The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) is thrilled to announce that our district has been selected as a recipient of 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 on 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 81 families in Jefferson. The expansion funds will be used to eliminate tuition for existing general education preschool students and convert to a full-day model for all students. We are able to increase services by more than 40% to include approximately 35 additional children from our community in the preschool program. 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.

Families enrolled in the existing program need not take any further action. Families interested in one of the 35 additional spots should complete this form to be included in a lottery drawing. The completed form must be received no later than Monday, November 28th. Families who had previously registered to be included in the lottery need not reapply.

Registration requirements:

• Student must be a resident of Jefferson Township;

• Student must have turned 3 years old before October 1, 2022

• Student must have up-to-date immunization records, a completed health history form, and a medical examination form to be completed by a pediatrician or health care provider.

Families will be notified via email of the status of their application by December 2nd. 

Families entitled to tuition reimbursement are being contacted separately.

Any questions regarding the program can be directed to the building principals of their respective schools:

Lake Hopatcong: Briggs Elementary School, Mrs. Randi DeBrito rdebrito@jefftwp.org
Oak Ridge: Cozy Lake Elementary School, Dr. Timothy Plotts tplotts@jefftwp.org