It's working.

Michael Lucas, Cornell Elementary School principal, told school board members, that the district's new full-day kindergarten is making a difference.

A recent review of reading achievement data of first graders who were members of the first full-day kindergarten class last year, compared to first graders who were half day kindergarten students, showed significant improvement.

The DIBELS test scores reflected a 27 percent increase in students performing at proficient levels.

"We expect the reading achievement to continue to rise with extra Title I support and a preschool next year," Lucas said.

Preschool will begin at Cornell starting this coming school year. To register, parents are asked to call Allegheny Intermediate Unit at 412-394-5863 for an application to have their child screened for the program.

Kindergarten Boot Camp will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for three weeks from Aug. 4 through 22.

Kindergarten orientation will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3 .Almost all of the newly registered kindergarten students also have registered for the three-week boot camp.

Parents can call the school 412-264-5010 ext. 141 with questions.