Six of the seven elementary school buildings in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 are busy this summer with construction work in preparation for a full-day kindergarten program that will start at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.
Additional classroom space is being created at Elm, Madison, Monroe, Oak, The Lane and Walker schools. No construction is needed at Prospect. Additional work will continue as needed, but construction will be minimized during the school year. Any construction during the school day will not disrupt the learning environment.
“The District is undertaking significant construction projects to accommodate full-day kindergarten,” said Jeffrey Alstadt, District 181’s director of communications. “These include classroom additions at several elementary schools. Existing spaces are being remodeled to meet the needs of full-day programs.”
Detailed construction plans for each school are available online at www.d181.org/departments/buildings-grounds/fdk.
The move to a full-day kindergarten program comes after the State passed a law a year ago, requiring it be offered it by the 2027-28 school year.
The total architect’s estimated cost for construction was $19,757,900. By awarding the contracts to the lowest bidders, the District is expected to pay $15,533,000, resulting in a savings of $4,224,900.
There will be no incremental increase in property taxes for residents, and the District is funding the project by issuing debt certificates that will be repaid from the District’s operating funds, rather than via an increased levy, Alstadt said.
He said District 181 will hire additional teachers and support staff for the 2025-26 school year; however, those staffing plans have not yet been finalized.
“Full-day kindergarten has academic, social, emotional, and foundational benefits,” Alstadt said. “Students will experience more time in the classroom, resulting in an in-depth exploration of subjects and skills. Students will also have extended interaction with peers and time to develop self-control. Along with students benefiting from a consistent daily routine, full-day kindergarten prepares students for higher grades.”
Alstadt said the District’s full-day kindergarten program will embrace a rigorous academic foundation while recognizing the crucial role of purposeful play in the learning process.
“Foundational skills will be developed and strengthened in literacy, numeracy, science, social science, technology, fine arts, as well as gross and fine motor,” he said. “We believe in fostering a holistic educational experience that integrates play-based activities seamlessly with established kindergarten learning standards.
“Through this approach, we aim to cultivate not only academic excellence, but also the essential social, emotional, and problem-solving skills that contribute to a well-rounded and resilient foundation for lifelong learning.”
District 181’s vision for the new full-day program, Alstadt said, is to create “a dynamic and inclusive full-day kindergarten program that becomes a cornerstone for early childhood educational excellence.
“We aim to cultivate a community of curious, resilient, and socially adept learners,” he said. “Through collaborative efforts among students, families, and educators, we aspire to provide a nurturing environment that ignites a passion for learning and builds a solid foundation for future success in education and life.”
Alstadt said the District has received positive feedback from groups of stakeholders about the full-day program and expects that to be the case with parents.
“Given the strong academic reputation of District 181 and the positive outcomes typically associated with the district, it’s reasonable to assume that most parents in the district would likely support the program,” he said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
