Elizabeth Rummel and Banff Elementary Schools will have full day English language kindergarten programs starting in August.
The Canadian Rockies Public Schools Board of Trustees made the announcement on Tuesday (Feb. 1).
“We believe strongly that providing opportunities for kids and families is the best way we can provide support to families in the Bow Valley,” said Paula Hanson, Director of Community Engagement at CRPS.
As of August, all CRPS elementary schools will have a full day kindergarten option. Exshaw School has offered the option for two years.
Both Elizabeth Rummel and Banff Elementary Schools will continue to offer half-day kindergarten options to families, and Rummel will continue its half-day French immersion kindergarten as well.
Although the full day kindergarten is not fully funded by Alberta Education, the program will be offered at no cost to families, said Hanson. “The board has made a decision to find ways to make this work,” she said.
The board is unsure how much the kindergarten program will cost at this time as it depends on enrollment. “We really won’t know our costs until we see what parents’ choices are,” said Hanson. The board feels strongly that an investment in early childhood is a strong investment in kids and families, added Hanson.
More information on kindergarten will be available in the coming weeks as the school division organized registration nights for the two schools.
