every year and last year got only 1 B (in Excel in one marking period) for the entire year. Her NJ Ask scores have trended down relative to the state population from highly proficient to smack in the middle of proficient. I think this speaks to Reality's point.

Does it? There are children who perform better in earlier grades and then as the work gets more complex, their scores wane. The scores dropping over time does not necessarily indicate the district is at fault.

Just my experience. One kid does not constitute a study. But child gets all A's in middle school, had little homework, and generally seemed like they were not challenged. Yet same kid has drifted statistacally to average on state level testing. And same kid in different district was average at her school yet outperformed on a statewide basis.

At back to school night the English teacher was informing us how she didn't want to push the kids too much since they had just finished their summer reading. This was week 3 of the school year. That summer reading should be in the rearview mirror and these kids should be ramping up for the current school year. Not on a break from summer reading!

I agree with you on the lack of "pushing" a student. In my opinion, they should be pushed. If you teach a child at their comfort level, they will not strive past that. A lot of teachers hesitate in pushing kids too hard because then they get a backlash from parents who complain their kid is getting too much work.

Why waste 20K on a "study"? How much did we waste figuring out what type of Super we "needed" and then hired a local anyway? Aren't there any school districts in New Jersey that have gone through this same change in the last 5 years? Why not give them a call and ask them what was the criteria used? Specifically, how, what and why. That will cost $0.

The kids spend more time on the bus going to/from Kindergarten than they actually spend learning in class! I vote for full day K *and* moving the K classes back to their neighborhood schools if possible. A 5 year old doesn't need to spend 45 minutes on a bus!

Let's also investigate the insane schedules in the middle school. I don't know how the poor kids know if they are coming and going from one day to the next with a different schedule every single day.

I sent my two children to brick until the fifth and sixth grade where I got tired of my daughter just getting pushe from one grade to another. I placed them both in st Denis and they are both honor students and my 7th grader is learning per-calculus I know that all families do not have the means to send their children to private school but I think this speaks volumes about the Brick school system

Am I crazy to suggest uniforms in the Brick public school?. I was talking with my sister who has 2 kids in the system. She said many of the girls are dressed inappropriately in middle school. Isn't this fashion show expensive for parents and a distraction in the classroom? I have friends in public school in Union that have uniforms and they rave about the cost savings and professional mentality it gives the kids. Why hasn't Brick considered this?

this should have been place 5 years ago when most homes had both parents working, Now that a good chance at least 1 parent unemployed doesn't make a big difference.
BUT a full day that scheduled early would be best having the classroom START @ 7:45 & end about 2:15pm would be best for K age children ( buses picking up by btwn 7-7:40) & home by 2:45 ( or after care ) young children are ready to go in the early am unlike the teenagers... teenagers NEED more sleep, instead we have kids in high school sleeping their 1st 2 classes & home early to get themselves in trouble. & young kids tired & ready for a nap by the PM session ...

So we should start high school at noon because teenagers like to sleep late? That's a great idea...that will really prepare them for the real world ....as long as they can land a job that starts at noon.

Mrs G. Yes my daughter with her c and d 's struggling for them in brick schools now gets stray A with a curriculum that is twice as Difficult as the one in Brick. I am sure it is all due to the preparation she received from the teachers and administration at Brick

@ginny.....Logically, if your daughter was struggling in brick schools to get c's and d's and she is now at st denis getting a's...how can you possibly believe their curriculum is twice as difficult? Catholic school curriculum is never as difficult or advanced as public school because public teachers must follow state mandated core standards. Many catholic schools will employ non-state certified teachers as well. Catholic schools are a business. It is in their interest to make you think that what they are teaching your child is far superior to public school because they need your tuition money.

I teach in a public school and my children attend Catholic school. The curriculum and extra curricular activities at a public school can't even hold a candle to the catholic school.

I teach in a public elementary school. I have had children transfer in from catholic schools through the years and literally every time those children are behind. Not in their ability or intellect, but they are behind as far as curriculum. Catholic school curriculum generally moves at a slower pace, for example by the end of say second grade a catholic school class will only be up to material that a public second grade did by mid year. I have nothing against catholic school....I attended one myself. And while they are great in many aspects, the curriculum is just not as fast paced as public......not saying that is a bad thing, its just the way it is.

Very good point.

Full day of K is better for the student and less of a burden on working parents. I agree move the kids to the local elementry schools for K class and if there is not enough room for all, they can still use space at the PLC.