June 9, 2006

San Jose Smart Start program awards $16,000 in Smart Start
grants to Action Day Primary Plus Schools for new playgrounds

Action Day Primary Plus Schools (ADPP) have been awarded $16,000 in Smart Start Grants by San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Smart Start San Jose. ADPP’s Moorpark School in San Jose was awarded $5,000 and their Coventry School in Campbell was awarded an additional $11,000. Both schools have used the funds to build new playgrounds.

The awards were given at the second annual Smart Start San José Conference held on May 6 at the San José Convention Center. The conference, themed "Learning through Adventure," provided valuable information, resources and professional development for Smart Start San José partners, including administrators, staff and families. The vision of the Smart Start San José program and the conference is that all children will enter school with the foundation needed for academic and social success.

“We are all so very pleased that Mayor Gonzales has made these funds available for our schools because it helps us overcome the high cost of building new or expanding existing facilities. By keeping our operating costs low, we are able to ensure that more children will continue to have access to high quality child care and preschool at sensible prices,” said Carole Freitas, founder and owner of Action Day Primary Plus Schools.

On May 26, Campbell Mayor Jeanette Watson joined Smart Start San Jose representative, Lisa Giannotti, the students and staff of Coventry School and local supporters of the Smart Start Initiative for a playground dedication ceremony at Coventry School located at 1125 W. Campbell Ave.

“Educating our children is the best chance we have of developing a loving, caring society. The earlier we begin this education the wiser our young people will be. They will become good citizens interested in the welfare of all,” said Watson.

More information about Action Day/Primary Plus Schools can be found at www.adnpp.com.

For more information about Smart Start San Jose please go to www.sjlibrary.org/services/early_care/smartstart.