Deadline to Register For Preschool is Friday

Candace Braun

The Princeton Regional School District will be starting up a preschool program at Johnson Park Elementary School this fall, thanks to a $108,000 grant from the state.

The program, which will have a morning and afternoon session of 2.5 hours each, is open to all four-year-olds living in Princeton. Applications are available to parents at the Student Services Office at 25 Valley Road, until Friday, September 10, when they are due.

If more than 18 applications are received, a lottery drawing will be held on Thursday, September 25, to determine which students will participate. Enrollment preference will be given to children who are new to the community or country, as well as children who are eligible for free or reduced meals. Special Education Services, including speech and occupational therapy, will be provided to students who are eligible.

Children enrolling in the program must be four-years-old by September 30. The program will begin on Monday, October 4.

This grant is part of the state's Early Launch to Learning Initiative, which distributed money to 24 school districts for preschool programs. The state awarded $1.9 million in total.

For more information on how to apply for the program, call Student Services Secretary Claudine Kelsey or Student Services Administrator Karen Taratuski at (609) 806-4206.

Spanish speakers call Tracey Goldberg or Sandy LaCasse at (609) 806-4222.