INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) officials will be working with staff at Innisfail’s St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School to gauge parent interest in continuing full-day kindergarten during the 2025-26 school year.
Ryan Sawula, associate superintendent of curriculum and inclusion with RDCRS, presented a report on the matter to trustees at the board’s Jan. 28 meeting.
“Trustees want us to get some more information from the community, so we are going to work with the school and get some more information from perspective families with regards to how we can continue with the program,” Sawula told the Albertan in a follow up interview.
“How do we offset some of the costs associated with it because full-day everyday kindergarten isn’t funded by Alberta Education. Because there is an additional cost that isn’t funded, trustees are looking for some more information moving forward.”
Full-day, every day kindergarten has been offered at the school for the past several years, with the division picking up the cost. There are 13 students in the program in 2024-25 school year.
“We are looking to continue it, but it is one of those programs that isn’t fully funded,” he said. “As we continue to review programs in Red Deer Catholic, this is one of the ones that has come up.
“We’ve had lots of consultation with families in the community already and we know that families want to see it continue, would like to see it continue.”
The details on how the information will be gathered from community members has yet to be finalized, he said.
Asked if the division is considering asking parents to pay a fee for full-day, everyday kindergarten, he said, “That is one of the questions that was raised by our trustees, because it is a specialized program, could we establish a fee structure to support the cost?
“So I guess one of the questions we will need to ask the families is that something they would be willing to support, is a fee structure, in order to maintain the program.”
In his report to trustees, Sawula outlined potential benefits of continuing with full-day kindergarten at the school. They include:
• potential for improved academic performance;
• potential for enhanced play time and social skills;
• potential for improving preparation for future schooling;
• support for working parents;
• potential for stronger emotional development; and
• more time for enrichment activities.
His report also outlined potential risks, including potential for fatigue, higher costs, and pressure on teachers.
Trustees instructed administration to gather more information from parents and school officials and report back in February.
The Red Deer-headquartered RDCRS division includes schools in Olds and Innisfail.
