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Bright smiles and enthusiastic applause Friday afternoon capped a successful junior kindergarten year at Luverne Elementary School.
The 12 students in the inaugural class performed their first musical program Friday afternoon in front of a large group of family and friends gathered in the gymnasium.
Music teacher Morgan Van Holland watched the students’ confidence grow since they started in September as they learned to use good singing voices (not shouting) and maintain a steady beat.
“When I had students come up with actions or ideas, I only had a few who were willing to share,” she said. “Now I have almost the whole class sharing.”
Van Holland’s music curriculum nurtured skills that students learned from teacher Susan Bullerman in the classroom. These include raising hands before speaking, following directions and learning the difference between walking and running feet.
Luverne established the junior kindergarten program as a voluntary option for the 2022-23 school year.
“Kindergarten classes often have students with limited exposure to the school environment, and at the same time some students who can read and write already,” said Principal Stacy Gillette.
“This discrepancy commonly leads to student frustration and an increase in inappropriate behaviors — which is a challenge for the teacher and puts a strain on the school support system. Such situations do not set up students for success.”
State education officials encourage all children who are 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten.
In Luverne, Gillette added, parents of students who turn 5 in the summer months often wait to send them to kindergarten until they turn age 6.
However, the cost of preschool tuition, ineligibility of learning scholarships and lack of day care have prompted parents to enroll their 5-year-olds in kindergarten ahead of their readiness.
“We proposed that instead of holding these students, let’s create a program to address their needs and welcome them to school,” Gillette said.
The all-day/every-day schedule mimics that of the regular kindergarten program.
Students attend recess, lunch, physical education, music and are transported to and from school the same as other elementary students.
The difference is in the classroom, where the teacher focuses on hands-on activities.
“The curriculum covers pre-kindergarten skills to get them ready for kindergarten the next year,” Gillette said.
Junior kindergarten is offered again in the fall due to the positive results from the inaugural class. It’s for students who will be 5 by Sept. 1, 2023.