Walorski Visits Lakeland Learning Center in Syracuse
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Walorski joined with the center’s staff to celebrate the opening of a newly renovated cognitive learning classroom for 3 and 4 year olds.
Walorski said the center offering a new room where cognitive learning is taught is an asset to the community. The center is at 1205 N. Long Drive.
“Early childhood learning has found to be a high priority, and for parents who have chosen to send their children here and know their children need access to better cognitive skills, I think this is a great thing for the community,” Walorski said.
“This exemplifies a community that has made a commitment to education, and I think when you see the hands on things that are available in this classroom it is rewarding,” Walorski said.
The room was made possible through a $5,000 donation from the Rinker Family Foundation. The funding was used to remodel the room and purchase cognitive toys.
Jenny Freeze, who is the lead teacher for the classroom, said the classroom currently serves 13 students and has been used for the past month.
“The room will narrow the socio-economic gap between the highest socio-economic group and children whose families’ income are at a near poverty level according to federal guidelines,” said Linda Hartman, Lakeland Learning Center executive director.
Hartman said before entering kindergarten, the average cognitive scores of preschool-aged children in the highest socio-economic group are 60 percent above the average scores of children in the lowest socio-economic group.
“We want to reduce the gap for children and make sure they have the tools that they need for cognitive development,” Hartman said.
Wooden puzzles for cognitive learning and fine motor skills were purchased through the financial donation from the Rinker Family Foundation.
“Well developed motor skills are what enable a child to do things such as button their shirt, tie shoe laces and use scissors,” Hartman said.
The puzzles also allow children to use analytical thinking, Hartman said.
Hartman said the learning center has worked hard to increase its educational levels among its teachers.
The center currently has a master’s level teacher, a bachelor’s level teacher and two teachers with associate’s degrees.
“We strongly believe that our teachers are here to teach and not to simply provide child care,” Hartman said.
Lakeland Community Services Inc. was established in 1973 to care for the needs of children with working parents and was housed in the Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse.
In 1992, Lakeland Daycare moved to its present location. Then in 1996, with community support and a Federal Community Block Grant, the center was expanded to include the care of infant and toddlers before the age of 2.
For more information, call the center at 574-457-4983.[[In-content Ad]]
Walorski joined with the center’s staff to celebrate the opening of a newly renovated cognitive learning classroom for 3 and 4 year olds.
Walorski said the center offering a new room where cognitive learning is taught is an asset to the community. The center is at 1205 N. Long Drive.
“Early childhood learning has found to be a high priority, and for parents who have chosen to send their children here and know their children need access to better cognitive skills, I think this is a great thing for the community,” Walorski said.
“This exemplifies a community that has made a commitment to education, and I think when you see the hands on things that are available in this classroom it is rewarding,” Walorski said.
The room was made possible through a $5,000 donation from the Rinker Family Foundation. The funding was used to remodel the room and purchase cognitive toys.
Jenny Freeze, who is the lead teacher for the classroom, said the classroom currently serves 13 students and has been used for the past month.
“The room will narrow the socio-economic gap between the highest socio-economic group and children whose families’ income are at a near poverty level according to federal guidelines,” said Linda Hartman, Lakeland Learning Center executive director.
Hartman said before entering kindergarten, the average cognitive scores of preschool-aged children in the highest socio-economic group are 60 percent above the average scores of children in the lowest socio-economic group.
“We want to reduce the gap for children and make sure they have the tools that they need for cognitive development,” Hartman said.
Wooden puzzles for cognitive learning and fine motor skills were purchased through the financial donation from the Rinker Family Foundation.
“Well developed motor skills are what enable a child to do things such as button their shirt, tie shoe laces and use scissors,” Hartman said.
The puzzles also allow children to use analytical thinking, Hartman said.
Hartman said the learning center has worked hard to increase its educational levels among its teachers.
The center currently has a master’s level teacher, a bachelor’s level teacher and two teachers with associate’s degrees.
“We strongly believe that our teachers are here to teach and not to simply provide child care,” Hartman said.
Lakeland Community Services Inc. was established in 1973 to care for the needs of children with working parents and was housed in the Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse.
In 1992, Lakeland Daycare moved to its present location. Then in 1996, with community support and a Federal Community Block Grant, the center was expanded to include the care of infant and toddlers before the age of 2.
For more information, call the center at 574-457-4983.[[In-content Ad]]
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