NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
2 April 2003

COMMERCE BANK, UNITED CONCORDIA EACH GIVE $50,000 TO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed’s comprehensive Early Childhood Education (REACH) initiative for the Harrisburg School District today received substantial corporate contributions from Commerce Bank and United Concordia dental insurance company. The generous $50,000 grants complete two-year pledges to the program of $100,000 each, and brings the total amount of charitable giving to the program to more than $6.5 million.

A primary component of the Mayor’s long-term reform of Harrisburg’s public education system, the REACH program is intended to provide daylong kindergarten and pre-kindergarten for all children ages 3, 4 and 5 years old. REACH, which stands for Reaching Early Achievement for Children in Harrisburg, is now completing its first year of operation and will more than double in size for the upcoming school year, eventually providing every 3 to 5 year old in the city with an opportunity to attend.

“I believe that the absence of a coordinated pre-school program for our children is one of the reasons for past declining academic test scores,” said the Mayor. “Many young students have been entering elementary school unprepared for the academic environment. Virtually all studies say that the pre-school years are the most formative for a child, and instilling in them the habits for learning, enhancing language and literacy skills, and providing a safe, nurturing environment are all key components to achieving later academic success.

“A major error that the Harrisburg School District made years ago was the elimination of nearly all of the kindergarten programs. Our students have suffered as a result, with many coming into the first grade unable to do even the simplest or rudimentary tasks. This is now changing.

“Our deepest gratitude and appreciation are extended to our excellent corporate sponsors. We are delighted with the funding commitments that have been extended to the program during the past two years, and we strongly encourage others to sign up.” The Mayor said the REACH program involved 180 students housed in 12 separate classrooms across the District. The upcoming 2003-04 school year will see the program expand to involve nearly 390 students in 26 classrooms. The children’s parents are also actively engaged in the program, with many providing volunteer and other services.

Reed noted that some of the highlights of the REACH Program include small class sizes, with 1 teacher or aide for every five students; continuing early childhood education training for adults; usage of a high scope’ curriculum which focuses upon literacy development through challenging activities and individualized instruction; access to advanced technologies, including computers; and supplemental before and after-school programs, along with a summer schedule.

“Commerce Bank recently opened its largest branch to-date in the heart of downtown, at N. Second and Walnut Streets, and has become very involved in city civic affairs,” noted David Skerpon, Chief Retail Officer for the distinguished midstate-based bank. “We are pleased to present this check for $50,000, and are delighted to see such measurable results from earlier contributions made by Commerce and other corporate sponsors.”

United Concordia Regional Sales Director Vince Pinzotto echoed Skerpon’s comments, noting that “providing our children with every opportunity for success is fundamentally an investment in the future economic health and well-being of the communities in which we serve.”

Mayor Reed noted that the REACH Program is a collaborative effort between the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg School District, Capital Area Head Start, Hamilton Health Center, Pinnacle Health and the Dauphin County Department of Human Services. Many additional community and faith-based organizations are also providing support and services.

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