Jefferson Township Public Schools Awarded Preschool Expansion Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ: The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) is thrilled to announce that our district has been selected as a recipient for funding through the NJDOE Preschool Education Aid (PEA). These funds have been allocated to integrate six high-quality, full-day preschool classrooms right here in Jefferson Township, at no extra cost to taxpayers.
The program is scheduled to begin January 3, 2023. Our staff has been working behind the scenes in anticipation of receiving these funds, hiring staff, and preparing space. Three of these preschool classes will be housed at Cozy Lake Elementary School and three will be located at Ellen T. Briggs Elementary School.
“It is wonderful to be able to expand our preschool program and provide early childhood education to families in our community at no cost to our families,” stated Jeanne Howe, Superintendent, upon hearing our district will be receiving the funding.
The district currently provides tuition-based, half-day general education preschool services to a limited number of students in Jefferson. The expansion funds will be used to eliminate tuition and convert to a full-day model, opening the program up to approximately 35 additional children in our community. Our hopes for the next 3-5 years are to offer free, high-quality, full-day early learning programming to all three- and four-year olds in Jefferson Township, building a strong foundation for learning and success.
Immediate plans:
2022-2023 SY: (January-June) Ellen T. Briggs and Cozy Lake Elementary Schools will utilize existing space to accommodate the program. No students will be displaced as a result. All half-day preschool programs will transition to full-day and transportation will be provided for all preschool students.
2023-2024 SY: (September) It is anticipated that first-grade sections will be relocated to White Rock and Arthur Stanlick Elementary Schools.
