I support full day kindergarten. I am in the unique position where I personally have children that have been through both full and half day kindergarten in Merrimack. Full day kindergarten prepared my youngest for first grade much better than half-day did for my two oldest.

As a working mom I would have loved to have had a full day kindergarten program. In fact- when my kids first started out in Merrimack, there was no kindergarten program. That eventually shifted to the half day mode then full day model's which I was very happy about. I am in favor of keeping the full day Kindergarten, as I believe the extra time in the classroom serves as an additional benefit to the child, and certainly helps out parents from a child care cost standpoint. I think full day kindergarten provides our kids with a head start, giving them valuable additional time in the classroom for socialization and developing the building blocks they need at a time when their young minds are rapidly learning and adapting to the world around them. As with everything we do, we need to make sure we are delivering a quality program in an efficient manner for the benefit of the district and our children.

I fully support full day kindergarten. An excellent education begins at the foundation. Truly, the beginnings of addressing concerning graduation rates starts in kindergarten with engaging students in the learning process and building foundational math and literacy skills that all future grades can build upon. Having had children who attended both full and half-day kindergarten here in Merrimack, I have to say that full-day kindergarten was a difference-maker.

Full-day kindergarten is a big reason why we moved to Merrimack. It lays the foundation for our students to succeed in a full-time educational environment. For years studies have shown that many young students thrive with routine and consistency. Establishing these routines while fostering relationships with educators at this age gives our youngest and most vulnerable students the building blocks to their educational success. We had a great experience with full-day kindergarten here in Merrimack.

I support full-day kindergarten. I believe that being able to provide full-day kindergarten to the students of Merrimack can increase the potential for success among the students. These students are given a more substantial amount of time to allow for the various needs of growth and development needed during early childhood. Having a full day allows teachers to be able to have the flexibility to provide both the academic foundation, but also the needed play and interaction that is used to hit developmental milestones. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough time in the half-day programs for this, especially when taking into consideration snack breaks, bathroom breaks, and any time it may take to settle down or get ready to go. As a parent, I could absolutely see the difference between my children's kindergarten experience from my older two that had half-day to my youngest that was given the opportunity for full-day kindergarten.

The voters approved full day Kindergarten and it has been in full implementation since 2018. Individual families can and have chosen what works best for them by utilizing full-day kindergarten or seeking 1/2 day alternatives.

Full-day kindergarten was voted in by the residents of the town. The will of the voters was implemented, the role of the board is to follow through.

Already in place since 2018.

I supported the implementation of full-day kindergarten while serving on the board, and I continue to support it in Merrimack Public Schools. Developmentally appropriate full-day kindergarten has the following advantages:
-Increase career and college readiness skills upon graduation.
-Higher long-term achievement, including among disadvantaged and low-income children, and for those receiving Title I services.
-Higher reading scores in early grades.
-Fewer grade retentions.
-Higher test scores.
-Increased opportunities for creative activities and for developing social skills.
-More time spent in individualized instruction.

I support full day kindergarten as a good foundation for early education. I also believe there should be a balance of play-based learning, socialization and traditional educational time as developmentally appropriate for that age group. To be able to provide the best education possible, plus manage the students' individual needs, we really need to keep the full day program.

I fully support full-day kindergarten. Between both of my boys, one was able to experience full-day kindergarten (privately) and one attended half-day kindergarten with a half-day extension program. My son who attended full-day in person, with no interruptions of teachers/facilities had a much transition to first grade than my other son. I see many benefits to having all students starting kindergarten as full-time students.