<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0kMsxA_0wDyNQfL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0kMsxA_0wDyNQfL00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Erin Vogt</figcaption></figure><h2>🚸 NJ awards pre-K grants</h2><h2>🚸 $20M in funds for new, expanded pre-K</h2><h2>🚸 Full day, free programs in almost 300 districts</h2><p>TRENTON — Almost $20 million has been awarded to school districts in the state’s continued efforts to expand and create free, full-day preschool programs.</p><p>Districts that received money would open programs by this winter, according to Gov. Phil Murphy and state Department of Education Acting Commissioner Kevin Dehmer.</p><p>The latest funding was based on applications received last spring.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17Y8Ov_0wDyNQfL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17Y8Ov_0wDyNQfL00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>(Canva)</figcaption></figure><p>State-funded, high-quality preschool programs now exist in 293 New Jersey school districts – most of them created or expanded during Murphy’s time as governor.</p><p>That’s nearly half of the state's 590 operating public school districts. To be eligible for pre-k funding, districts must first offer full-day kindergarten.</p><p>Of 18 districts that received funding in this round — five were in Burlington County, including Evesham, which received the largest of any municipality at $3 million.</p><p>Another four districts awarded preschool funds were in Sussex County, where Vernon received $2.8 million.</p><p>Clark, Point Pleasant Borough and Upper Freehold Regional were also among the latest communities to receive pre-k funding from the state.</p><p>The preschool funding, which was earmarked in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, would make full-day pre-K available to more than 1,200 additional children.</p><p>A high-quality preschool is defined as a full-day program with a certificated teacher, an aide, a curriculum aligned with the state Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards — as well as small classes inclusive of young students with special needs, who have individualized education plans (IEPs).</p><p><a href="mailto:trenton.dme@townsquaremedia.com?subject=Feedback%20or%20correction">Report a correction</a> <i>👈 | 👉</i> <a href="https://nj1015.com/contact-nj-1015-newsroom/">Contact our newsroom</a></p><h2>Here’s 40 great NJ coffee spots to visit</h2><p>New Jerseyans have a strong crop of choices for a freshly roasted cup of coffee, around NJ. Here's a roundup of 40 spots to get caffeinated — some of them different locations for the same NJ-born brand. </p></div></body>

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Nearly 300 lucky NJ school districts will now offer full-day, free preschool

TRENTON — Almost $20 million has been awarded to school districts in the state’s continued efforts to expand and create free, full-day preschool programs. Districts that received money would open programs by this winter, according to Gov. Phil Murphy and state Department of Education Acting Commissioner Kevin Dehmer.