To: Rep. Perry, L.,
Subject: Please Vote Yes on HB96!
Date: 2014-02-10T21:43:59Z
Body:
Feb 10, 2014 Representative Lee Perry State Capitol , Suite 350 350 North State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Dear Representative Perry, I am writing to ask that you support school readiness and vote YES on HB96. Recently, I had an experience that made me realize how important HB96 really is for working Utah families. I was visiting a friend at her office and she had her little girl there with her sitting in a chair watching movies on her phone. I asked what her daughter was doing there with her and she said that she is struggling with childcare because she can't afford her daughters preschool program any longer. She was upset that there weren't more options for her and was struggling trying to figure out what to do with her little girl. we can do better than this for our children - there can be valuable options for Utah families. I have a daughter of my own and I know how valuable preschool is for a child. My little girl has grown - mostly socially and emotionally over the past year. She also knows all her letters, shapes, and alphabet and she's only 3-1/2! I feel confident she'll have a leg up when she starts school, but I fear that she will be in classroom full of unprepared children and that teachers will have to teach to the kids that aren't on track. This bill affects every child in our state - those that will have access, and also those that are in the classroom with peers who otherwise wouldn't have been prepared. My daughter is not considered at-risk, but I know the high-quality preschool is a proven strategy that changes the odds for at-risk children who lack opportunity. These children deserve to have the same opportunity my daughter has had. Participation in a high-quality preschool program ensures these children enter kindergarten on-track with their peers and reach proven benchmarks. It also increases their chances of graduating from high school, receiving post-secondary education, and obtaining a stable job, which ultimately, saves the state and taxpayers millions by avoiding costly remediation programs. HB96 will offer an innovative way to partner with the private sector, increase the number of at-risk students who can access high-quality preschool programs, and ensure that children are ready to learn. HB96 is about giving parents choices and providing at-risk children with opportunities for a better life! I encourage you to support this VITAL legislation for our kids, our communities, and for the future of our state. Sincerely, Mr. Christopher Stowe 2297 S Lake St Salt Lake City, UT 84106-1869