'The stress is gone'

Coleene Torgerson, Bigfork, letter to Rep. Doug Cordier:

Dear Representative,

Thank you very much for your service in the legislature and on the House Education Committee.

I am writing to express my support for Full-Time Kindergarten.
I am a teacher at Lakeside Elementary in Lakeside, MT. I have been a teacher for 22 years, a kindergarten teacher for 17 years, and a full time kindergarten teacher for 3 years.

Full time kindergarten is an educationally sound and proven idea whose time has come for Montana. After teaching full time kindergarten for 3 years, I would not consider going back to teaching half day sessions. My students are so much more grounded, flexible, confident and prepared when they enter first grade.

State Standards in Reading and Math have pushed academics that used to be in First Grade down into kindergarten. In meeting those standards in a half day kindergarten, all of the 'fun' and vitally important areas of socialization, art, music, and especially play have been pushed aside. There is great stress on the children to perform and to get through the academic material.

I have found that in a full day program, the stress is gone. I have plenty of time to teach my academics and still allow the children to play, sing, paint, cook, do science experiments, listen to stories.

In 3 years, I have not had a child who could not handle the full day. I have a resting or quiet time in the middle of the day, and children who need it can take a nap.

Parents have been very supportive and satisfied with the full day kindergarten program, and there is a long waiting list to get into my class.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about full day kindergarten or would like to come and visit my class.
Thank you again for the important work you do for all of the people and especially the children in the state of Montana.