UPDATE: The headline of this text beforehand recognized the ‘Begindergarten’ program as a pre-Ok program. That was incorrect and the headline has been up to date.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Okemos Public Faculties has determined to discontinue its “Begindergarten” program for the 2025 college yr as a result of monetary challenges.
The Okemos College Board voted to make this alteration on Monday.
The “Begindergarten” program is designed for younger 5-year-olds to organize them for Kindergarten, in keeping with the Okemos Public Faculties web site.
It was free to eligible households who reside within the Okemos Public College District. Round 20 college students are enrolled every year.
The district despatched the next electronic mail to Okemos households:
Pricey Okemos Households,
As you could know, our district – like many throughout the state – is going through a difficult monetary outlook. Rising operational prices and funding reductions require for us to carefully look at all features of our finances to make sure that we will proceed to satisfy the wants of all college students in a sustainable manner.
After cautious consideration, yesterday the Board made the tough choice to discontinue the Begindergarten program as a part of the 2025-26 college yr finances. We acknowledge the timing of the choice might present uncertainty and problem for your loved ones and perceive that this alteration will affect your plans for the approaching college yr.
We hope you had been capable of converse with Principal Kelly final week about choices for this fall. In case your scholar turns 5 earlier than September 1, your choices in Okemos are Kindergarten at their house college, or tuition-based preschool at Okemos Public Montessori (OPM).
In case your scholar turns 5 between September 1 and December 1, your choices in Okemos are Kindergarten at their house college with a waiver, tuition-based preschool at OPM within the morning with a free afternoon in preschool, or Free PreK For All at Edgewood Early Childhood Middle. Households can study extra about these applications beneath.
Kindergarten at your House College
Bennett Woods, Cornell, and Hiawatha elementaries will host Open Homes 5:30 to six:30 p.m. on August 18. Yow will discover extra details about the colleges by visiting the district’s web site and use the “Schools” tab within the high proper nook to see a drop down menu of every of our colleges.
The elementaries will reopen on August 4, when you’ve got questions for the principals earlier than the beginning of faculty.
For extra details about these district applications, please contact Rhianna Walworth at 517-706-5002 or rhianna.walworth@okemosk12.internet.
Montessori PPK at Okemos Public Montessori
The Open Home for OPM will probably be 5 to six p.m. on August 18. This program is tuition-based and doesn’t embrace bus transportation. Nevertheless, if your loved ones elects to enroll your scholar within the PPK program, you’ll be eligible to attend OPM by 4th grade and proceed by the Montessori program. This feature is from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., with an choice to proceed within the afternoon without cost in case your youngster will not be 5 earlier than September 1 or with paid tuition if they’re 5 earlier than September 1.
For extra details about documentation wanted for PPK, contact Michelle Thompson at 517-706-5023 or michelle.thompson@okemosk12.internet.
Free PreK for All program at Edgewood Early Childhood Middle
Households have the selection of a 4-day or 5-day week for his or her scholar. This system is curriculum based mostly and consists of small group and huge group instruction, lunch, relaxation time, and play time. This system runs from 8:30 a.m. to three:30 p.m. and follows the Okemos district calendar. College students must be 4 years previous by December 1.
Apply by Ingham ISD at inghampreschool.org Choose Okemos: Okemos Public Faculties – Edgewood Early Childhood Middle from the dropdown menu of Program Preferences.
For extra details about Free PreK for All, contact Michelle Thompson at 517-706-5023 or michelle.thompson@okemosk12.internet.
Thanks on your understanding and continued partnership throughout this difficult time.
John J. Hood, Okemos Public Faculties Superintendent
