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For kindergartners at University Park Elementary School, their first day on Aug. 24 offered a lesson in sharing, specifically sharing space with about 30 classmates.

The school's three kindergarten classes have 31, 31 and 30 students, respectively, many more than the ideal 22 to 24, according to Principal Nancy Schickner. Several parents are alarmed by the high numbers and are worried that the dense classrooms could hinder students and teachers.

"My biggest worry ... is whether [students] are going to get enough time with the teacher," said University Park resident David Burns, a father of one of the kindergartners. "Here's one person trying to accommodate the needs of 31 students. That's a huge burden to bear."

Schickner said she has been in regular contact with parents and hopes Prince George's County Schools will grant a fourth teacher, which would lower the school's kindergarten ratio to 23 students per instructor.

She added that she has spoken several times with Marilyn Moreno, county schools' Zone 1 executive director, and that they are both "completely and totally aware of the numbers being so high."

Calls to Moreno's office were referred to schools spokeswoman Tanzi West, who did not return calls by press time.

A new teacher would likely come from another county school or from a list of yet-to-be-assigned teachers already under contract with the county. The county will likely decide by Friday whether to add a teacher, Schickner said, and the instructor could arrive within a "matter of days" after the decision.

Rajani Bhatia — whose 4-year-old son, Milan Bhatia-Guerin, is among the kindergartners — said she is worried the situation could prove stressful for students. Even if a fourth teacher is added, she said, children would once again have to adjust to a new teacher and set of classmates.

"I think kindergarten is a hard enough experience," said Bhatia, who lives in University Park. "It's the first week for these kids ... some of them are criers."

Schickner said she plans to seek help from parent volunteers during the second week, but is "very confident" the school will receive a fourth teacher.

"We have a room all ready to go," Schickner said, "and we can certainly prepare it in no time."

E-mail David Hill at dhill@gazette.net.