By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – The Marlboro K-8 School District is making progress toward implementing a full-day kindergarten program beginning in September.
In April 2016, the Board of Education appropriated $1.8 million to renovate classrooms at several elementary schools.
Renovations specifically aimed at accommodating kindergarten pupils are taking place at the Dugan and Defino elementary schools, according to district administrators.
Renovations being undertaken to create additional classroom space at the Asher Holmes and Robertsville elementary schools are also being made at this time, administrators said.
Bids were awarded to Pharos Enterprises of South Amboy for general construction ($342,750), Performance Mechanical Corp of Wall Township for heating, ventilation and air conditioning work ($510,000) and Electrical Applications, Roselle Park, for electrical work ($134,217).
“We are moving ahead,” Business Administrator Cindy Barr-Rague said. “We have included all staff, equipment and supplies necessary to open in the fall with full-day kindergarten. We have identified (kindergarten) classrooms in the elementary schools … with the remaining (kindergarten) classes to be held at the Abbott Early Learning Center. We opened kindergarten registration earlier than in the past to get the process started in hopes that parents would come earlier.”
District administrators are anticipating about 15 sections of kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year: eight sections at the David C. Abbott Early Learning Center; two to three sections at the Frank J. Dugan Elementary School (depending on enrollment); two to three sections at the Marlboro Elementary School (depending on enrollment); and two to three sections at the Defino Central Elementary School (depending on enrollment).
At the Marlboro Elementary and Dugan schools, there are three or four classrooms which each have a bathroom and those classrooms can be used for kindergarten classes. At Defino, there are three or four classrooms in close proximity to bathrooms. Administrators said this ensures compliance with the New Jersey Administrative Code.
Albert Perno, the principal at the Abbott Early Learning Center, will oversee Marlboro’s kindergarten program.
“Mr. Perno will work closely and collaboratively with the building principals at the Marlboro Elementary, Dugan and Defino schools to ensure that our mission and goals for the kindergarten program are implemented,” district administrators said.
Administrators said staff members are designing a comprehensive program that will address the unique social, emotional and learning needs of every child.
“I am extremely excited that district students will have full-day kindergarten next year for the first time in history,” Superintendent of Schools Eric Hibbs said. “Our youngest learners will have more time to learn, explore and develop in the school setting.
“The district has been tirelessly planning for full-day kindergarten and it is now coming to fruition and paying off tremendous rewards as next year’s kindergarten students will experience increased learning time in every subject area.
“Kindergarten learning in Marlboro will continue to be creative, enthusiastic and project-based. I look forward to the next chapter in early childhood education in Marlboro,” Hibbs said.
At present, Marlboro provides a half-day kindergarten program and all kindergarten classes meet at the Abbott Early Learning Center on Tennent Road.
Parents currently have the option, at an additional cost, to have their child remain in school after the half-day kindergarten class has ended in order to complete a full day of instruction.