SAVE FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN

One of the proposed budget cuts for Middle Country School District FY 2012-2013 budget is the elimation of full-day kindergarten.

This petition is intended to convey Middle Country School leaders that this proposal is unacceptable for a mulitude of reasons.

1.  Viewing half-day kindergarten as a vehicle for saving shortsighted. Research shows that investment in quality early childhood education generates returns of 3 to 1 or more by lowering grade retention and drop out rates in later years.

2.  It is unwarranted to consider eliminating full-day kindergarten as part of the proposed 2012/ 2013 budget cuts as it is an essential component of the academic foundation provided within the elementary school setting.

3.  Full-day kindergarten builds strong reading and math skills and provides our youngest students with crucial instructional time to prepare them well for the challenging MCCSD curriculum. Children in full-day score significantly higher on both math and reading standardized achievement tests.

4.  Teachers report that the full-day format allows them to address state standards more effectively and address the needs of students with differing abilities.

5.  All residents of the county benefit from the recongnized strength of MCCSD. Eliminating full-day kindergarten would be a giant step back and would have resounding negative long-term consequences.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION TO SAVE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AND TO PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF OUR SCHOOLS IN MCCSD.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION, CONFIRM AND CLICK THE ORANGE BUTTON FOR YOUR SIGNATURE TO APPEAR AND PASS IT ON.

Thanks
Dina