Pods4Learning (TK & K)

Transitional kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging environment that nurtures their growth. Research shows that children who attend kindergarten readiness programs like transitional kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and attend college. Parents recognize the benefits of transitional kindergarten, and many parents have already been enrolling their children in similar programs, public and private, for years. Offering transitional kindergarten helps all of our children get the best start possible, with a curriculum that is designed just for them.

Transitional kindergarten:

• Uses a modified curriculum that is based on the kindergarten Common Core Standards, developmentally appropriate practices. It helps children adjust to the school environment and develop strong learning skills.
• Provides children with the gift of time to learn skills that will help them build a strong foundation for success in elementary school.
• Serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, giving children more time for hands-on, interactive learning.
• Gives children the opportunity to spend time learning important social, emotional, and academic skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
• Provides young learners with a high-quality early education at no cost to parents.
• Helps children adjust to the school environment and develop strong learning skills.
• Provides young 5 year olds with an opportunity to start their kindergarten experience with children their own age, with teachers that can tailor lesson plans to their needs.

There is a large body of research that reinforces the life-long benefits of a high quality kindergarten program, which is what is provided in Evergreen School District. The kindergarten year is an important time of transition for young children. Studies show that early school experiences may instill a belief in the value of education and an appreciation for learning, including building students' confidence in their competence and their ability to learn. These students may learn important life skills, such as motivation, discipline, patience, and persistence.

Evergreen’s high quality kindergarten program:

• Supports the learning of all children, whatever their earlier experiences, environments, cultures, languages, abilities, or disabilities
• Uses District approved curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
• Is staffed by degreed, certified educators who have high-quality professional preparation and relevant training or experience in the developmental and educational needs of young children Are guided by early learning standards that emphasize the concepts and skills appropriate to and important for the kindergarten year
• Maintains class sizes sufficient to facilitate high-quality teaching
• Implements a coherent, research-based curriculum delivered through evidence-based teaching practices that incorporate adult-guided and child-initiated experiences, play, physical activity, and social interaction
• Fosters the nurturing relationships and interactions between children and teachers that build the foundations for children's later learning
• Systematically assesses children's strengths, needs, and progress with multiple tools that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; analyze results, and use those data to inform teaching
• Creates respectful relationships with families to support children's learning as well as work with families to help identify comprehensive services needed to promote kindergartners' positive development and learning
• Promotes children's enthusiasm, initiative, persistence, and engagement in learning
• Responds to the unique interests, learning styles, and developmental characteristics of children in their kindergarten year