Gov. Christie Visits Camden Schools, Touting Education Reform
By Steve Tawa
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Governor Chris Christie returned to Camden today, making five stops to highlight his education agenda.
Standing in the Camden High School gym, surrounded by banners that showcased the school's athletic achievements, the governor announced the state's formal partnership with the Center for Family Services' "Promise Neighborhoods" program.
Christie noted that Camden is joining the other New Jersey cities of Paterson and Newark in the Promises initiative, helping young people get access services that include financial literacy, tutoring, résumé and job search support, and parent support meetings.
"This partnership is creating a comprehensive continuum of services designed to help prepare young people in Camden to succeed -- from cradle to college and career," the governor said.
But his first stop this morning was Wiggins Elementary School, on Mt. Vernon Street in Camden, during which Gov. Christie mixed it up with students in a first-grade class.
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The seven- and eight-year-olds asked the governor important questions, such as, "What do you do as governor?" (He responded that he tries to make things better for people in New Jersey.) He was also asked if he had a dog. (He doesn't. He wants one, he said, but he and his son are allergic to dogs and cats so they settled on Bubbles the goldfish.)
