The planning is now underway to implement a full-day kindergarten program at two schools in Atikokan.
The Rainy River District School Board will offer the program in the fall at North Star Community School.
Education Director Jack McMaster says it expands on the current half-day program.
"We know there's room in the facility," says McMaster, "and we'll work with the early learning programs in the community. We'll have to notify the parents that we're going from half-day instruction to full-day because North Star has traditionally been half-day instruction rather than alternative days like we run in Fort Frances. So it's a much easier transition for us."
McMaster says they're also looking to expand the program to the new unnamed elementary school in Fort Frances in 2011.
The Northwest Catholic District School Board was given approval to offer the full-day kindergarten at St. Patrick's school in Atikokan.
Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says the transition there should also be smooth.
"We plan to have the E.CE. teacher working side by side with our kindergarten teacher," says Kelly. "The daycare portion of the project will take place at the local daycare provider. In the first year, we'll be working with the daycare provider to make sure there's a smooth transition between the daycare and the school program."
Kelly says they've also been approved for funding for the program to be offered at St. Francis School in Fort Frances in 2012.
