Murphy announces $120 million in funding to expand pre-K programs

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Gov. Phil Murphy made several new friends at Brooks Crossing Elementary School at Deans, on Wednesday.

Murphy, accompanied by acting Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan, stopped by two new full-day pre-K classrooms at the school, on his way to announce the availability of $120 million in grants for preschool programming.

The governor also highlighted more than $11.4 million recently received by 16 school districts to establish or grow their preschool programs.

"I've seen it in action with my own eyes this morning," Murphy said. "From the very beginning, I'm proud to say that our administration has held access to a good education as one of our core values. In fact, we just got ranked again as the number one public education system in the nation, which we hold out as a badge of honor. We understand in particular that high-quality early education builds a foundation for lifelong learning, teaching children skills that they will use for the rest of their lives and setting them on a path toward successful fulfilling careers."

Murphy and his new friends bonded while working on an activity sheet "using their superpowers to see color" in Rachel Kline's pre-K classroom.

The children − Ella, Lokya, Hunter, Avih, Zaid and Divine Glory − used scissors to snip squares of different colored vehicles, sorted them and glued them onto an activity sheet in the appropriate column − red, blue or green. The governor was in charge of scissors.

"That's a very nice red sweater you have on," he said to Divine Glory on the topic of colors. She brightened and said, "Thank you!"

One of the 16 districts, South Brunswick, received more than $2 million for its preschool program. The Deans Campus of Brooks Crossing Elementary School is one of four schools in the district with pre-K programs.

The funding allowed the new classrooms to open in January, moving from a paid, part-time program to a free, full-time model. South Brunswick's program employs 15 teachers, and more than 170 preschoolers are enrolled.

"My colleagues and I have worked hard to build an inclusive learning environment, teaching all students self-regulation, social and language skills along with pre-academics," Kline said. "These are necessary foundations for creating lifelong learners ensuring success in kindergarten and beyond. We are able to reach families across South Brunswick no matter what their background or financial situation. By the end of their time with us, our students are confident and independent learners."

The funding has many benefits, said South Brunswick Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder.

"When you have free full-day preschool it allows the district to level the playing field for who has access," he said. "Sometimes financials make it impossible for people to have access. So when those children get to a kindergarten, they're going up against kids that have had two years of preschool because they were able to afford it. That is a disadvantage that sometimes can never be undone."

Murphy also announced an additional $2.6 million to assist 33 school districts with supplementary start-up funding. The money is part of ongoing efforts by the Murphy administration to provide universal access to full-day preschool programs throughout the state.

Since Murphy took office, preschool programs have been introduced to more than 160 school districts, serving more than 12,000 additional children.

"Year after year, we are relentlessly pursuing our goal of achieving universal access to quality pre-K programming for every 3- and 4-year-old in our state," Murphy said. "And the numbers reflect that determination. This funding is one of the best investments we can make in the future of our state. We know that increasing the general knowledge and vocabulary of a child before they enter first grade is the single highest correlation with later success."

The governor said the program is one of "the most important of our entire administration, with the potential to improve the lives of generations, literally, of New Jerseyans."

Investing in pre-K is how the Murphy administration intends to keep the state "a national leader in every field," the governor said.

"Today our 3- and 4-year-old scholars are learning what it means to be a part of a class alongside their fellow students and how to learn from their teachers," he said "It starts here by building a stronger and fairer educational foundation so that every student is ready to take advantage of all that our best in the nation school system has to offer."

Murphy emphasized the funding is an investment in the future.

"For every dollar we put into early childhood education, study upon study will suggest you get at least $7 back over the course of that child's lifetime. You don't need a background in finance or math to understand that as smart investing," the governor said.

The following school districts received a portion of the $11.4 million in funding:

• Atlantic County – Folsom School District – $165,322

• Bergen County – Little Ferry School District – $1,245,045

• Burlington County – Washington Township School District – $82,260

• Burlington County – Westampton Township School District – $456,765

• Camden County – Gibbsboro School District – $582,793

• Camden County – Lawnside School District – $382,840

• Cumberland County – Downe Township School District – $445

• Gloucester County – South Harrison Township School District – $621,414

• Middlesex County – South Brunswick Township School District – $2,041,956

• Middlesex County – South Plainfield School District – $1,765,380

• Monmouth County – Allenhurst School District – $13,857

• Morris County – Jefferson Township School District – $1,034,483

• Ocean County – Island Heights School District – $188,636

• Salem County – Andover Regional School District – $522,310

• Sussex County – Elsinboro Township School District – $108,072

• Union County – Linden City School District – $2,200,915

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Gov. Phil Murphy unveils $120M for pre-K in NJ