Pre-K Counts Program OK'd by Salisbury Board

The Salisbury Board of School Directors has approved a collaborative agreement with Community Services for Children to operate a Pre-K Counts certified program at the Harry S. Truman Elementary School next fall.

However, the pre-kindergarten program hinges on state grant funding approval, which may not come until June, according to Paula Margraf, executive vice president of Community Services for Children, an Allentown-based organization.

"It just costs a little goodwill and money from the state," Margraf told the board. "This is for children most at risk with economic disadvantage. If you look over the nine months the program operates, these children will enter kindergarten with all the skills necessary and the parents are kept informed."

Parents must also enter the program and keep abreast of their children's progress, Margraf said.

The organization is asking the state for grants of between $3,500 and $7,860 per child.

Salisbury Superintendent of Schools Michael Roth said that the state grant money that's being applied for covers early childhood and Head Start programs.

The Pre-K Counts program in Salisbury would handle 20 at-risk students and two staff members and be housed in Truman Elementary School, which would cost the school district an indirect sum of money.

"This isn't a Salisbury program, but we provide the space and a little bit of support while Community Services for Children applies for the grant," Roth said.

Roth said the program is for 3- and 4-year-old students who show financial need and are considered at-risk.

"We have some families that can fall through the cracks," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to transition between pre-K and kindergarten and get to know our schools," Roth said.

If the grants are secured, even at a late date, Margraf said it would take less than 30 days to get the program up and running.

Community Services for Children offers Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs throughout the Lehigh Valley.