ST. CLOUD - Minnesota House Speaker Paul Thissen and Representative Zach Dorholt visited Talahi Community School on Wednesday to highlight all-day kindergarten starting this year.

New Talahi principal Kate Flynn gave a tour of the school for Thissen and Dorholt. The group discussed classroom changes going into effect this year, including all-day kindergarten and early childhood programs.

Thissen says kids who have access to all-day kindergarden have a better chance to succeed in school in the future.

During the tour, Flynn emphasized that Talhi has been improving as a school over the last few years and that they're looking to continue to close the achievement gap this year. Dorholt says the schools future is looking better and better every year.

After the tour, Thissen says he was impressed with the direction the school is going.

Flynn brings 27 years of experience in St. Paul schools to Talahi. She was most recently the principal of Mississippi Creative Arts School.

Talahi will now have four classrooms dedicated to all-day kindergarten this year.

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