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November 28, 2009

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Letter: Half day of kindergarten OK

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.

All-day kindergarten all the time for all students was a hot topic in the state Legislature this year. It didn't come to pass. There is little doubt young children absorb information like a sponge. They also have very short attention spans. School districts in many states have all-day kindergarten, but is it really that beneficial?

What educational level is expected of children before they enter the classroom? Should they be able to say their ABCs, color inside the lines, count to five, say the Pledge of Allegiance, speak English? There must be some criteria other than age.

It is the parents' responsibility to teach this early and the school's responsibility to inform them of what is required. Many of my friends and I attended parochial schools where kindergarten didn't exist. Somehow we all managed to do more than just survive. Perhaps it is far more important that kindergartners receive a half-day of solid education rather than a whole lot of "patty cake, patty cake, baker man" during a full day.

A half day of substance trumps a full day of play, any day.

RICHARD RYCHTARIK

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