A surge in kindergarten enrollment has hit David Leech Elementary School in the Leechburg Area School District.

The kindergarten program welcomed 69 students Wednesday on the first day of classes. That’s a 64% increase over last school year’s enrollment of 42 pupils.

As a result, a fourth class was added to meet demand, Principal David Keibler said.

“This is great to see the numbers coming up,” he said. “I think the town is having new families moving in. That’s a big part of it.”

Keibler said keeping class sizes under 20 students was a priority.

“It’s huge. We keep the class size at 16 to 17 each so we can really individualize the instruction for the kids,” Keibler said. “Statewide, you can go up to 26 students (per class), but we won’t do that. We pride ourselves in having a small school setting.”

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review The kindergarten teachers at David Leech Elementary School gather Wednesday on the first day of school: Kelsey Craig (from left), Leanne Zelonka, Heather McCarthy and Heather Thompson.  

The four kindergarten teachers are Kelsey Craig, Heather McCarthy, Heather Thompson and Leanne Zelonka.

Craig is the new kindergarten teacher. It’s her second year teaching in the district; she taught first grade last year.

“Kindergarten is fun,” she said. “I like getting the students right off the bat. They learn routine, and it’s fun to see school through their eyes.”

Craig described her teaching style as laid back and fun.

“I love being goofy,” she said.

Guidance counselor Danielle Matus spent time with each kindergarten class on the first day.

She helped to facilitate the “practice” of school procedures such as how to properly enter the school building, follow classroom protocols and navigate the cafeteria food line.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review David Leech Elementary School Principal David Keibler adjusts a kindergartner’s backpack Wednesday on the first day of school.  

Matus said some first-day school jitters were to be expected but, overall, the kindergartners seemed to take everything in stride.

“It’s important to talk about the feelings of starting kindergarten, ” Matus said. “Transition tips include keeping a routine, a bedtime and keeping the line of communications open.”

Keibler said the jitters were at a minimum.

“We only had one crier this year,” he said. “Some years we had 10 or so.”

“I miss my mom,” one pint-sized kindergartner told Matus.

“Let’s hug our heart and know that our parents and loved ones are with us and we’ll see them after school,” Matus said reassuringly.

New this year is a schoolwide positive behavior initiative and an increase in the math/STEM curriculum.

“We’re going to have more hands-on science for the kindergartners,” Keibler said.

Kindergarten is a full-day program at Leechburg.

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