Optimism over plans to implement full-day K

Posted

To the Editor:

As a mother of twin daughters attending kindergarten in Johnston next year, I am very excited that Johnston is planning to implement full-day kindergarten for the 2015-16 school year.

This past week I attended the School Committee’s special meeting, which included a workshop attended by Mayor Polisena and the members of the Johnston Town Council. As a firm proponent of the educational, social and emotional value of full-day K for our children, I was thrilled by the prospect that this long-needed program is at the cusp of becoming a reality. 

As I listened to the presentation and the subsequent discussion I was very heartened to hear such a cacophony of support from our elected leaders. I am particularly grateful to Mayor Polisena for his leadership on this issue. As we all know, cities and towns have been in the teeth of the recent recession. Without his leadership, statesmanship, good sense and fiscal acumen and responsibility, we would not be in such a good position to be able implement this program. I am also thankful for the hard work of the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. DiLullo, and his team for their communication and sound planning.

While everyone present at the meeting knew there would be a price tag attached to this endeavor, I for one walked away with the sense that this can really happen. Full-day kindergarten for all students in Johnston is good for our children, and our public schools are a social and economic engine for the public good. 

Full-day K for all students is a major step toward improving our children’s achievement and assuring educational equity. As a community, we must not only hearken to the vox populi, but we must also listen to our hearts and do the right thing. So, like the mayor said, “let’s roll up our sleeves.”

Kristen Rubino

Johnston

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  • aricci

    The Mayor likes to roll up his sleeves......... Especially when he reaches into the taxpayers pockets! Johnston has one of the highest tax rates in the state, a growing pension and benefit defecit approaching the hundreds of millions, and our "Leaders" decide to spend more. Never underestimate the power of large groups of stupid people.

    Thursday, March 5, 2015 Report this