Projects/Goals
Countdown to Kindergarten - 2011
Smart Start-Centre County was pleased to organize a successful 4th annual event Saturday, February 5 promoting successful transition to Kindergarten for Centre County children and their families.
More than 120 families visited 20 exhibitors including five school districts, private and charter schools, and support agencies who provided information and answered questions about Kindergarten programs and registration.
Thanks to generous donations from our school districts, PNC Bank, Cen-Clear Child Services, and local printing company PAMP, we were able to give every Kindergarten-bound child who attended a free “Class of 2024” t-shirt! Many exhibitors offered additional give-aways for families, and agencies including Cen-Clear Child Services, Bennett Family Center, and Child Development and Family Council offered crafts and activities for children.
Over ten Penn State student volunteers helped out, and two volunteers provided entertainment. Korby Smith, a local teenager, gave two performances of his magic show, and Sudha Babu, Penn State researcher and professor, and Helen Hanson, retired teacher, read for two story-times. Four raffle prizes of children’s books, toys, and games (donated by Cen-Clear Child Services and St. Paul’s Christian Preschool) were given away during the event.
115 parents from at least 18 different towns completed our survey, and most of them signed up to receive our monthly e-newsletter. Parents reported child care, financial stress, and lack of personal time as their biggest challenges.
A big "thank you" to:
- our Penn State interns and volunteers
- all of the school, center, and agency volunteers who came out in spite of the bad weather to make our event successful
- our media sponsor, First Media 3WZ Radio and TV for free advertising and an on-air interview about the event
