PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION IN SUPPORT OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN EDISON, NJ.  PLEASE JOIN US IN VOICING YOUR SUPPORT.  

Why is Full-Day Kindergarten the right move for Edison in 2014/2015?

COMMON CORE STANDARDS:

In the coming 2014-2015 academic year, the State of New Jersey, along with 44 other states, will be fully implementing the Common Core State Standards.   Adoption of these standards is mandated by the State.  They are written and designed for full-day kindergarten programs. These same standards apply for all kindergartners whether or not there is access to full-day or half-day kindergarten.  Currently, Edison township students will be accountable for acquiring their foundation for lifetime learning in half the time.

FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS EXPERIENCE GREATER GAINS IN ACADEMICS:

According to the Children’s Defense Fund (2012), when compared to their half-day peers, students who participate in full-day kindergarten are better prepared for school and are equipped with stronger learning skills.  They show faster gains on literacy and language measures when compared to half-day kindergarten students, have higher academic achievement in later grades, and maintain better attendance in kindergarten and through the primary grades.  Full-day kindergarten students have reduced retention and remediation rates. Longitudinal data also demonstrates that children in full-day classes show greater reading and mathematics achievement gains than those in half-day classes.  The landmark Early Childhood Longitudinal Study found that children in full-day classes were much more likely to spend more than an hour a day on literacy (68% full-day vs. 37% half-day) and mathematics (81% of full-day vs. 52% of half-day) than part-day students.  

FULL-DAY STUDENTS EXPERIENCE GREATER GAINS IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

Children in full-day K programs have more time to participate in meaningful learning activities than children in half-day programs do.  Children who experienced longer programs were better prepared for the transition to first grade, show significant gains in school socialization, and have enhanced social, emotional and behavior development than students in half-day programs (Children's Defense Fund, 2012). 

THE CURRENT KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM SACRIFICES SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Currently, kindergarten students in Edison are keeping up with the standards at the expense of their social-emotional development and instructional methods that foster the love of learning.  By adopting a full-day kindergarten program, Edison will recognize the need for our youngest students to develop into learners, allowing time for exploration and play.  A full-day program helps build social skills, enhances the joy of learning, and provides children with exposure to other curriculums (e.g., Social Studies, Science, and the Arts).  A longer program provides our young students with time for play, exploration, and mastery. 

MOST NEW JERSEY SCHOOL DISTRICTS OFFER FULL-DAY K:

In the 2012-2013 school year, majority of New Jersey  kindergartners were in full-day kindergarten, compared with very little of kindergarten students in 1999-2000. 

EDISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE REKNOWNED FOR THEIR HIGH CALIBER AND FULL DAY K IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL VISION:

Our public education supports our high property values, and has, in part, helped the town weather the dramatic effects of the housing crisis evidenced more significantly throughout the State.  Support of Full-Day Kindergarten is in keeping with our high educational standards.

FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN IS A QUALITY INVESTMENT: 

Research demonstrates that investment in quality early education has a rate of return as high as $3 for every $1 invested.  Implementation of full-day kindergarten can be a cost-savings mechanism to reduce rates of retention and expensive remedial programs, such as special education services and referral to specialists to remedy gaps in learning.

THE CASE FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IS STRONG AND SO IS THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY.  PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION IN SUPPORT OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN EDISON TODAY.  PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHER EDISON RESIDENTS.  

To: 

Edison Township, NJ Board of Education 

PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM, BEGINNING IN THE 2014 or 2015 SCHOOL YEAR.  

Majority of New jersey school distric offers full day kindergarten. Many parents show their interest to file a petition to raise their voice for the support of full day kindergarten in Edison, NJ. I have created a petition to the Edison Township Board of Education asking them to support full day kindergarten program. Please click on the link below and sign the petition, and pass this along to friends and neighbors. Note that your personal information will not be marketed to third parties, and the privacy policy of the hosting website, Change.Org, can be found via this link: https://www.change.org/about/privacy

The petition will be presented to the Superintendent Dr. Richard O'Malley, and an email will be sent out to all who signed, inviting them to attend any meeting and help deliver our message. 
Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you,