School Committee Votes to Modify Kindergarten Scheduling-August 17, 1978

Responding to requests from local parents, the School Committee voted last night to change kindergarten scheduling so that pupils attend morning sessions for five months before switching to afternoon sessions at mid-year.

Since the inception of kindergarten in 1948, pupils had alternated each month between morning and afternoon sessions. Assistant Superintendent Umberto Napoleone recommended the change, citing shifts in family lifestyles, particularly the rise in single-parent households and dual-working parents. While noting that the monthly rotation remained an effective method for distributing educational opportunity equitably, Napoleone acknowledged that it posed formidable difficulties under modern lifestyles. The new schedule instituting mid-year session changes will take effect in September.

Additionally, the board appointed a special committee to study handicap accessibility at the high school. Appointed members include Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools James R. Donovan, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Roderick Smith, High School Principal John Piccirilli, and Chapter 766 Parents Advisory Council President Charlotte M. Haskell, alongside representatives from the school committee, permanent building committee, town meeting, board of selectmen, and the building inspector.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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