Extended Day Kindergarten Now Offered for U-46   ELGIN– School District U-46 is excited to introduce an Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) option for incoming kindergarten students for the 2013-2014 school year. It’s a tuition-based program and will be located at two satellite sites; two classrooms on the west side of Elgin and two classrooms in the Bartlett area during the pilot year.   Extended Day Kindergarten will benefit students, by giving them more time for educational experiences to further develop their motor, language, literacy, and social skills. It will allow teachers to provide more time to address individual strengths and needs and increase student achievements. Depending on the hours of the site, the length of EDK will be 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.   If demand exceeds the spots available a lottery will be conducted for interested families.   Applications are available at U-46 schools and below.  The application deadline is March 15.   The program is tuition-based, but reduced fees are offered for students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch. A $96 application fee will go toward materials and will be collected at the end of March once students are notified of their acceptance into the program.   Extended Day Kindergarten Fees:   ·         $100 for August and $300 per month for 9 months, September through May.  ·         Students who qualify for Free Lunch will pay $25 for August, and $70 per month, September through May. ·         Students who qualify for Reduced Lunch will pay $50 for August, and $145 per month, September through May.    Bus transportation will only be provided if the EDK site is a student’s home school and the student lives over 1.5 miles from the school. SAFE, (before and after school care), will be provided at the EDK site. There will be an hourly rate for kindergarten students.   Dual Language Kindergarten will be available in EDK depending on the interest.   Parents will still have the option to send their child to Half-day Kindergarten. Students will continue to receive best practice instruction in core curriculum, including reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Half-day Kindergarten offers morning and afternoon sessions; 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additional Information: Extended Day Kindergarten Interest Form - (Type in PDF, English) (Fill out form on computer, print it, sign it and fax it in) Extended Day Kindergarten Interest Form - (Type in PDF, Spanish) (Fill out form on computer, print it, sign it and fax it in) Extended Day Kindergarten Interest Form - English Extended Day Kindergarten Interest Form - Spanish Extended Day Kindergarten FAQ's - English Extended Day Kindergarten FAQ's - Spanish