Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

KinderPAL Program

GPPSD also looking to offer full-day option for Kindergarten students

Feb 18, 2021 | 10:32 AM

Families sending their children off to Kindergarten in the Grande Prairie Public School Division this fall will also have the option to register for an all-day program, as the division unveiled its plans to offer it starting in the fall of 2021.

The KinderPAL program was unveiled Wednesday, which the division says will offer regular kindergarten curriculum instruction for half of the day, with the other half of the day being focused on structured play and learning with an Early Learning Instructor and Educational Assistant.

Chair of the Board of Trustees John Lehners says he feels this is something parents within the division have been seeking.

“I think we’ve seen lots of support for that type of initiative, where parents feel comfortable with the services that we provide and the school environment,” said Lehners. “Extending that throughout the day is something that our parents are asking and looking for.”

Like the program announced by the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools earlier this month, such a program would be provided an extra fee to families who sign up. What those fees will be for the program will be determined by Feb. 26, says the division.

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GPPSD is planning to offer the program at Alexander Forbes School, Crystal Park School, École Montrose (French Immersion), Isabel Campbell Public School, Riverstone Public School, and Roy Bickell Public School, but will only be offered at those schools if there is sufficient interest.

“It really is a numbers game,” said Lehners. “If we find that the parents don’t participate in the program, then we’re going to have to really re-think how and where (it is offered).”

Lehners adds offering such a program makes plenty of sense, as parents are often looking for a daycare option for their children for that other half-day.

“We also want to make parents lives easier to help promote their children’s education,” said Lehners. “So, it is very symbiotic of what we do and we’re hopeful it will turn into something that can last for many, many years.”

Registration will open on Feb. 23 at 8:30 a.m. and applications need to be submitted by Mar. 2 at 8:30 a.m. The link to register can be found here.