WICOMICO ADDING FOUR TEACHERS TO REDUCE KINDERGARTEN CLASS SIZE

Westside Primary, Fruitland Primary, Pinehurst Elementary and Prince Street Elementary to Have Additional Kindergarten Teacher as of Oct. 1

Four Wicomico elementary schools will have an additional kindergarten teacher as of Oct. 1 to reduce class sizes to a more manageable level.

Since the start of the 2015-2016 school year, and even during the summer, the school system monitored kindergarten class sizes across the county. At Westside Primary, Pinehurst Elementary, Fruitland Primary and Prince Street Elementary, the average kindergarten class size was 26.7 to 29.4 students.

“We’ve been watching class sizes closely, monitoring kindergarten enrollment at all schools and particularly these four schools, along with teachers, administrators, and parents,” said Susan Jones, Director of Elementary Education. “Although we tried to prepare for anticipated enrollment at each school by moving several teachers over the summer, kindergarten numbers in the four schools have been even higher than expected, resulting in larger class sizes than we would want to have in those classrooms.”

Earlier this month, the Board of Education directed that the four schools immediately begin the process of hiring new kindergarten teacher for each school. The schools conducted the application and interview process together, and selected one new kindergarten teacher each. The new teachers will be in the classroom on Oct. 1, and parents and guardians of students who will be in these new classes have received information from their child’s school.

“We’re delighted that the Board of Education gave the go ahead to hire a new kindergarten teacher for each school as soon as possible. Each of the four schools has a room for the new kindergarten class, and an instructional assistant will be moved from elsewhere in the system to work with each new kindergarten teacher,” Jones said.

A new kindergarten teacher for each school will reduce the average class size for all kindergarten classes in that school:

Fruitland Primary: 29.4 students per kindergarten class now, 24.5 with the new teacher

Westside Primary: 28 students per kindergarten class now, 22.4 with the new teacher

Pinehurst Elementary: 27.7 students per kindergarten class now, 20.75 with the new teacher

Prince Street: 26.7 students per kindergarten class now, 21.4 with the new teacher

“We heard concerns from some of our kindergarten parents about high class sizes, and we shared those concerns,” Jones said. “Our Board recognizes the importance of having manageable class sizes in kindergarten classrooms, and we’re pleased that the Board acted quickly to bring in additional teachers to serve these students.”

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