May 2019 LM

Play and Discovery Essential to New CCSD #146 Kindergarten Program

By Dr. Jeff Stawick Superintendent, CCSD #146

applying it in our half-day program with amazing results. This year, we transitioned to our full-day program, which has thrived, so far. Nancy Schwab, our curriculum director, has been instrumental in setting up the program. This is what she said about the initiative. “The collaboration between the Board of Education, administration, teachers, staff and parents has been so exciting and has produced a play- and discovery-based, student-centered, whole-child approach to learning. We are ecstatic to see our young students flourish in continued...

For many years the Board of Education at Community Consolidated School District #146 has wanted to offer a full-day kindergarten program. This year, District #146 accomplished that goal at our four elementary schools in Tinley Park, Oak Forest and Orland Park. We considered the styles of teaching that were most likely to keep our newest full-day students interested, actively participating in the learning experience, and would result in the highest level of learning. Administrators and our team of kindergarten teachers settled on an expanded version of a discovery-based curriculum that utilizes play. We began by

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LM May 2019