Why Bridgewater-Raritan Needs Full Day Kindergarten

It has recently been noted in the newest data by New Jersey Department of Education's Fall Survey on enrollment that in Somerset County, we have 16 school districts and 12 currently offer Full Day Kindergarten, with an additional one offering it starting in Fall of 2014. That leaves, Bridgewater-Raritan amongst only three districts still not offering Full Day K. So why do we need Full Day K? 

I'd like to start by quoting former NEA President Reg Weaver:

"Kindergarten is a magical time in a child’s life. During kindergarten, children learn to get along with each other, they discover the joy and challenge of reading and writing, and they learn what it means to be in school.We know that kindergarten is a key “bridge year” for children—a year for children to move from unstructured play and early learning to the more structured learning environment of formal schooling.

For children to grow and thrive in kindergarten, they need a few very simple things: they need care and attention from their teacher and education support professionals; they need developmentally appropriate activities that engage them as young learners; and they need time to process information and to move between activities. Quality full-day kindergarten programs ensure that children have the time and attention they need from their teachers to be successful learners.

Kindergarten teachers prefer full-day kindergarten to half-day kindergarten. Studies show that parents prefer full-day kindergarten as well. States and communities should support these views and provide resources to ensure that quality full-day kindergarten programs are available to every child. This includes resources for providing teachers and education support professionals with the training and support they need to succeed in kindergarten classrooms.

Today approximately 60 percent of America’s children attend full-day kindergarten—it’s time that we make full-day kindergarten available to all of America’s children!" - Reg Weaver, NEA

This issue is has been brought up before here in BR, but there is now a large group of parents organizing to ensure that this becomes a reality for our children as well. More and more parents are beginning to educate themselves on the new challenges faced to our schools and children on the Common Core Standards. 

Jamie Pear, a mom of two, said "I believe full time kindergarten is important on so many levels. Personally I want my children to have the same opportunities as the other roughly 70% of children in the state. While my family was able to afford to pay for a private program for the afternoon, many do not have that ability and as a community we should not accept this inequality. Even with our family's "privilege", my child misses out on learning while he wastes time each day being transported from one program to another, adjusting to the rules, culture and expectations of each setting, etc. He also does not get to explore all areas of learning: his public school teacher said that she will not be able to do much science (my child's favorite subject) due to the time constraints."

Research shows that Full Day K helps close achievement gaps. Attempting to repair reading skills in fourth grade is far more expensive and risky than guaranteeing good reading skills in Kindergarten. Right now, our half day program offers children HALF the time to work on major subject areas than Full Day does. 

The NEA has often said Full-day kindergarten is a sound educational investment. Research demonstrates that full-day kindergarten, though initially more costly than half-day kindergarten, is worth the expense. Full- day kindergarten not only boosts students’ academic achievement, it strengthens their social and emotional skills as well. Additionally, it offers benefits to teachers and parents—teachers have more time to work with and get to know students, and parents have access to better teaching and care for their children. Everyone gains! 

Maria Sandborg, of Bridgewater commented "It is a terrible that we expect children to rise up to expectations (Core Common Standards) without providing common experiences right here in our own District. Our District is extremely diverse. We have a two tier system...parents that can afford full day private Kindergarten for their children, and those that can not....we need all our children from Raritan, Bridgewater and Martinsville to have the opportunity to start off and excel."

A parent and teacher here in BR recently express to me that the new Common Core Standards are quite demanding as children who don't have full-day kindergarten are at a disadvantage. "The Common Core expects mastery. It doesn't spiral. How can children who are only there half day master the same skills as those who receive full day? Not to mention stamina. They need the build stamina so they can be ready for all of the work in first grade as well."

It is clear that parents believe that BR needs to keep competitive with area districts, meet the demands of the Common Core, and that all children will have an equitable foundation. If we want Bridgewater to remain an attractive place for families, we have to be proactive and realize the educational and socioeconomic ramifications of part time kindergarten.

As a parent of a current Kindergartener here in BR and with one coming up the ranks, I want Full Day K to be a reality...and I'm prepared to help find a way to make it happen. If you're interested in joining the movement, see the flyer below and join us on Facebook!