Pequea Valley townlively.com
DECEMBER 15, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 52
Early Learning Benefits Partnership Brings Prekindergarten Center To PVSD BY ANN MEAD ASH
hen Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) assistant superintendent Rich Eby read the statistics, they were sobering. “We know that 85% of the child’s brain is developed by 5 years old. Those entering kindergarten without a quality prekindergarten education have mastered 1,000 words less (than their peers who attended prekindergarten),” he said. From there, it got worse. “Children who aren’t proficient (readers) by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out, and adults with low-level literacy are more likely to be living in poverty.” The good news is that on Nov. 17, partners in the Pequea Valley area, including PVSD, Community Action Partnership (CAP), and the Together Initiative, took steps to be sure children in the district receive quality prekindergarten education when the Pequea Valley Early Learning Center, 166 S. New Holland Road,
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Kinzers, opened in the Pequea Valley Intermediate School. A small gathering held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the center behind the school beginning at 8 a.m. The center will provide education and day care to area children. Amanda Burns, vice president of communications at CAP, welcomed the group. “We are really excited to be able to supply high-quality early learning for the community,” she said, noting that the program will benefit the youngest community members and provide services that support working families. Eby spoke next, calling the occasion a “phenomenal day.” “It’s been a long journey to get to this point,” he said, going back seven years to a time when the district had 40 children on a waiting list and progressing through the institution of a Head Start program at the Together Community Center, and the decision to put the new early learning center in a vacant wing at the intermediate school.
Sweet Family-Style Fun
A ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the Pequea Valley Early Learning Center on Nov. 17.
A New Pet For Christmas? BY ANN MEAD ASH
Does anything push the cuteness quotient like a puppy or kitten under a fully decorated
Valentine’s Banquet To Feature Local Talent BY ANN MEAD ASH
See RCTM pg 16
Alexis Vollmer of the Humane League of Lancaster County helps match pets and owners.
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See Humane League pg 2
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Christmas tree? Probably not, but is it wise to bring a pet into the home during the holidays only to fully grasp the reality of pet ownership when life returns to normal in January? Alexis Vollmer, an animal care technician, with the Humane League of Lancaster County, said that the last couple of years the organization has been lucky following Christmas. “We had quite a few less returns compared to how many were adopted out,” noted Vollmer, who credits the matchmaking skills of league members and staff with that low number.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Thrill Of Hope . . . . . . . .3 Business Directory . . . . . .4 Sadsbury Friends Meeting To Host Christmas Program . . . . . .5 House Of Worship . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13
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Jaime Santiago, founder and executive director of Restart Training Center Ministry (RTCM), is looking forward to a bit of a change in this year’s Valentines Sweetheart Banquet. The event, which in the past has been solely for couples, will be a little more open. “ We thought we would have a little
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See PVSD pg 4
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