Free Pre-K for Qualifying Children in Everett

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Johnstown, PA (May 9, 2016) – A high quality preschool experience can be costly for families already struggling to make ends meet.  Now, children in the Everett area may qualify for free preschool through Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts Program. The Little Learning Lamp @ Everett Elementary School was awarded a Pre-K Counts grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the 2016-17 school year. The Learning Lamp will hold preschool registration on Wednesday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Everett Elementary. Registration does not guarantee placement.

Pre-K Counts aims to make quality pre-kindergarten opportunities available to children and families across the state. The Learning Lamp’s Pre-K Counts classroom includes a teacher and aide with the education and expertise to teach young children, standards-based curriculum that builds foundational skills in literacy, math, social studies and science and thorough assessments that measure students’ progress and areas in need of improvement. Children that qualify are entitled to free breakfast and lunch, and transportation is provided by the Everett Area School District.

Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2016 to register for preschool. Eligibility for Pre-K Counts is based on income and other risk factors. Income guidelines are 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, so a family of four can earn $72,900 and still qualify. Parents should bring the following to registration:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Updated immunization records
• Proof of recent physical/dental exams (students may receive exams at no cost, as needed)
• Verification of 2015 income (2015 Federal Income Tax Return)

For families whose children do NOT qualify for free preschool through Pre-K Counts, a limited number of private-pay seats are available with opportunities for tuition assistance. The Learning Lamp also operates a preschool classroom at nearby Bedford Elementary School. For more information, call Erica at 814-262-0732 ext. 222.

The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. The Learning Lamp served 30,711 children from 57 school districts and 53 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 17 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland in 2015.

Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.