Junior kindergarten program gets approval
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

A new program could play a small part in drawing young families to the Conejo Valley after two years of declining enrollment in elementary schools.

Conejo Valley Unified School District will soon begin a junior kindergarten pilot program for children who are old enough for kindergarten but whose parents feel they aren't quite ready.

The school board had its final hearing on the matter at last week's meeting.

"We've had a lot of interest, and many calls already," assistant superintendent of instructional services Janet Cosaro said in addressing the board. "We are ready to advertise. We're just waiting for you to give the heads up."

The program passed unanimously and Cosaro said it will begin this fall.

The junior kindergarten program would open to 4-year-olds who turn 5 between July 1 and Dec. 2. The curriculum would be the same as that of regular kindergarten, but would offer a more "homogenous group" for students to learn in, Cosaro said. At the end of the year, depending on the level of the student, he or she may move on to either kindergarten or first grade.

Cosaro said no schools have yet been pinpointed for the pilot program in light of the current school closure process.

"We obviously want to pick a school that's easily accessible," Cosaro said. "We've just talked about clusters at this point."

Depending on interest, she said, a goal is to have a program in each of the three areas of the district- Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Newbury Park.