Prevent the Cancellation of StrongStart Program in Surrey, BC
Prevent the Cancellation of StrongStart Program in Surrey, BC
The Issue
As residents of Surrey, BC, Canada, I am deeply concerned about the potential cancellation of StrongStart in our city. This program is not just another initiative; it is a vital life learning experience for our youngest citizens aged 0-5 years. The benefits that these children gain from participating in this program are immeasurable and will impact their lives significantly.
StrongStart provides an environment where children can learn through play and exploration. It helps them develop language skills, fine motor skills, social-emotional learning and much more at a critical stage of their development. According to data from the Early Development Instrument (EDI), 33% of children in BC are not ready for school by age 5 - this figure highlights the importance of programs like StrongStart.) With participation in early learning programs like StrongStart, it can increase literacy rates by up to 20% among young learners (source: ECE). This is just one example among many illustrating how vital these programs are for our children's future success.
Moreover, it's not just about education; it's also about community building. Families attending StrongStart Schools in Surrey have access to information about other community programs and services for young children.
As parents of three young children, I have personally experienced the transformative impact of the StrongStart program. My eldest child, now 6 years old, participated in this program and demonstrated tremendous growth in his development. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, my second child missed out on this opportunity initially. Once she was able to attend StrongStart after things opened up again, I witnessed a significant change in her growth and development that had been previously stunted due to isolation at home during lockdowns.
StrongStart is an invaluable resource for children aged 0-5 years living in Surrey. It provides them with an excellent life learning experience that sets a solid foundation for their future education and social skills. The cancellation of such a beneficial program would be detrimental not only to my youngest child who has yet to benefit from it but also countless other children within our community.
The cancellation would mean denying our future generation these essential early learning opportunities that could shape their entire lives positively. Therefore, we must stand together as a community to prevent this decision from being implemented.
We urge the Surrey School Board, Ministry of Education, the School Trustee, the Superintendent, the MLAs and all parties involved not only consider the immediate benefits, but also long-term impacts when making decisions about such crucial services as StrongStart. Please do not cancel this essential program that shapes our youngest citizens' lives so profoundly. Sign this petition today and stand with us as we fight for our children's right to quality early education!
Best regards,
Peter Shen and Grace Xie – Surrey residents and parents of 3 young children
****APRIL 18 UPDATES****
What is StrongStart? If you have attended a StrongStart program or know of Families who have attended StrongStart please share your stories and memories of StrongStart.
You can upload here https://www.dropbox.com/request/Rmzvi1UmSnRFSvZsk2QW
****APRIL 16 UPDATE****
Unfortunately, the BC government does not accept Change.org’s petition as it is not “official”. We have uploaded the B.C. Legistative petition form here. WE NEED AT LEAST 3000 SIGNATURES BY WEDNESDAY APRIL 24. We would appreciate it if everyone can print the B.C. legislature petition form, complete and sign it, you could spread the word and get everyone that you know to sign it.
As per the instruction, the form has to be submitted as a hardcopy. No scanning, faxing or emailing. Drop off the form at any SURREY StrongStart location during the opening hours. If this is too challenging, I encourage you all to go to one of the SURREY StrongStart to sign the petition.
Again, here is the link to the form:
With much gratitude,
Peter and Grace
***The city of Coquitlam needs your support as well to save their StrongStart programs! Please sign their petition and make a comment on how StrongStart has impacted you and your family.***
https://www.change.org/p/preserve-strong-start-program-in-sd43-coquitlam-school-district
Please see news link below for more information:
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/04/08/surrey-parents-strongstart-program-rally/
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/surrey-early-education-program-at-risk-of-closing-1.6810041
3,966
The Issue
As residents of Surrey, BC, Canada, I am deeply concerned about the potential cancellation of StrongStart in our city. This program is not just another initiative; it is a vital life learning experience for our youngest citizens aged 0-5 years. The benefits that these children gain from participating in this program are immeasurable and will impact their lives significantly.
StrongStart provides an environment where children can learn through play and exploration. It helps them develop language skills, fine motor skills, social-emotional learning and much more at a critical stage of their development. According to data from the Early Development Instrument (EDI), 33% of children in BC are not ready for school by age 5 - this figure highlights the importance of programs like StrongStart.) With participation in early learning programs like StrongStart, it can increase literacy rates by up to 20% among young learners (source: ECE). This is just one example among many illustrating how vital these programs are for our children's future success.
Moreover, it's not just about education; it's also about community building. Families attending StrongStart Schools in Surrey have access to information about other community programs and services for young children.
As parents of three young children, I have personally experienced the transformative impact of the StrongStart program. My eldest child, now 6 years old, participated in this program and demonstrated tremendous growth in his development. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, my second child missed out on this opportunity initially. Once she was able to attend StrongStart after things opened up again, I witnessed a significant change in her growth and development that had been previously stunted due to isolation at home during lockdowns.
StrongStart is an invaluable resource for children aged 0-5 years living in Surrey. It provides them with an excellent life learning experience that sets a solid foundation for their future education and social skills. The cancellation of such a beneficial program would be detrimental not only to my youngest child who has yet to benefit from it but also countless other children within our community.
The cancellation would mean denying our future generation these essential early learning opportunities that could shape their entire lives positively. Therefore, we must stand together as a community to prevent this decision from being implemented.
We urge the Surrey School Board, Ministry of Education, the School Trustee, the Superintendent, the MLAs and all parties involved not only consider the immediate benefits, but also long-term impacts when making decisions about such crucial services as StrongStart. Please do not cancel this essential program that shapes our youngest citizens' lives so profoundly. Sign this petition today and stand with us as we fight for our children's right to quality early education!
Best regards,
Peter Shen and Grace Xie – Surrey residents and parents of 3 young children
****APRIL 18 UPDATES****
What is StrongStart? If you have attended a StrongStart program or know of Families who have attended StrongStart please share your stories and memories of StrongStart.
You can upload here https://www.dropbox.com/request/Rmzvi1UmSnRFSvZsk2QW
****APRIL 16 UPDATE****
Unfortunately, the BC government does not accept Change.org’s petition as it is not “official”. We have uploaded the B.C. Legistative petition form here. WE NEED AT LEAST 3000 SIGNATURES BY WEDNESDAY APRIL 24. We would appreciate it if everyone can print the B.C. legislature petition form, complete and sign it, you could spread the word and get everyone that you know to sign it.
As per the instruction, the form has to be submitted as a hardcopy. No scanning, faxing or emailing. Drop off the form at any SURREY StrongStart location during the opening hours. If this is too challenging, I encourage you all to go to one of the SURREY StrongStart to sign the petition.
Again, here is the link to the form:
With much gratitude,
Peter and Grace
***The city of Coquitlam needs your support as well to save their StrongStart programs! Please sign their petition and make a comment on how StrongStart has impacted you and your family.***
https://www.change.org/p/preserve-strong-start-program-in-sd43-coquitlam-school-district
Please see news link below for more information:
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/04/08/surrey-parents-strongstart-program-rally/
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/surrey-early-education-program-at-risk-of-closing-1.6810041
3,966
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Petition created on April 5, 2024