PATRONS OF THE Ridgefield School District will have the opportunity to send their students to full-day kindergarten in the fall.
RIDGEFIELD – Ridgefield School District officials received confirmation on July 16 that state funding would be provided for Union Ridge Elementary School to offer full-day kindergarten beginning with the upcoming 2015-16 school year starting September 1.
All kindergarten students in the Union Ridge Elementary School boundary will be eligible for the program.
"We are very excited to continue to expand opportunities for our students at all levels," said Dr. Nathan McCann, Ridgefield School District superintendent. "Studies have demonstrated that early childhood education is key to a student's development and full-day kindergarten is a big part of that development."
State funding for full-day kindergarten continues to be phased in across Washington state based upon the number of students in each elementary school who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches. Ridgefield School District's two elementary schools were in line to receive funding from Washington State should other districts turn down their eligibility which is how Union Ridge Elementary School received funding.
South Ridge Elementary School does not meet the state's current threshold to receive funding at this time and will not begin offering full-day kindergarten until the 2016-17 school year.
"I'm very excited to offer full-day kindergarten to this year's newest Tater Tots," said Tracey MacLachlan, Union Ridge's interim principal. "I think Union Ridge is fortunate to receive this opportunity for our students; early learning is essential and being able to provide this consistent instruction will be a tremendous benefit for our kindergarteners."
Kindergarten and new student registration information for all Ridgefield schools can be found on the district website at www.ridge.k12.wa.us and parents may submit registration paperwork to the school offices beginning Wed., Aug. 19.
Parents and community members who have additional questions are encouraged to contact the district office at (360) 619-1301.
