Parents Expand Push for Full-Day Kindergarten

A group of Bridgewater and Raritan parents hoping to get the school district to expand kindergarten classes is using a petition on Change.Org to build support.

With 219 signatures currently, the petition is viewed as "the best way to illustrate that the community wants this change and will continue to engage until every option is fully explored."

"Over the past several months, members of our group have voiced their opinions at Board of Education meetings, requested time with school administrators to share ideas, and looked for opportunities to work together," parent Jaime Pear said. "As a group, we decided that a petition was the best way to illustrate that the community wants this change and will continue to engage until every option is fully explored."

When asked at board meetings, the board has generally expressed support for expanding kindergarten but have deferred further study on the subject until after a demographer's report on future enrollment projects for the district is completed and studied by the board. The report is due in February. 

The complete text of the petition states: The children of the Bridgewater-Raritan school district deserve the same educational foundation as their cohorts across the county. We can no longer hide behind the patchwork of solutions parents are desperately trying to stitch together so that their children do not fall behind in their cognitive or social/emotional development. We must explore a public school program that meets the needs of ALL children, for ALL families. Sign this petition to demonstrate your support for full day Kindergarten in the Bridgewater-Raritan school district. Join the over 200 members who have been organizing for this important cause since August 2013 by visiting "Bridgewater-Raritan Parents for Full Day Kindergarten" on Facebook. Our children need true heroes—will you be one?