Did you hear about the kindergarten show that was cancelled, because the principal reportedly felt it got in the way of preparing 5 and 6 year olds for “college and career?”
This is how the letter sent home to parents by the principal at the Harley Avenue Primary School in Elwood, Long Island put it: “The reason for eliminating the Kindergarten show is simple. We are responsible for preparing children for college and career with valuable lifelong skills and know that we can best do that by having them become strong readers, writers, coworkers and problem solvers.”
One mother had this to say about her 6-year-old daughter who goes to kindergarten at the school: “She doesn’t really understand it—she wants to sing.” An online petition has already received about 1,400 signatures from people who disagree with canceling the show.
What makes a principal think that an annual kindergarten show at the end of the school year is not a valuable learning experience? Can’t it also serve as a way of teaching kids to work together that fosters friendships, builds self-confidence and self-esteem and inspires them to do well at whatever they participate in? And doesn’t it also help to promote the idea that school is a happy place to be? Looking forward to being at school can only add to a child’s love of learning. Just asking? We want to hear from you! Do you think the principal made the right call? And if not, why? Looking back now, what did kindergarten and elementary shows that you participated in mean to you? Share Your Stories and thoughts with us.
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