Pre-K Center in Perth Amboy

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Ribbon Cutting with Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, Superintendent of Schools Jack Rodecker at 2 pm

New grantee for Head Start in Middlesex County has partnered with Perth Amboy Public Schools

This facility is one of four facilities Acelero has upgraded across the county, and they will provide over 60,000 hours of additional summer services

News provided by

Acelero Learning

Sep 30, 2010, 09:17 ET

PERTH AMBOY, N.J., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Acelero Learning Monmouth/Middlesex County (ALMMC) is opening a newly renovated Head Start/Pre-K Center in partnership with the Perth Amboy Public Schools. The center will serve 90 children funded by the federal Head Start program and the NJ Pre-K program administered by the Perth Amboy Public Schools. The center is one of four new facilities Acelero Learning has or will bring on-line to serve children and families in Middlesex County since being named as the replacement grantee for the Middlesex County Head Start program in May of 2010.

"For too long, children in Head Start languished in substandard facilities and did not receive the full benefit of the State of New Jersey Pre-K program," said Rosa Thorpe, Executive Director of Acelero Learning Monmouth/Middlesex County. "Today, that all changes. Children enrolled in Head Start in Perth Amboy will now receive the benefit of over $650,000 in annual Pre-K funding, helping pay for things we know make a difference. This includes a state-certified teacher in every classroom and small class sizes. We are so grateful to the District for their leadership and support during the transition process."

"The Perth Amboy Preschool Program is pleased to welcome Acelero Learning to our community," said Mary Jo Sperlazza, Perth Amboy's Early Childhood Supervisor. "We are excited to service additional children and partner with Acelero's staff. Our additional services will benefit the Head Start families. We look forward to positive relationships with the Head Start families and staff."

"This is just one step on our journey to build a world-class Head Start program here in Middlesex County," continued Executive Director Rosa Thorpe. "All told, we have opened or will open new or newly renovated centers in North Brunswick, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Perth Amboy. These new centers will serve 300 children in Head Start in world class facilities. In addition, we will operate all classrooms on a year-round basis, providing over 60,000 hours of additional Head Start services for children and families, all using the same amount of federal funds."

"We are excited about providing high-quality Head Start services for so many additional children and families in Middlesex County," said Mr. Doug Whiteman, chair of the Board of Directors for Acelero Learning Monmouth/Middlesex County and an executive with Penguin Putnam. "We know our approach of investing in high-quality services makes an enormous difference for the children and families we serve. We are delighted to build on our success to- date in Monmouth County and welcome 655 new children and their families to our Acelero family!"

Acelero Learning has developed a national reputation for helping local communities improve the quality of their Head Start program. "Each of our local partnerships have resulted in improved and expanded services for children and families, higher teacher salaries, and a clear focus on making a real difference in the lives of children and families," said Aaron Lieberman, the Founder and CEO of Acelero Learning's Support Center, based in Harlem. "We are really excited to help Acelero Learning Monmouth/Middlesex County grow to help even more children get a true Head Start, in school, and in life."

www.acelero.net

SOURCE Acelero Learning