KINDERGARTEN GROWING UP MOVE TO FULL-TIME CLASSES POSES CHALLENGE.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe  Staff Writer

Wooden building blocks are making a comeback at Cantara Street School.

The colorful blocks - along with easels, paint and brushes - are on order to prepare the Reseda campus for its September debut of full-day kindergarten. While the childhood staples spur creativity and help develop motor skills, the school had shelved most of them years ago to free up more time for math and reading.

``We put our blocks aside. In fact, a couple of teachers threw them away,'' Cantara Principal Linda Barr said. ``Now, we'll be able to bring them back.''

Cantara is among 202 LAUSD campuses - including 49 in the San Fernando Valley - that are scheduled to roll out full-day kindergarten in 2005-06.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has vowed to spread the full-day classes to all 500 or so elementary campuses by 2008.

``It's actually pretty amazing,'' said Jim Morris, LAUSD chief of staff. ``No one ever thought we'd be able to do this.''

According to a study of the 170 LAUSD schools that debuted full-day kindergarten this school year, teachers struggled the most with the transition.

They reported needing extra help watching the kids, especially during recess and lunch.

``There's no downtime when you're with 5-year-olds. It can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining,'' said Roger Wilcox, principal of Burton Elementary in Panorama City, which is preparing for its July launch.

At Cantara, about 50 parents stood in line outside the school during this week's enrollment for full-day kindergarten.

``I feel bad for him because it's a long day,'' said parent Gladys Rodriguez, whose son, Ivan, will attend next year. ``But he can learn more instead of playing with the baby sitter.''

School board member David Tokofsky, who spearheaded the full-day kindergarten program, said he's happy with the district's progress. The longer day should help students start school on a better foot, which could eventually lower dropout rates and close achievement gaps.

``The idea that within two years you could take nearly 400 schools in a district that's supposedly on the short list for mayoral takeover is indicative that either someone put Prozac in our water or we have a really pro-kid, learning environment emerging,'' he said.

Monlux School Principal Burt Govenar said he's already gotten calls from parents interested in the full-day classes that will start at his school in September.

The program is one way the LAUSD can combat declining enrollment and attract families away from private schools, he said.

Monlux plans to use the extra time to expand science and social studies lessons.

They're also considering buying some blocks.

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com

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FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN EXPANDING

SOURCE: LAUSD

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