Island Park gets grants for full day Pre-K

The Island Park school district has received a $600,000 grant for full day pre-Kindergarten from New York State.

According to superintendent Rosmarie Bovino, the grant will go to setting up the program, staff salaries, food for the children and technology. The pre-K program itself will start in September 2015.

“I’m just really thrilled about it,” said Bovino. “It’s really great for the schools and community… Investing in a really high quality pre-Kindergarten program really benefits children.”

The 2014-2015 state budget set aside money for pre-K programs. Interested school districts and community organizations had to send a proposal to the state Education Department. The proposals were scored on a 100-point scale. Island Park received the full amount it asked for.

“To have received the full amount, we had to receive an excellent score,” said Bovino. “That’s not money we have to raise from our taxpayers.”

Overall, the state granted $340 million to 81 school districts and organizations for full day pre-K programs. Bovino hopes to keep up the pre-K program with continued money from the state.

The pre-K will be located in Lincoln Orens Middle School – the building has classrooms with bathrooms and a small playground.

“It’s going to have a long term benefit for the children,” said Bovino. “Plus they’re just downright cute.”