The Upper Darby School District shows interest in all children's academic and social well-being and development. As seen is this video about what the "extra's" mean to the students.
Mission Statement
- “The Kindergarten Center’s mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and fun environment that will introduce children to the exciting world of learning".
- The Kindergarten Center strives to be the place where students make friends, learn how to learn academically, and learn about themselves.
- “The Kindergarten Center’s mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and fun environment that will introduce children to the exciting world of learning".
Rules and Procedures
- The hallways and stairways are filled with signs such as " 100% no talking".
- The students recite a pledge in the morning stating to respect one another and themselves throughout the day while learning.
Diversity
- The Upper Darby Kindergarten Center has one program in particular that some students are tested in to. If students show that they are in need of extra support concerning the English language and transition, they may be provided the opportunity to participate in a full day program.
- Families are frequently provided with translated and bilingual materials, such as a take home book from a field trip to the library.
- "Why is it important to assess what we know about the education of ELLS? The most basic reason, of course, is that we seek to provide, for ALL students, a high quality education that takes into account their individual strengths and needs." (Educating ELL's pp. 1)
Advocacy for Children
- The Upper Darby Kindergarten Center realizes and prides themselves on being the first educational and an important social foundation in the students lives.
- They foster many opportunities for the children to develop and maintain positive, beneficial relationships with faculty and other students.
Resources
- Upper Darby Kindergarten Center and School District Website: http://www.upperdarbysd.org/
- Save the Arts Upper Darby School District Petition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8K_NQe57C-k
- Greenberg, M. T., Weissberg, R. P., O'Brien, M. U., Fredericks, L., Resnik, H., Elias, M. J., & Zins, J. E. (2003). Enhancing school-based prevention and youth development through coordinated social, emotional, and academic learning.American Psychologist, Retrieved from http://casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AmericanPsychologist2003.pdf
- Genesee, F., Lindholm-Leary, K., Saunders , W. M., & Christian, D. (2006). Educating english language learners. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=60OpdH4q1VkC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=school districts assisting English Language Learners&ots=VzRrkMpGjw&sig=yZFcDIqKjNvhdXNZO2TXGfMWflI