FORT SIMPSON - Parents with students at or entering Bompas elementary school in Fort Simpson are being given a chance to voice their opinion on the length of the kindergarten class.

Currently, the 12 kindergarten students attend school in the morning and leave just before noon. The District Education Authority (DEA) is considering offering full-day kindergarten.

The question of full-or half-day arose last year after the Department of Education changed the Education Act so school districts could offer full- day programs, said Terry Jaffray, principal at Bompas.

The Bompas program has always been a half-day long, but discussions on possible changes were started. This year's class has only 12 students enrolled and a decision was made last year not to switch. The change could be made in time for next year's class of 16 kindergarten students.

To get parent's opinions, 130 surveys were sent out on March 21, asking parents which system they'd prefer. Only 28 surveys came back with 16 in support of a half-day and 12 in support of a full-day program.

The DEA doesn't feel this is a decisive indication by which to ask the Dehcho Divisional Education Council to switch the program, said Jaffray.

Parents are being given until April 10, the next DEA meeting, to return their surveys. Parents are also welcome to come to the meeting to voice their opinion in person, she said.

If the program is changed the effect will be felt in all classes, not just kindergarten.

The school is already overstaffed by two, according to the government funding formula, therefore no additional money would be provided for the extra half - a position that would be necessary to run a full-day kindergarten program, said Jaffray.

This would result in larger class sizes at the Grade 5 and 6 levels so the staff positions could be rearranged.

The school is also interested in how the students would be affected by a program change, said Jaffray.

There are arguments both for and against full-day programs.

A full-day program gives the students more time to work on their kindergarten curriculum. They also have more opportunities to socialize with children their own age. The program could also help at-risk students and better use the space in the school, said Jaffray.

Arguments against include the fact it can be a long day for young children, there is less time spent with families and four and five-year-olds might not be mature enough to be in the lunchroom.

There is also a possibility the gap between at-risk children and regular students can widen, said Jaffray.

If a full-day program is chosen, there are a number of ways that it could be implemented that are still being explored.

Jaffray is encouraging parents to take this opportunity to have their say.

"The school represents the community, and what happens in kindergarten impacts the whole school and this decision will impact the whole school," said Jaffray.

The final decision will be based on input from parents, the school staff and the DEA.