MIFFLIN - Six-year-old Cora Musser can count by twos and fives. She can read simple story books and write sentences. She knows how to tell time and count money.
The Mountain View Elementary School pupil hopes Gov. Tom Corbett will take notice of her accomplishments for one simple reason - kindergarten.
With her mother Mindy Musser's help, Cora wrote a letter to the governor and local legislators, urging them to support kindergarten in Pennsylvania.
"Dear Lawmakers," Cora read from her letter. "Because of kindergarten, I can write this letter. ... I am ready for first grade. Please keep kindergarten. Sincerely, Cora J. Musser, Mt. View Elementary School, Mifflin, P.A."
Her daughter was a bit shy, so Mindy Musser prompted the little girl to share what she imagines Corbett will say when he reads the letter.
"I want him to say, 'I think we should keep kindergarten because of this smart girl,'" Cora said, with the hint of a smile on her face.
The Mussers hope other children will follow Cora's example and send letters to their state legislators, too.
The idea came to the mother and daughter team after reading a book about Esther Morris, who won the vote for women in the Wyoming Territory in 1869, 51 years prior to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which allowed women across the United States to vote.
The book "I Could Do That!" by Linda Arms White inspired the Mussers to write letters in opposition to the severe budgetary cuts that the governor proposed for education.
Because of the cuts, the Juniata County School District and many others across Pennsylvania are considering the elimination of kindergarten, arts and music, agriculture, building and trades and more.
Last week, the Mussers launched their campaign "Because of kindergarten, I can write this letter" against the cuts by asking children and their parents to write letters to the governor and local legislators in support of kindergarten.
Cora's letters is a visual example of the foundational reading and writing skills that she learned in kindergarten, her mother said.
The mother and daughter have been spreading the word through letters and emails to friends, family and teachers in the area.
So far, they have received an overwhelming response of support from Central Pennsylvania parents and teachers. Every time Mindy receives a new response, she said, Cora does a cheer.
Mindy Musser also wants to spread awareness of the changes in the kindergarten curriculum.
"What kindergarten was for us is not what it is for them," Musser said. "We lose sight of where it has moved to."
She wrote a letter to the editor, which appears on Page A4 of today's Sentinel.
Cora's teacher, Cindy VanGavree, also taught Mindy when she was in kindergarten. So, it isn't hard for the mom to compare her experience to her daughter's.
Kindergarten is no longer about playtime mixed in with a bit of learning about shapes, colors, ABCs and 1-2-3s. Pupils today learn about phonics, syllables, money, time and more as they prepare for first grade, Musser said.
If nothing else, Musser said she hopes the "Because of kindergarten" campaign will prompt the community to ask what students are learning in school.
"I ask that they put more thought into what kids need and not base it on their own experiences," Musser said.
She stressed how much the focus of education has become studying for the PSSAs, and lamented the loss of creativity in the classroom.
Kindergarten, though more rigorous than it was decades ago, still includes that much-needed time for creative learning, she said.
Some of the Cora's favorite creative activities at kindergarten have been creating umbrella and kite crafts, making animal hats and learning to order food at a restaurant.
At home, Cora said she likes to sit on her beanbag chair and read to herself. She and her mom like to read "girl power" books together.
To contact a local legislator, visit www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/
Several local teachers were invited but chose not to comment on the campaign.
Juniata County School District policies 420 and 421 limit employees' freedom of expression on political issues when those issues relate to the school system and its programs.
