By Traci Newell

Joe Hu/Town Crier Kindergartners in the extended-day program make their way back from recess.

The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees decided April 17 to continue the optional extended-day kindergarten program for a second school year at the Bullis site.

The district originated the program this past year to measure the effect on kindergartners of adding eight hours of instruction per week.

Some district parents opposed an extended-day kindergarten program because they want more time with their children before they begin extended hours According to a report presented to the board there is a small percentage of children who can’t last the full day.

But proponents think extended-day kindergarten better prepares students academically as well as socially and emotionally.

“I really believe in the program,” said parent liaison Amy Gaffney. “I want it to be offered as an option at every school in the district.” The board asked Gaffney to present the parents’ perspective of the program.

“Because there is more time on a daily basis, the parents believe there is more time for enrichment, socialization and academics,” she said.

The board decided to continue running the program at the Bullis site, although some parents have recommended moving the program to the home schools.

Patty Boettcher, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said the location of the program could be changed later.

“We will be evaluating the program on an ongoing basis,” she said. “We want to see if there is any way we can quantify the experience the full-day program provides.”

Gaffney said she expects extended-day participants to transition to first grade more smoothly than those in conventional kindergartens.

The program started in response to a survey in which district parents indicated their interest in a full-day kindergarten program. Not all the requests for the program could be filled. The school operates a lottery, which secures 20 spots for each elementary school in the district.