MPUSD wants to expand transitional kindergarten program

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District wants to expand the transitional kindergarten program, but it needs parents’ help.

At Marina Vista Elementary School, Miss Heystee’s class isn’t your ordinary kindergarten. These kids are part of the transitional kinder program, aimed at kids who aren’t ready for regular kindergarten.

“Transitional kindergarten is really a grade that bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten or really if a child is at home and is not ready to go to kindergarten,” Natalie Heystee explained.

All of her students are born later in the year, between September 2-December 2, and start the program when they are four. Being in a classroom is a new concept for these students who have never been in this kind of environment before.

“They don’t want to be away from mom or dad,” Heystee said. “A lot of the students don’t have skills, like being able to tie their shoes, maybe they’re nervous to go to the bathroom by themselves. They don’t know how to properly wash their hands, they might not know how to write their name.”

Miss Heystee breaks the kids up into ‘centers.’ Small groups where they learn to work with each other. And these students have their favorite.

“I like the kitchen cause you can cook anything you want,” Cara Sharma said.

In 2010, a new state law mandated schools offer a transitional kindergarten curriculum. Marina Vista is one of five schools teaching it in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Because it’s been so successful, the district would love to expand it.

“They can see the kids coming out of transitional kindergarten and how well they are doing in school,” Christy Campanaro, principal of Marina Vista said.

“They have an innocence about them,” Heystee said, “They have an eagerness to learn. They are so excited about school. They’re so excited to come to school see their friends.”

Since the district began offering the program four years ago, some 250 students have gone through T-K, then onto regular kindergarten. If you’re interested, registration is going on right now through the school district’s website.