As a concerned parent and resident of Mt Lebanon, I am writing this petition to urge the Mt Lebanon School District to offer full day kindergarten for all students. Currently, working families in our community are burdened with the additional cost of extended care, and there is no guaranteed placement in the official extended program. This creates logistic and economic hardships on parents who strive to provide the best education for their children while balancing work responsibilities.

I personally understand this struggle as a working parent myself. My 15-month-old son is my pride and joy, and I aspire for him to receive a comprehensive education that sets him up for success. However, the current lack of full day kindergarten options places an unnecessary strain on families like mine.

Research has consistently shown that children benefit from full day kindergarten programs both academically and socially. According to a study conducted by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), students who attended full day kindergarten demonstrated higher levels of reading and math achievement compared to those in half-day programs.

Moreover, studies have also revealed that children attending full day kindergarten exhibit improved social skills such as cooperation, problem-solving abilities, and self-control. These skills are crucial not only in academic settings but also in their future personal and professional lives.

By offering full day kindergarten within our school district, we can ensure that every child receives equal access to quality education without placing an undue financial burden on working families. It is essential that we prioritize educational equity by providing opportunities that foster academic growth from an early age.

Until full day kindergarten can be fully implemented, we call on the Mt Lebanon School district to guarantee placement and fully subsidize the kindergarten program of the Mt Lebanon Expended Day Program (MLEDP).

Therefore, I kindly request your support in signing this petition urging the Mt Lebanon school district to implement full day kindergarten across all schools within our community. Together, we can make a difference by advocating for accessible education options that benefit both our children's development and working parents' economic well-being.

Thank you for your attention and support!

Mike Chernysh