Partnership Brings Prekindergarten Center To PVSD

When 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, 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.

PVSD superintendent Erik Orndorff spoke of the importance of collaboration. "This is what happens when we all come together," he said, lauding Eby, the Together Initiative, and CAP. He added that having the Together Initiative in the area has changed his view of challenging issues. "The Together Initiative changed things from 'Can we solve this?' to 'How can we solve this?'" he explained.

CAP CEO Vanessa Philbert spoke, saying, "What's most impactful for me is having a superstar team. We can only drive action through partnership."

Just prior to the ribbon cutting, Stacy Lewis, director Thrive to Five, said she was especially happy to celebrate because she recalls the genesis of the opportunity during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Launching an early learning center seemed so daunting," she said. "What we have been able to accomplish underscores the backbone of resilient communities," Lewis noted, adding, "I think the success we celebrate today was born out of intentional relationships and partnering."