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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER |
June 4, 2004
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Children have a clear sense of fair play. All too soon, however, they
learn, as we did, that life really isn’t all that fair. I suppose it
is the price we pay for being unique, each with our own personal set of
talents, intelligences and circumstances.
Still, there is that in human nature that hates injustice. In fact, we have a whole court system and Justice Department dedicated to trying to make life a little bit more fair, especially for those who are uniquely deprived due to circumstances not of their own making. |
When the Abbott case was decided in favor of the kids in the "poor" school districts, I agreed with the Court. Young students living in areas where poverty is the norm were being further deprived by the lack of an adequate education, the most acknowledged ladder up and out. Compassion and fair-mindedness aside, come to think of it; our whole society was being deprived of the promise and gifts these youth had to offer. Untapped potential can be a huge drain on any society. |
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Then, as the Courts and Educators and Advocates of Fairness sought to
carry out the lofty intentions of the Abbott decision, reducing the gap
between the suburban haves and the urban have nots, an incongruity
occurred.
Another small gap developed. And grew. While there arose voices, opinions, and mild protests, the gap continued to grow. Now, in consequence, there are only 80 of us left. That is right … out of nearly 300 community based child care centers in New Jersey, there are only 80 left, and we are all struggling. Better Beginnings continues to |
exist because its community and advocates have supported us without
ceasing. We don’t know what the other 79 have done, but now we are
banding together in hopes we few will survive.
What is the problem? An inequity, something that is not fair, ironically, has arisen from a masterful attempt to make things fair. At first, when our protests were of no avail, we contended with it, dug deeper and, as you may have noticed, worked harder at fundraising, soliciting contributions, submitting proposals ….. but now, ... |
| Eligibility for
Abbott funding is based on how many free and reduced lunches are served
in one’s school district. In the East Windsor Regional School
District, not a rich district by any means, the number of free and
reduced lunches served is too few to make us eligible for Abbott
districting.
This means, to say it simply, that Child A, with a family size of 4 and a family income of $20,000 per annum in a good year, who happens to live in East Windsor, does not qualify for Abbott funding. Child B, same family size, same annual family income, who happens to live in Trenton, does qualify. What benefits are bestowed upon the Abbott-30? Numerous, including full day Kindergarten; full day preschool for four year olds; soon part day preschool for three year olds. And more money to attract and pay teachers and staff. More this more that. By now, since the advent of Abbott districting, here is how the gap looks: Sally Mason, Chairperson, of the NJ Child Care Policy Development Board points out that "Abbott funded programs are receiving $12-15,000 per child per year while child care in Community Based Child Care Centers in non-Abbott school districts receive $5365 from the State... We are losing our certified teachers to |
Abbott school
districts that pay far greater salaries and this impacts on our program
quality."
Now, along with the other 79 centers, we are appealing to NJ Legislators for an increase of 4% in State funding (instead of the 1% they offered) just to pay for rising costs of utilities, insurance, labor, food and rent. The quality of programming for children is dependent on caregivers. How poor are the salaries? Can you believe an average of less than $7 an hour for professionals held to the highest standards? The Staff at Better Beginnings has not received a salary increase in five years. Is that a fair wage? In the meantime, requirements for staff and other areas are constantly being increased. At the same time, there was a 1% COLA last year (2003-04), a 1.6 percent COLA the previous year (2002-03), and a 1 percent this year (2004-05). The Legislators from our district, especially Dr. Morgan, are knowledgeable and supportive on the topic. Still, it strengthens their position and ability to help us when they hear from their constituents, and can show these to our Department and the Division in command of our contracts (Division of Family Development.) . Names and addresses are listed elsewhere in the Herald, or we will send them to you. |
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Teacher, Brenda Werner, asked our after-schoolers
about things to do rather than watch TV. It seems they are
informed on this subject: Here are their responses:
Do Homework |
Reasons not to watch too much TV: Makes you blind |
| The congregation
of the First Presbyterian Church continues to help fill our
"juice" gap. On "Juice Day" they collected enough to
last for entire two weeks. That is a lot of nourishing for our little
ones.
"Miss Dee" Murphy frequently supplies food stuffs such as cereals, , as does "Mr. Jonathan" Craig. This time, staff morale also got a lift from his gift of a pack of |
strawberries for each of us. "Miss
Dee" brought other items also, such as framed pictures, soccer key-rings,
and other items. Shelly Pomanis and Charles and Mary O'Reilly donated
clothing, toys, books and a monetary contribution.
Fair to say - we are very grateful indeed to all our community friends for their continued support. |
| Bettie Witherspoon is a former executive director of Better Beginnings, which has provided affordable child care to the East Windsor/Hightstown area since 1967. |