The Shenendehowa Central School District is making some upgrades to its kindergarten classrooms.

In Ms. Alison Luke’s kindergarten class, they’re working on two very important skills: writing and spelling. Ms. Luke has been teaching young kids for over 15 years and she loves that every day is a new day.

“Every day, the kids come in with smiles on their faces and ready to learn new things," said Luke, a teacher at Shatekon Elementary School.

Right now, in the Shenendehowa Central School District, kindergarten is only a half day but that will be changing once the district finishes building their new “Early Learning Center."

It's a new building that will take kindergarten classes like this one from elementary schools around the district and put them in one centralized building, upgrading from half to full-day kindergarten.

“One of our struggles is that we just always want them here longer with us so that we can dive deeper into the curriculum and also expose them to more art and music," Luke said.

The building was donated to the district but renovations will cost around $55 million, which was approved for the 2023-2024 school budget, back in May.

“I’m excited to give the kids their own community, with so many other kids that are right at their level. They are going to be building relationships with their peer and their neighbors and even kids from around the district that they might not otherwise get to interact with," Luke said.

The Early Learning Center will teach around 700 kindergarteners from eight different elementary schools. Construction plans to begin next year and the goal is for it to be completed by January 2026.

“For some parents, it will be a step in the right direction in terms of not having to worry about wrap-around programs or aftercare," said Erica Ryan, principal at Shatekon Elementary School.

Ms. Luke said at the end of the day, a full day of class will only add to giving her little learners a strong foundation and set them up for success in years to come.