Penn-Capital Star: Ahead of Pa. Gov. Shapiro’s first budget, advocates stress support, funding for early childhood programs
February 21, 2023 by John Micek
With Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget address now just two weeks away, advocates and lawmakers pressed the case Tuesday for increased state support for early childhood programs, buttressing their arguments with new polling data showing widespread public support for such efforts.
Nearly eight in 10 respondents to the poll commissioned by a coalition of advocacy groups said they supported additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs and child care programs. Nearly two-thirds (62%) said they favored additional state support for home visitation programs.
Overall, 98% of respondents said they believe early childhood education programs are important. That support cut across geography and party affiliation, advocates were quick to point out during a news conference in the Capitol rotunda.
“All parents are challenged to meet the needs of their children’s earliest years against the demands of the workforce,” Steve Doster, the Pennsylvania director of the advocacy group Mission Readiness, said. “For more than a decade, Republicans and Democrats have prioritized funding for early childhood [programs].”
The poll, conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research in Harrisburg, included the opinions of 800 registered voters. It was conducted from Feb. 1 through Feb. 7, with a margin of error of 3.4%.
The 2022-23 state budget approved by lawmakers, and signed into law by former Gov. Tom Wolf, includes $60 million in new state support for the state’s Pre-K Counts program, and $19 million for the state’s Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, according to data compiled by the advocacy group Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
On Tuesday, advocates also stressed the need for competitive wages for childcare workers, who make an average of about $11.26 an hour, up to a maximum of $16.26 an hour. Data show high turnover among those workers, making it harder for parents to count on consistent care.
Read the full article here.
York County teachers celebrate new Pre-K classroom
By James Wesser December 9, 2022
Friday’s hometown heroes are the teachers at Crispus Attaucks Early Learning Center.
State officials joined the staff to celebrate a new pre-k classroom. This was made possible by an extra $79 million in this year’s budget. The new space makes early education accessible to more families.
“That leads to kids experiencing a nurturing and caring and constructive atmosphere that really helps them develop and get a strong foundational start for their academic careers.” State Director Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Bruce Clash said.
In Pennsylvania, nearly 70% of eligible kids do not have pre-k. In York County, that number jumps to 80%.
Watch the video here.
PennLive: Capitol Christmas Tree ceremony returns: Watch the lighting of the 20-foot tree
December 6, 2022
After a short hiatus, the Pa. Capitol Christmas tree lighting returned for a special holiday ceremony inside the Rotunda on Monday.
The Rotunda tree stands at 20-feet tall, decorated with over 900 LED lights and more than 400 different ornaments created by senior center members throughout the commonwealth.
Several other decorations added to the tree have been contributed by the Pre-K and head-start students through Pre-K for PA.
Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf were among the guests present, with a performance from the Central Dauphin High School Chorus singing Christmas carols.
According to Governor Wolf, this time of year is a magical time for young children and stresses the importance of uniting all throughout central Pa.
“I’m always struck during the holiday season by the compassion and strength of Pennsylvanians,” he said. “I grew up here. I am a strong Pennsylvanian and one of the things that I love about this commonwealth is we know compassion. We know how to live together.
He adds that this time of year is a time to reach out to one another and support those around us.
“We’re going to light this magnificent tree,” he said. “That’s going to serve us a reminder that even when times are dark, even when we feel alone, even when things are hard, times are tough, hope, community and friendship survive.”
Watch the tree lighting video here.
Read the full article here.
Tribune-Review: Gov. Wolf welcomes the holidays to the Capitol
December 5, 2022
Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf ushered in the 2022 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2022 Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“Each year, this ceremony reminds me of the common bonds we share across humanity,” said Gov. Wolf. “During this holiday season, let us celebrate and strengthen those bonds by reaching out to those in need, by sharing what we have with others, and by extending our kindness beyond our friends and families to strangers and acquaintances who we know to be different than us. Pennsylvanians will celebrate many holidays over the next several months. No matter which holiday you celebrate, I wish every Pennsylvanian a very happy holiday season.”
The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging.
Musical selections by Central Dauphin High School Chorus directed by John Madas.
Read the full article here.
ABC27: Christmas Tree Lit at Pennsylvania Capitol
December 5, 2023
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Gov. Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf held the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the state Capitol on Monday.
The Central Dauphin High School Choir performed during the ceremony to celebrate the lighting of the 20-foot-tall tree from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. The tree is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments.
The ornaments were donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging, according to the governor’s office.
Ornaments were made by seniors from around the state, according to the Department of Aging, and were submitted by locations including Big Spring Senior Center and Schaner Senior Center in Cumberland County; the Franklin County Area Agency on Aging; Millersville Senior Center in Lancaster County; Myerstown Senior Community Center in Lebanon County; the Mifflin-Juniata County Area Agency on Aging; Central Perry Community Senior Citizens Center in Perry County; and South Central York County Senior Center and Windy Hill Senior Center in York County.
“Each year, this ceremony reminds me of the common bonds we share across humanity,” said Gov. Wolf. “During this holiday season, let us celebrate and strengthen those bonds by reaching out to those in need, by sharing what we have with others, and by extending our kindness beyond our friends and families to strangers and acquaintances who we know to be different than us.“
Read the full article and watch the video here.
Pre-K Kids Join Governor Wolf, First Lady Frances Wolf at Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Adorn PA Capitol Christmas Tree with Hand-crafted Ornaments
HARRISBURG (December 5, 2022) — The Pre-K for PA campaign joined Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf at the Pennsylvania Capitol tree lighting ceremony to mark the official start of the holiday season today. The 20-foot Douglas Fir Christmas tree from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County was decorated by pre-k students from all corners of the commonwealth who crafted hundreds of original ornaments.
“Each year, this ceremony reminds me of the common bonds we share across humanity,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “During this holiday season, let us celebrate and strengthen those bonds by reaching out to those in need, by sharing what we have with others, and by extending our kindness beyond our friends and families to strangers and acquaintances who we know to be different than us. Pennsylvanians will celebrate many holidays over the next several months. No matter which holiday you celebrate, I wish every Pennsylvanian a very happy holiday season.”
Joining Governor Wolf and the First Lady for the in-person Christmas tree lighting ceremony was staff, students, and families from York Day Early Learning and Pre-K for PA supporting organizations.
“Every year, our holiday wish is for lawmakers to make serious investments in our kids to continue to keep early learning strong — and Governor Wolf and the General Assembly did just that,” said Steve Doster, State Director of Mission: Readiness, a principal partner of Pre-K for PA. “The $79 million pre-k expansion in this year’s budget will provide high-quality pre-k to over 2,300 additional students as well as increase rates for providers to support the early care and education workforce and address rising costs.
“We thank Governor Wolf and our champion legislators who continue to prioritize Pennsylvania’s youngest learners and look forward to working with Governor-elect Josh Shapiro and new and returning members of the General Assembly.”
Today, less than 40 percent of eligible children in Pennsylvania has access to high-quality pre-k, leaving more than 100,000 children without the benefit of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Yet, according to recent polling, 90% of registered Pennsylvania voters believe that early childhood education is important in helping set kids on a path to leading healthy and productive lives.
A study by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill confirmed that the commonwealth’s investment in pre-k is paying dividends for the children fortunate enough to access pre-k through Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts program. In language and math skills, the study showed that these kids outperformed their kindergarten peers who did not enjoy access – an advantage that equated to four to five months of learning gains, which is a substantial difference in development at that age.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. For more information www.prekforpa.org.
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