This is so wonderful for the children! Great job by the BOE!

I could not be happier! Not only is it full day, but you have put them back in the elementary schools, right where they belong. Excellent job BOE! You are all doing a wonderful job of changing what is not working. Thank you for the new math and reading programs as well.

Thank goodness! Now our kids will be able to meet the rigorous state standards for Kindergarten. And for those who will complain about the money spent, there is so much research that proves that every dollar spent on early childhood education gets paid back to society at greater gains than anyone is making in other investments. And the state is only a couple votes away from making mandatory anyway.

while the PLC concept was cutting-edge for its time, like most things, the passage of time has caused major changes in our world and its needs. however, i always supported the idea of keeping the kidnergartners in their home school - the advantages of staying put were tremendous (in my mind) so i am glad to see them returning to their base --

Excited that I will not have to send my son to private kindergarden, and hopeful they will offer pre-school options at the PLC as well. Good work BOE !

I have mixed feelings about this, as a Parent of an upcoming kindergarten student, I guess full day is a good thing, although I'm not sure if a good case was made for it. As a taxpayer I ask myself how can they pass something without knowing the cost or potential savings (if any). When they mention state aid figures, they need to remember those numbers are not guaranteed, and any deviation in aid will fall onto the taxpayer to cover.

"There was no cost estimate given for the program, since state aid figures for the coming school year have not yet been announced. But new teachers will be hired. Still, the cost of the plan could be offset by transportation savings as well as revenue generation from the PLC, officials said."

I'd love to see the PLC utilized as a special ed/ preschool building.

Welcome to the 80's, Brick! Ridiculous it has taken this long.

Now on to the next challenge...IMPLEMENT SCHOOL UNIFORMS. Many other districts have done this. It saves parents money and eliminates a major distraction in the classroom. What will it take to get this done?

One of the better decisions made. Congratulations.

I attended the BOE meeting but did not make any comments as there were too many that prolonged the meeting. I am submitting mine to be read at your leisure; it was interesting to listen to the presentation accurately and effectively delivered be misinterpreted and the focus move toward a detail that had irrelevant impact on whether to have full day kindergarten or half day. My grandson will attend kindergarten in Brick but was not born in Brick, therefore is part of the statistic analysis of the presentation. When making a decision it is usually helpful to ascertain the problem, learning opportunities and addressing the apparent gap would seem to me to be the addressed with the full day kindergarten. The astute selection of the Math Essentials and Journey reading program there are requirements for kindergarten that require a full day program. The basis of the education experience is built upon blocks of learning from years ago that have been refined, embellished and created a craft for the education community to collaborate, nurture and innovate. Congratulations on your following a path beneficial to children.

2 + 2 = 5

The earlier the children learn that Obama is their king , the better for all.

14 babysitters just hit the public lottery. And the sheep are happy that their child spends an extra 3 hours away from them while they shop and eat out.

We will have the smartest children in the world in 13 short years , too bad they will not be able to afford the property taxes in Bricktucky.

Familiarize yourself with the rigors of the kindergarten curriculum and you will no longer refer to teachers as babysitters. Perhaps when you were 5, you played with clay and colored in school....I can assure you those days are long gone.

A math and science school would be a great use of the building. The area is saturated with pre-schools already. We need to be able to compete with other districts and having a math and science special high school will help get the Brick schools out of the bottom third of the state were they rank now. Be innovative for a change!

The problem with schools today are they are too soft on students. I went into my Son's six grade class and they have snowmen hanging on the walls that the students made. Funny thing is that when I went into my 4 year old Son's preschool they had the same thing.

When I was younger (in the 70's) I went to catholic school in NYC for a few years. I recently looked at a picture of my 2nd grade class. There were 43 students in the class taught by a Nun that had to be in her late 60's. Today folks complain when the classroom get way to big, by big I mean close to 20 students....

@fd We already have the building and the staff. I have news for you, if the schools in this town don't improve, the value of are homes, which are already decreased due to Sandy, will continue to plummet. Let's try to be cutting edge in this town for once and place value on our kids, their future and the future of this town. Full day kindergarten is a step in the right direction! Don't compare today to the 70's!

I must be the only parent that is not happy about this. I don't mind half day kindergarten. I've had one of my kids attend half day and I have no issue with working on skills with him at home. And I have little ones that have yet to go into kindergarten. I like that the kindergarteners are seperated from the older kids. I know that kindergerten is not what is used to be and that the kids are expected to know more entering school and learn more while there. However, it seems to me that these decisions are being pushed by parents wanting free full day care for their kids sooner. I know that's not the case for everyone, but it just seems like the elephant in the room while parents pretend its about education. I guess for many of these kids, they've been in full time daycare for years, so there's no concern on the parent's part about full day kindergarten, and now that the public school is providing it, the parents don't have to foot the bill. Especially if they are renting. There's no worry about how this will eventually effect taxes. I'm sure this opinion will tick a lot of people off....

@ fd I am sure they can take some from the both highschools and hire a handful more for the advanced classes they would be able to provide. I think it is a win-win for the town. Just think we need to take the Brick schools in a new direction and this idea seems very cutting edge and great for our educational system. Seems like the board and the new super are starting to think "outside of the box" which is refreshing.

While I understand with most families having both parents working, this will help them out with child care costs, I am happy both my boys went to the PLC & it was only a half of a day. They're only kids for so long. OH and for the record, there is no law that the kids HAVE to go to Kindergarten.

This makes me sad. My daughter was in the first class that went to the PLC and I thought it was wonderful to separate the kindergarten children and I'm still an advocate for half day kindergarten. After reading the article and following comments regarding the need to strengthen the curriculum for kindergarten and 1st grade, I feel sorry for the children. Children that young learn from playing. Anyone who knows me will vouch that I was a psycho parent pushing for only the best for my daughter. I can name some Osbornville teachers that would probably remember me after all these years. Everyone needs to remember that they are little children. I do not believe that they need to be in school all day. I think this is more of a convenience for parents then it is that the children need to be in class for 6 hours. For everyone who says it is needed for your child to be successful, my daughter did half day kindergarten and attended Osbornville and now she is in her third year at Johns Hopkins University and has been on the dean's list since her freshman year. She did not have a tv in her bedroom nor did she have an xbox or wii. She had involved parents.

Well done BOE! Very good decision that will benefit the students!

I don't agree with this at all. I think its wonderful that they go half day with children their own age. They are so young, I think it is too much on them to go all day. If parents would take more time at home to teach their children what they need to be learning and not rely on just the teachers, they will be just fine.

I have 5 children. My first child we lived in a different town and she had full day kindergarten she seemed to learn alot more (she had minor learning disabilities) and she is an honor roll student today. My second child is a special needs child and we were in Brick at the time he went to kindergarten and he had a longer half day but he would of definitely benefited from a full day kindergarten because of his special needs. My other three children won't start kindergarten until 2014, 2016, 2017. I am excited for this because I believe that the children will definitely benefit from the longer day of learning.

Everyone seems to be ok with this. I do like that the children will now be in their elementary schools, however I am not happy with the full day at all. My son will be going to Kindergarten in 2014 & I don't want him in full day. I was perfectly happy with him going 1/2 day. I do feel that the 1/2 day should have been at least 1 hour longer. It was too short of a day. But full day is a huge transition. The transition from a cpl hours of preschool 3 days a week (sometimes only 1 year before kindergarten) to 5 full days doesn't set easy with me. I also don't like the fact of him on the bus with older kids. Not happy at all!

Though I am a fan of full day kindergarten its implimentation should wait till the reevaluetion of property taxes for next year. The district will be losing money, how much we don't know. How does the BOE rationalize no increase in taxes, loss of funding, and an increase of about a millon? Unless the state comes up big I don't see how this will work.

WM
I do not agree with the outcome for full day Kindergarten, Not every family has two working parents, for the ones who work of course are happy about this, for the Mom's who stay home with their kids this is going to be a very long day for these 5 years old. I have two older children and half day kindergarten was enough and it did not effect their learing as they do very well in school. Your putting 5 year olds on the bus with kids up to 11 years old, my daughter had trouble with the older kids when she was in 1st grade. This was not in the best interest of these kids it's about the money, what's the difference Brick's taxes go up every year anyway, I can not wait to move out of this town.

Parents who oppose full day k should understand that children do not need to attend kindergarten by law. If they prefer, they can send their child to a private kindergarten that is only half day. I think people who are saying that their kid is too young for this are being selfish and not wanting their child to grow up. Five year olds are perfectly able to be in school for a full day. The parents just need to come to grips with it and let them grow up.

^^I don't need to "get a grip" & I am not selfish. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, there is no need to say comments like this. No need at all. Not wanting my child in full day Kindergarten isn't saying I don't want him to grow up.

To all of those that have a problem with full day Kindergarten.....the time and place to complain was at the meeting last night. I, for one, have already enrolled my son in a full day Kindergarten thru a private school. I did, however, still attend the BOE meeting to hear what was happening with our town. I was appalled to see the lack of turnout. And quite frankly, half of the 30ish people who were actually there, were NOT there for the Kindergarten on the agenda. You cannot complain if you've done nothing to try and prevent it.

I think they've been working on this for many months and since we are in the minority with our half day kindergarten, we are now going to be competing with the rest of the state. I only see that as a positive for Brick. I would not be surprised if we also had district Preschool before 2015.

My kids both went to the PLC. It was a great school and a good concept but to keep up with the demands of the new Common Core standards for the state and the nation, we need full day kindergarten. Two hours is not enough time to teach all the material needed. Plus now the students will get specials back and the teachers will be able to enrich what they teach because the now have the gift of time. If you want to blame anyone for the need of full day kindergarten, blame the people who create the common core standards. The knowledge each student needs by a certain grade has increased greatly. Good job Brick BOE and please now focus on making our high school better and get our ranking and test scores up. A step in the right direction is full day kindergarten and I love making the PLC a specialized school like they have all over Monmouth County.

Alison, I was at the meeting last night and I was quite surprised that the vote for Full day kindergarten took place. It was not on the agenda. What was on the agenda was the presentation by the demographer. Nothing about a vote. And Mr. Finelli questioned why the vote was taking place when it was not on the agenda. I think it is wonderful that there is going to be full day kindergarten and that so many children will benefit. I feel bad that my children will not. However, I have to say that I thought it was unnerving that the administrators sitting in the audience had no idea that this vote was taking place or that the PLC was no longer going to be used as an elementary school. As a parent of a special needs child I also find that leaving 5 special education kindergarten classes in the PLC will not benefit those children. Many special needs children do better when they have the opportunity to mainstream in regular classes and now they will not have that. I have met many wonderful administrators and teachers at the PLC over the years and the fact that they knew nothing about this until last nights meeting was very disrespectful. Had any of this been on the agenda maybe they would not have been as surprised. But I have also found after attending Board of Education meetings that this Board and new administration have their own agenda.

Almost all schools in New Jersey have kindergarten in their elementary schools. Not a good arguement.

Very disappointed to hear the news. I agree with the others... A five year old does not belong in school for that length of time. Let's be real...adding lunch, a special, and recess to the day is not going to be leaving a lot of extra room for academics. How much more does a 5 year old need?? I think we need to focus our time on raising our children to be respectful and kind to others at this age instead of all the pressures put on them...which they have their entire life to deal with. Looking for a 1/2 day kindergarten program....any suggestions would be wonderful!

my child goes to lanes mill school her bus picks her up at 805 shecomes home at 305 i dont get where some parents are sayin 830 till 430 that seems a liitle off.... also the plc should be used for the preschool they will make so much money...every year they hold a lottery and there always a big demand for it...plus afterschool care which is like 20 dollars a day...i hope they keep the EEC though where it is at....my daughter attends the special ed class there...

I agree with full day kindergarten. What I have a probem with is these little ones on buses with much older children. In this day and age with all that transpires in schools I believe the 5yr old should go on the bus only wiith first graders no older.

I am not thrilled about the bus situation either....maybe they can enforce assigned seats....little ones in the front seats. Usually the big kids want to sit in the back anyway.

Bussing is a privilege that many other school districts don't have. It's not mandatory. I had no intentions of putting my daughter on a bus with all kindergarten children. SInce they will be back in neighboring towns I think it would be an even easier choice to drop off and pick up. Plus, I think there is a better line of communication when families see the teacher every day, if they can.

I think its great that they will be going full time. If anyone remembers years ago when the kindergarden was half day and in their home schools they came in with all the other children on the same bus, then at noon they were taken home and the pm picked up then the pm went home with all the other children on the bus at the end of the day. Most of the state kindergardeners are going full time, I think only about 20% are half day now.

Ok, so now I speak as one who not only taught kindergarten for many years but first grade for many years as well. I do stay home to raise my children and trust me I understand the sacrifices it takes to do so... Fortunate and Thankful is an understatement!  My disappointment in this new way of the world is simply the fact that a 5 year old can handle what a 5 year old can handle!  For SOME, the transition to a Full Time job will be ok!  BUT, for MOST it is just going to be an exhausting and hard road ahead!  In my past experience, kindergarten students have a tough enough time adjusting to simple routine.  It is usually about January/February that these little guys come into their own!  My opinion, they are still babies... nothing to do with their intelligence level...it is the lack of maturity of the average 5 year old.  As a first grade teacher, most of the issues again come after lunch when they literally shut down.  Why??...because their little brains are on overload.  Let's remember some just turned 6 and some haven't even turned 6 yet.  Again a lot of crying because reality has set in...the day is just long.  Somewhere around January this starts to subside.  Everyone has a right to an opinion.  I'm just stating facts.  Like I stated in a previous post I will be hoping to find a half day program.  I am not going to frustrate my children when it is completely unnecessary. I am confident that adding more hours to a day will not define my child's future!!!

Interesting in theory. Without facts or figures this may prove to be a worthy effort with adverse impact on our community. How much are the associated funding cost for this program and can the child at that age favorably transition into a full-day?

JD I did not fail to acknowledge that many kids are in daycare/ preschool. If fact, I am now on round 2 of sending my children to preschool even being a stay at home mom and not carrying a full time " paid" job! They started at 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours and when they turned 4, 3 days for 2 1/2 hours. I am very well aware that I am in the minority! I do not appreciate your arrogance in assuming I have not taught both kindergarten and first grade for 9 plus years before having a family of my own! I am happy for you if you are for the full day program and wish success to the entire idea! From my past experiences AND YES I DO HAVE EXPERIENCE the majority of children will have a difficult time transitioning! And PS if you fully read the article instead of bashing other there WILL NOT be nap time!

My older daughter went to private kindergarten, which was full day. She was young for the grade and I was worried about how she would deal with a full day class. It was fine. None of the kids were suffering for being there for a full day. I think as long as the parents do their part at home as far as getting the child to bed at an early time and give them a good breakfast, they are fine to have a full day of learning.

The PLC is a great school! My son attended the PLC the last year they offered the specials (art, gym, library, music, and science). My daughter attends the PLC now. I have no complaints, it is a wonderful place. I will be sad to see it come to an end.

Just what I need a tax increase on top of Acrapolis will throw at us. It is time to stop and start over.

They need to stop running for political office and start doing that what it is educationally correct for students.

I agree with you Jerseyclone. I wish I knew what this was going to cost. I feel with all that happened to so many during Hurricane Sandy, that should be our top priority right now. This full day Kindergarten could have waited until next year. I think it's great for the kids to go full day, but without knowing the costs I have to be very skeptical. And very disappointed that no one involved in kindergarten other than the Board Members or Board Office knew this was happening. The teachers and PLC admin. were kept in the dark.

It's a good thing! The kids will adjust. 2 1/2 hours the kids currently go isn't nearly enough time. Between getting the kids off the bus. Snack time, play time and getting the kids bundled back up on the buses ect... How much time is left in the day for instruction?

Alison. you seem to have a lot to say , but not very consistent.First you say not one person spoke out against full day k.,then it changed to not one parent.Then you think Mr Finelli should move out of Brick because he asked questions and attends T.C.meetings.Im sure I heard him say he was not against what they did,but how they did it.Maybe people don't come to the meetings because of people like you or because whatever they say won't matter.OH, and I think he is the person who tells the school board what goes on at town council meeting like the Pilot program at the Foodtown site that could screw the the school district out of $500,000 a year for the next 30 years. You are probably right he didn't vote for some of them,since he ran against in the last election.

To concerned parent/educator.I saw your post but could not find it here..My response.We don't vote on the school budget,we vote on the tax levy.The township budget has nothing to do with the school budget We don't get to vote on what the township spends unless it's a binding referendum on the ballot This years estimated school budget is $144,000,000 and estimated tax levy $97,000,000,big difference.If it's under the 2% cap we don't get to vote on the school tax levy. And it's spelled separate.