District 202 parents will be able to apply online for the district’s full-day kindergarten lottery starting at 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.
The lottery is the first step in the process to identify the 408 students who will be given the chance to attend full-day kindergarten in the 2016-17 school year as part of the district’s pilot program.
The District 202 community identified full-day kindergarten as a priority through the 2011 Strategic Planning process.
The district does not have enough space in its schools to provide full-day kindergarten to all students who may want it. However there is enough room now, following several years of shrinking elementary enrollment to allow one full-day kindergarten classroom in each of the 17 elementary schools.
District officials and the Board of Education agreed to pilot a modified program and continue to study long-term options to eventually provide a complete full-day kindergarten program.
A random, computerized lottery will be held on Feb. 3 to pick 24 students per elementary building. Families will be notified no later than Feb. 5 whether their child has been accepted or put on a waiting list.
More information, including an updated “Frequently Asked Questions” and a video of the public forum held Dec. 2 is posted under “Announcements” on all 17 elementary school web sites, and the web sites for the Bonnie McBeth Learning Center and District 202.