Friends of Full Day Kindergarten WSD

We just heard River East Transcona and Pembina Trails are moving to a full day kindergarten model in at least some of their schools. Come on @WinnipegSD it’s time for you to step up to the plate! Our littles deserve the best!

@WinnipegSD It’s time to bring the FDK program back to WinnipegSD!! Talk to the teachers at the schools where it was implemented to see how missed it is!!!

@wlmurphy_mb @AkergenMarie @ShannonHobson15 @MetisMamaMB I can only speak to the school I work at. I think it has to be about both supporting the child and the family. We are a community school and we embrace that fully!

I want to preserve the no-fee nursery program in WSD, and reinstate optional full-day Kindergarten.

@wlmurphy_mb @MetisMamaMB @ShannonHobson15 Absolutely learning happens through play! But with a full day program you can also address the various academic goals through play based learning. Very intentional centres and activities.

@MetisMamaMB @ShannonHobson15 Returning to two half day programs this year has been difficult. I spend a lot of time mourning the loss of time to really engage the students in deep meaningful learning. The number of children who left the program at grade level was amazing. Daycare = play / FDK = learning!

@ShannonHobson15 @friendsofFDK There is a bit of debate here that FDK = daycare. I can speak to this too, as a teacher and parent, but I wonder if you might share your thoughts as a front-liner?

The cutting of Full Day Kindergarten illustrates how the government is not funding education properly. @minewasko #WorldTeachersDay #MTSLobbyDay22

This would be amazing if it could happen. So difficult thinking of going back to half day classes knowing what can be done in a full day program! @nello4transcona @minewasko @macintoshmaggie @wpgchris @LSchatkowsky @DumontJamie @iJenChen @ArleneHReid @WinnipegSD

FDK is being reduced significantly — if not entirely, in two Winnipeg divisions. @FriendsofFDK calls the cuts devastating amid recovery work. "COVID-19 has ensured that children are... starting school already at a social and academic deficit." #mbed #wfp winnipegfreepress.com/local/Full-day…

Deeply disappointed in the WSD Board of Trustee's decision to cut Full Day Kindergarten program. Ultimate blame lies with @PCcaucus . 6 years of back to back cuts to ED are starting to take their toll. This is a huge step backward for Ed in MB & equity & inclusion in ED.#mbpoli

@BSmithMB @nello4transcona @MarkWasyliw @SherriLRollins @minewasko

@WinnipegSD has always been the trendsetter. The first to advocate for amazing programs. Last night the division took a major step backwards by voting to not keep FDK. The youngest members in our schools deserve better! @ArleneHReid @iJenChen @LSchatkowsky @DumontJamie @wpgchris

Why is @PembinaTrails and @louis_riel_sd able to save and expand FDK but @WinnipegSD is not? Any financial savings from this comes at the expense of our kids and our communities? @ArleneHReid @wpgchris @LSchatkowsky @DumontJamie @iJenChen

Sad news out of the board meeting tonight. Looks like FDK is not going to be saved. Thank you to @wpgchris for your support and being the one vote to save the program. We are so disappointed in @DumontJamie @iJenChen @ArleneHReid @LSchatkowsky. Our hearts are broken. 💔

Parents and caregivers, remember you have a voice and it matters! If you are upset by the closing of the FDK classes you can call your child’s school, the division or your local Trustee office. @wpgchris @iJenChen @DumontJamie @LSchatkowsky @ArleneHReid #saveFDK

Reason #5 to save FDK: It all comes down to equity. Children, especially now, are coming to school at a deficit, with fewer life experiences. At a time like this, vital programs should not be cut! @iJenChen @ArleneHReid @DumontJamie @wpgchris @LSchatkowsky @WinnipegSD

Reason #4 to save FDK: Many of the FDK classes in @WinnipegSD have large immigrant and refugee populations. The program helps significantly to meet the needs of EAL learners. @iJenChen @ArleneHReid @DumontJamie @wpgchris @LSchatkowsky

Reason #3 to save FDK: A number of students attending FDK live below the poverty line in @WinnipegSD. Many of these students are of Indigenous descent. @ArleneHReid @DumontJamie @iJenChen @wpgchris @LSchatkowsky

Reason #2 to save FDK: Learning loss due to Covid-19 is significant. Many children are coming into FDK with very limited life experiences and next to no social interactions with other children. @wpgchris @WinnipegSD @iJenChen @LSchatkowsky @ArleneHReid @DumontJamie

Reason #1 to save FDK: FDK was cancelled based on incomplete data which only included the most vulnerable schools. How can we make this decision without all the facts? @WinnipegSD @iJenChen @wpgchris @ArleneHReid @DumontJamie @LSchatkowsky