District 202 to Once Again Hold Digital Lottery for Full-Day Kindergarten

PLAINFIELD, IL — District 202 will again hold a random, computerized lottery for a second year of full-day kindergarten in 2017-18.

District 202 parents will be able to apply online for the random, computerized lottery starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The actual lottery will be held on Feb. 9, 2017. Families will be notified no later than Feb. 10, 2017 whether their child has been accepted or put on a waiting list.

The District 202 community identified full-day kindergarten as a priority through the 2011 Strategic Planning process.

However, the district still does not have enough space in its 17 elementary schools to accommodate the students. Between 1,400 and 1,500 children are expected to be eligible for kindergarten next fall.

Still, the Board of Education and district administration decided last year to implement a limited pilot program this school year. The district held a computerized, random lottery to assign 24 students to full-day kindergarten at each elementary school.

The pilot full-day kindergarten program implemented this school year has gone very well. The curriculum is the same for half- and full-day kindergarten. However, teachers get more time and can incorporate more play-based learning in the full-day program.

Once again, 408 full-day kindergarten spaces will be awarded for the 2017-18 school year – 24 students at each of the district’s 17 elementary schools.

District administrators continue to research options to provide full-day kindergarten cost-effectively for as many students as possible.

Please note:

• All students must be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2017, to attend kindergarten, per state law.
• Each family can complete only one online lottery application. Families with multiple kindergarten students will complete one online application including the names of all prospective students. This online application will create individual lottery entries for each child.
• Families without Internet access may register online at their child’s home school on any regular school day from 9 a.m. January 17, 2017 to 3 p.m. January 31, 2017.
• Families will apply for the lottery with the intention of them attending their home school based on their primary home address. However, the actual classroom for your home school may be housed at another building depending on available space.
• Students chosen for this program must complete the normal school registration process by March 10, 2017 or they will lose their slot.
• Full-day kindergarten tuition will be $100 per month in addition to the normal one-time $88 kindergarten registration fee. The $100 monthly tuition will help offset the cost of the additional staff and resources needed to offer the full-day kindergarten program.

More information, including an updated “Frequently Asked Questions” is posted under “Announcements” on the District 202 web site (www.psd202.org), all 17 elementary school web sites, and the web site for the Bonnie McBeth Learning Center.

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202