Transitional Kindergarten Classes to be Held at Tahoe Valley Elementary

Children not 5 years old by the time school starts in the fall are unable to attend kindergarten due to a new state law, but the Lake Tahoe Unified School District will have Transitional Kindergarten (TK).

The Kindergarten Readiness Act, signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2010, changed the kindergarten entry date from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1 so that children enter kindergarten at age 5. The law phases in the new age requirement by moving the cutoff date one month a year for three years, beginning this fall for children born between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2.

At Tuesday night's LTUSD Board Meeting, the board voted to establish an Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) at Tahoe Valley Elementary School. Christina Grubbs, Principal at Tahoe Valley, will use her years of early childhood education specialized training to head up the program.

Concerned parents were able to speak to the board. They cited transportation issues if their 4 year olds had to take a bus across town from their neighborhoods as a big issue. They were also concerned if parents without cars had to get to the school in the case of an emergency, which is something they could walk to should the TK classes be at their neighborhood schools. The district said they would address all concerns to make this a successful program since, not only do they have to provide the transitional classes, but they want the children to succeed and the parents to be happy.

Another concern of parents was a rumor they were hearing that kids already in TK at Tahoe Valley Elementary wouldn't have a fair shot in the lottery for their kindergartners to attend the Magnet School. Dr. Tarwater, Superintendent, said this wasn't true and all children entering kindergarten will have the same fair shot in the lottery.

Teachers said they are excited about being able to not combine the TK and K classes as they have already. LTUSD was ahead of the rest of the state and offered TK classes two years before the state mandated. Having solely TK classes they can concentrate on the curriculum meant for the younger student and not have the older K students be held back.

Citing the fact that learning decreases 70% if a child is tired, the TK will be four hours long, instead of the six hour long K classes. Parents were concerned that their kids would be out two hours before siblings and that childcare issues were on their mind.

Tarwater said they will balance the child's needs with parent's needs.

There will be more meetings with parents during the Kindergarten Roundups held the first week of May.