Jordan-Elbridge welcomes pre-K program to 3-year-old students
The pre-kindergarten program in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District will now be expanded to 3-year-old students. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that a total of $10.4 million has been awarded to 25 school districts across the state to increase access to quality pre-kindergarten programs, and JE is one of the recipients.
Elbridge Elementary already has more than 60 students in its all-day pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-old students.
“I’m ecstatic about the opportunities that this grant will provide to our youngest learners,” said Superintendent James Froio. “At Jordan-Elbridge, school now begins at 3 years old. What a tremendous benefit to the young families in our school district.”
According to Gov. Cuomo’s office, funding was awarded to school districts based on the quality of a grant application and other factors, including district and student need, efforts to target the highest need students, and efforts to maximize the total number of children served in pre-kindergarten programs.
State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said in a press release that state educators know that pre-kindergarten makes a “huge difference” in preparing children for school.
Studies from the National Institute for Early Education Research show that children who participate in high quality early childhood education programs have higher cognitive test scores from the toddler years to age 21, higher academic achievement in both reading and math, and are more likely to attend a four-year college and be gainfully employed.
Froio said the district hopes to have the expanded pre-kindergarten program up and running by Jan. 1, 2017. He said the program will include readiness skills and plenty of time for unstructured play which is critical to building good social skills at an early age.
In the near future, the district will hold informational meetings for parents to explain the details of the program. Please check the district website for details.
