Provide Your 3 to 4-Year Old With a Great Opportunity ! Pre-K Counts !
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The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland / Fayette , Inc . ( PIC ) has a strong partnership with the Penn Hills School District . PIC knows it ’ s important to you to make sure your children are equipped to be successful in school and can give your 3- or 4-year-old a boost .
Shujuane L . Martin , CEO / president of PIC , says , “ Giving children the opportunity to participate in high-quality preschool services gives them a competitive edge , not only in education but for tomorrow ’ s future workforce .”
The Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program provides high-quality pre-kindergarten education for 3- and 4-year-olds living in the state and is offered at no cost to families that qualify . For the 2024- 25 school year , a family of four can have a household income of up to $ 93,600 a year and still qualify for these services . The program is funded by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning . Currently there are two Pre-K Counts classrooms located in the Penn Hills School District .
According to Natalie Schweizer , Pre-K Counts project supervisor , “ Our organization has had 40 years of positive impact on communities when it comes to getting children ready to learn . It ’ s a win-win for children and the school districts where we have a partnership .”
It is unique that the local Pre-K Counts program is in the Penn Hills High School building . This allows for a great deal of collaboration with high school staff and students who are a part of child development classes . The young learners often inspire future early childhood educators . The Penn Hills Elementary School and the Pre-K Counts staff also work together to help children coming into the district make a smooth transition to kindergarten . The high school location has not only helped to build great relationships among multi-aged students but has provided a bridge for young students to transition to school .
Key points about the program : 4 Early childhood-certified teaching staff 4 Safe , well equipped learning environments
4 Curriculum and educational programming , individualized for your child ’ s developmental success 4 Meaningful assessment of your child ’ s abilities 4 Parent participation opportunities 4 Staff / Child ratios that permit plenty of one-onone time with teachers 4 Full-day classes ( classes are five days a week for six hours each day ) 4 Breakfast and lunch provided for free
Penn Hills Parent Testimonials : “ I ’ ve been with the Pre-K Counts program since 2020 . My now 2nd grader and Kindergartner both did two years in the program , and loved it . Their transition to the elementary school was smooth , and the Pre-K program deserves a lot of credit for that . My youngest son attends now , and I can ’ t thank Ms . Terry , Ms . Emily and Ms . Natalie S enough for all of the love and nurturing they give him .”
— Olivia M .
“ PA Pre-K Counts has been the best choice I could have made for my daughter . This is her first year going to any kind of school , and we were not sure how she would adjust . Let me tell you , she has increased her socialization skills and is more interactive with children her own age . The wealth of knowledge that she has accumulated is incredible . She is also able to count to 100 and has started reading simple words .”
— Lindsay R .
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR Call for an application at 724.437.2590 , apply online at privateindustrycouncil . com / prek-online-application , or email at prekcounts @ privateindustrycouncil . com .
OAKMONT-PENN HILLS-VERONA | SPRING 2024 13