What is MKF?
Montclair Kids First (MKF) is a coalition of Montclair parents and residents who believe deeply in the promise of Public Education and in Montclair’s Public School system. The group reflects Montclair’s diverse background, ideas, and values. Putting our kids first means that every Montclair child has access to a first-rate education, that every Montclair parent is empowered with a strong voice, that we deal with every “help me do my assignment ” request, and that we, as members of the Montclair community, are responsible for providing solutions and supporting initiatives that strengthen our public schools.
Montclair Kids First (MKF) is a coalition of Montclair parents and residents who believe deeply in the promise of Public Education and in Montclair’s Public School system. The group reflects Montclair’s diverse background, ideas, and values. Putting our kids first means that every Montclair child has access to a first-rate education, that every Montclair parent is empowered with a strong voice, that we deal with every “help me do my assignment ” request, and that we, as members of the Montclair community, are responsible for providing solutions and supporting initiatives that strengthen our public schools.
MKF's Mission
MKF will foster solutions and support initiatives that strengthen our Public Schools. In short, we seek to achieve the following:
1. Academic Excellence in our Public Schools. MKF will improve educational services to our students by showcasing Montclair’s great teachers in the hope that successful strategies can be shared; championing clear, consistent and challenging curriculum; supporting initiatives that are working; demanding teacher quality for every classroom; and fighting to ensure that the district funds programs and needs at the school level.
2. Closing of the Achievement Gap. MKF believes our schools must give every child in the District access to a first rate education. A child’s academic success should never be unfairly determined by their socio-economic status, access to tutors, and/or parental involvement. All parents and care givers should be able to trust school leaders and teachers to provide their child with the best possible education. MKF will fund and support a series of initiatives that will ensure all our children have the tools to succeed and close this gap.
3. Open and Respectful Dialogue. MKF believes all ideas must be heard and respected and that no one entity should be able to monopolize the education discussion in our community. MKF will foster an open and intelligent platform that will allow every stakeholder to freely express his/her views.
4. Transparency. MKF believes that all information and background pertaining to decisions regarding public education should be available to everyone. MKF will advocate, petition and invest to ensure greater transparency of our elected and appointed officials in the area of education.
5. Effectiveness in the Delivery of Educational Services. Ultimately, great education costs money, but concrete ideas, fact-based analysis, and clear metrics of success must inform any future increases in school taxes. MKF will invest in analysis and advocacy to ensure that our school budgets balance the interests of our kids and Montclair’s Taxpayers.
MKF will foster solutions and support initiatives that strengthen our Public Schools. In short, we seek to achieve the following:
1. Academic Excellence in our Public Schools. MKF will improve educational services to our students by showcasing Montclair’s great teachers in the hope that successful strategies can be shared; championing clear, consistent and challenging curriculum; supporting initiatives that are working; demanding teacher quality for every classroom; and fighting to ensure that the district funds programs and needs at the school level.
2. Closing of the Achievement Gap. MKF believes our schools must give every child in the District access to a first rate education. A child’s academic success should never be unfairly determined by their socio-economic status, access to tutors, and/or parental involvement. All parents and care givers should be able to trust school leaders and teachers to provide their child with the best possible education. MKF will fund and support a series of initiatives that will ensure all our children have the tools to succeed and close this gap.
3. Open and Respectful Dialogue. MKF believes all ideas must be heard and respected and that no one entity should be able to monopolize the education discussion in our community. MKF will foster an open and intelligent platform that will allow every stakeholder to freely express his/her views.
4. Transparency. MKF believes that all information and background pertaining to decisions regarding public education should be available to everyone. MKF will advocate, petition and invest to ensure greater transparency of our elected and appointed officials in the area of education.
5. Effectiveness in the Delivery of Educational Services. Ultimately, great education costs money, but concrete ideas, fact-based analysis, and clear metrics of success must inform any future increases in school taxes. MKF will invest in analysis and advocacy to ensure that our school budgets balance the interests of our kids and Montclair’s Taxpayers.
