The start of the 2021-2022 school year might seem like it’s light-years away, but when it comes to making arrangements for kindergarteners to attend school, the time to start planning is now. While students who are 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2021 won’t be heading to class until late next summer, there are several decisions parents and guardians will need to make before then — and it’s better to start sooner than later.
“Parents need to think about which option they want, the half-day option that we offer, or the Supplemental Hours of Kindergarten Instruction program we offer as well,” said Canyons Teacher Specialist Leigh Ann Fisher. “This may determine the school their child attends, because if their boundary school isn’t offering the Supplemental program, then they need to think about, ‘Where am I willing to travel to take my child so that they have that option to have the Supplemental program as well?’”
Starting on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., Canyons District will begin accepting online applications for its Supplemental Hours of Kindergarten Instruction program for the 2021-2022 school year. Computers are available at Canyons schools for families who do not have Internet connectivity at home. The opt-in, tuition-based program is offered at schools based on community interest and available space in the building. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students who are accepted into the program will receive nearly four additional hours of instruction every school day. The participating children begin and end school at the same time as the school’s first- through fifth-grade students. Cost for the program is $2,950 a year, and can be paid in monthly installments. A 10 percent discount is available for parents and guardians who pay the yearly tuition in full at one time, and scholarships are available for those who demonstrate financial need.
“We look at federal poverty guidelines to see if you would qualify for that scholarship,” Fisher said. “It’s important for families to apply, even if they don’t think they’ll qualify for the scholarship. We make accommodations when we are able, because we want kids in the program. We always just say, ‘Apply, try, and let’s see what we can do.’”
Phase one of the application process will end on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 11:59 p.m., and by Feb. 11, families will be notified of whether their students have been admitted to a school of their choosing or placed on a waiting list. Canyons District will continue to accept applications after Feb. 4. Students who apply after that date will be added to a waiting list or invited to enroll at schools that still have openings.
The District plans to offer the classes at the following 18 elementary schools:
- Alta View
- Altara
- Bella Vista
- Brookwood
- Butler
- Canyon View
- Crescent
- Draper
- Edgemont
- Lone Peak
- Oakdale
- Park Lane
- Quail Hollow
- Ridgecrest
- Silver Mesa
- Sunrise
- Willow Canyon
- Willow Springs
Keep in mind, however, the program can only be offered at these sites if at least 20 students have enrolled in the program. Efforts will be made to enroll students at the school closest to their homes, but the District cannot guarantee placement at any specific school.
Children who qualify for transportation services will ride the kindergarten bus with morning-session kindergarten students and will ride home with the afternoon-session kindergarten students.
Questions? Call 801-826-5045 or send an email message to communications@canyonsdistrict.org.
