Youngest learners to receive more focused attention

Fourth section of kindergarten added; class size reduced

Kindergartners are receiving more individualized attention now that a fourth section of kindergarten has been added.

Nov. 10, 2009—Duanesburg’s youngest students are receiving more individual attention since a fourth section of kindergarten was added in late October.

The new class was created to accommodate an increase in enrollment. About 69 students are enrolled in kindergarten this year, up from 61 during the 2008-09 school year. To create the new section, the district hired a fourth kindergarten teacher, Christine McKane.

Now all four sections have 17 or 18 students per class—down from approximately 23 students per class previously.

Research indicates that smaller class sizes are critical for kindergarten students, citing higher test scores, better behavior and fewer discipline problems, as well as more individualized instruction.

“The smaller class sizes are allowing our kindergarten teachers to provide each student with the personal attention that they need,” said Duanesburg Elementary School Principal Erica Ryan.

According to Ryan, parents of kindergartners were incredibly supportive during the transition process.

In fact, many parents volunteered to move their children to accommodate the new class. A lottery system was also used to select the remaining students.

“I am grateful to the board for making smaller class sizes a reality for this year’s kindergartners,” said kindergarten teacher Angela English. “Our students are receiving a lot more one-on-one personal attention and we’re able to offer more hands-on activities and enrichment opportunities.”

Kindergarten teacher Debbie Johnson agrees. "Having the smaller class sizes is wonderful," said Debbie Johnson. "We are able to get more done in a day, pay more one on one attention to students and do more fun activities.

"It's amazing what a difference smaller class sizes make," added kindergarten teacher Debbie Johnson. "We're able to incorporate more fun activities while getting more done throughout the day and providing more individualized attention to students."

Full-day kindergarten was implemented in the Duanesburg Central School District in 2008.

Meet Christine McKane
McKane previously served the Greenfield and Dorothy Nolan Elementary School in Saratoga, New York, as a long-term teacher in first through fourth grade. In 2008, she received the Saratogian Teacher of the Year Award.

She holds a master’s degree in childhood education (birth-grade 6) from the College of Saint Rose, and a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the State University of New York College at Potsdam. She also earned an associate’s degree in applied science from the State University of New York at Canton.