Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-118
May 3, 2005
Yukon Government To Introduce Full-Day Kindergarten To All Whitehorse Schools In Fall 2005
WHITEHORSE - The Yukon government is extending the successful full-day kindergarten program to all Whitehorse schools in September 2005.
"We are pleased to announce that all Whitehorse schools will have full-day kindergarten this September," Education Minister John Edzerza said. "While we had previously envisioned this expansion as a two-year process, we heard from schools, school councils and parents that they really wanted full-day kindergarten in all Whitehorse schools this year."
"Full-day kindergarten, along with the Department of Education's other early intervention techniques, has helped increase student success rates in our schools," Edzerza said.
"Full-day kindergarten is an excellent way to ensure that students receive the instruction and developmental time they need to approach Grade 1 with the necessary learning-to-learn skills," Superintendent of Schools Colin Kelly said. "Pre-literacy skills, language development and group learning skills are some of the focus areas of full-day kindergarten."
Full-day kindergarten students will attend their elementary school for the same hours as Grades 1-7 students. The full-day kindergarten student will have a balance of teacher directed instruction and child focused activities. They will be able to participate more fully in the cultural life of the school and will have more dedicated time for learning.
The full-day kindergarten program is completely optional. Parents who do not wish to send their children to full-day kindergarten may choose a half-day of kindergarten.
The government has designated just over $600,000 for the expansion of full-day kindergarten in Whitehorse schools.
Full-day kindergarten will be implemented at the following schools in September 2005: Selkirk Elementary, Grey Mountain Primary, Christ the King, Takhini Elementary, Jack Hulland Elementary, Holy Family Elementary, Hidden Valley Elementary, Robert Service School, Whitehorse Elementary (English and French Immersion), Golden Horn Elementary. École Emilie Tremblay and Elijah Smith Elementary already operate full-day kindergarten programs.
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Clea Ainsworth |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Communications Coordinator, Education |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 393-7102 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca |