The New Kensington Arnold School District plans to cut Full Day Kindergarten.  Longitudinal studies have proven that Full Day Kindergarten provides higher and unmatchable results in Mathematics, Language and Social skills.  **Note that longitudinal studies show results over a long period of time and display more accurate results.  These types of studies were not considered during the decision process to eliminate the Full Day Kindergarten program.  Education is the basis for improvement of our community.  Let's not cheat our kids nor our community.

By signing this petition you agree that the NKASD should offer Full Day Kindergarten.

Reasons why Full Day Kindergarten is important:

1.  Studies have shown that math, language and social skills all have long term benefits from Full Day kindergarten programs verses Half Day Kindergarten programs.

2.  State funding is figured by a formula for each child enrolled in the school district.  NKASD will lose further funding in years to come if they change to a half-day kindergarten program because each child enrolled in a half-day program is calculated as 0.5 instead of 1 according to the state formula.  This will mean further cuts to our already stripped educational institutions.

3. The NKASD will also have an additional cost for double transportation mid-day to drop off am students and pick up pm students.

4.  Also, there will be higher numbers of absences due to complications related to half-day school programs.

Please sign the petition to let the NKASD school officials and our local and state officials know that we need to keep All Day kindergarten programs for our children and the future of our community.

“What greater or better gift can we offer the republic than to teach and instruct our youth? [Lat., Quod enim munus reiplicae afferre majus, meliusve possumus, quam si docemus atque erudimus juventutem?]” ~Cicero

link to proposed pa education cuts for 2011-2012 sch yr:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/education_budget/8699/summary_of_state_appropriations_for_education/539258

link to pa accountability block grant information and formula

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/grants_and_subsidies/7207/pa-pact_information/507147

links to studies on the benefits of full day kindergarten programs vs half day kindergarten programs

http://www.doe.in.gov/primetime/fulldaykbenefits.html​

http://www.mespa.net/Kindergarten.html​

http://www.cgcs.org/UE/March07.pdf​

http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/po-05-01.pdf