Every summer, Lakewood parents face the same challenge.

Boys finish school on one date. Girls finish on another. Some camps begin while other children are still in school. Camps end on different dates. Some schools resume with half days while others don't begin until later.

For families with several children, especially households where both parents work, the result is weeks of unnecessary scheduling difficulties and childcare gaps.

We believe there is a better way.

We are asking Lakewood's Roshei Yeshiva, school administrators, school owners and camp directors to work together toward a Unified Lakewood Summer Calendar.

This does not mean that every mosad needs to have an identical calendar. Every school and camp has its own needs and considerations.

Rather, we are asking that the major summer transition dates be coordinated as much as reasonably possible, particularly:

School ending dates

Day camp starting dates

Day camp ending dates

School reopening dates

A small amount of communitywide coordination could make an enormous difference for thousands of Lakewood families.

Lakewood's mosdos have accomplished extraordinary things by working together when something benefits the community. We respectfully ask our schools and camps to come together and see whether the summer calendar can be coordinated as well.

If you are a Lakewood parent who would benefit from a more coordinated summer schedule, please sign and share this petition.

Our goal is simple:

Fewer unnecessary gaps. More coordination. One community.