At Lima Senior, sophomore students gathered for a signing ceremony to the Career Tech program.
The YWCA of Northwest Ohio recognized child care providers serving families across its eight-county region during a special appreciation event Thursday. The agency also highlighted its educational resource programs that provide books, games and learning materials for families, teachers and administrators.
Community leaders and student-athletes visited Trinity United Methodist Church’s Center for Creative Child Care to celebrate Read Across America Week by reading to preschoolers. Organizers say the event reinforces the importance of early literacy and encourages children to develop a lifelong love of books.
Lima Senior High School students got the chance to explore a handful of possible career paths.
Phyllis Montrose, Child Development Resource Director for Head Start, said, "We're still not sure exactly what's going to happen, because we are a November one grant. So as soon as our grant goes through that process, and then they release the funds, we know that we will be fully operational, but at this point, you know we're going to continue it with business as usual."
A $220,000 donation is keeping the West Ohio Community Action Partnership’s (WOCAP) Head Start programs open temporarily after the government shutdown halted funding.
High school students are helping younger learners in a hands-on way through Lima City Schools’ Early Childhood Education program.
Volunteers will work with Head Start students, reading and engaging with children from birth to 5 years old. Volunteers may also assist teachers with classroom activities. All volunteers will complete a standard background check and training. Time commitments are flexible and can range from a few hours a week to several days, depending on the volunteer’s availability.
“Just working on those socialization skills for low-income families that may not have the opportunity to go to one of the preschools in the area,” said Phyllis Montrose, WOCAP Child Development Services director. “So what we do is that we work on writing skills, alphabet, name recognition, colors, shapes — everything that a child is going to need to get started in kindergarten to start their education career.”
Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Medical Center is excited to announce that enrollment for its new childcare center, Mercy Tots, is now officially open to families in the Lima-area community.