We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Darlene Kovacs, our Executive Director, who retired at Thanksgiving time. Unfortunately, we were not able to celebrate with a typical retirement party due to the pandemic restrictions. Admin staff and our Early Connections Board President, Jamie Schumacher, extended a big thanks to Darlene (pictured), on behalf of everyone! 

We are thankful for her years of service and dedication to Early Connections. Additional funding obtained during her time of leadership helped provide opportunities to serve more children within our community. 

Darlene, on behalf of our Early Connections’ Board, our staff, and the children and families that we serve, we wish you well as you enjoy your next chapter in life! 

Early Connections wants to share great news with parents of infants and toddlers! We have funded spots available in some of our centers for qualifying children under age 3, through the Infant Toddler Contracted Slots program. This provides your child with an opportunity for a high-quality child care and early education experience at no cost to you if you meet program requirements. There are several toddler spots available right now at our City Center location! 

Please call the Early Learning Resource Center at 836-5898 and ask for more information about Infant Toddler Contracted Slots, or call City Center directly at 456-4576 – act quickly because available spots will fill soon!

Early Connections takes COVID-19 and the safety of our children, families, and staff very seriously. We are following all protocols published by the CDC and Department of Human Services, and we are cleaning and disinfecting centers throughout the day.

In the event someone at your child’s center tests positive for COVID, we will notify you promptly.

Under certain specific circumstances, we are required to shut down the center for 2 days for disinfecting. If this happens, we will notify you immediately and keep you updated about reopening the center.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.

Dear PreK Counts Families,

We’re sharing some information with you in case you haven’t yet decided whether or not your child will return to Early Connections for this year’s PKC program.

Yes, you can decide to have your child attend Early Connections for PKC – we have a strict protocol in place, including taking temperatures, wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and sanitizing/disinfecting classrooms and materials. We are making it as safe as we possibly can so that everyone stays healthy!

If you decide you do not want your child in a classroom yet, but you do want him/her to have the benefits of PKC, we also offer a remote option!

1. All PKC children who are participating remotely will receive a packet every 2 weeks. You can pick this up, or request that it be mailed to you. The packet will contain 10 activities for you and your child to do together, and thanks to Hooked on Books, there will also be a book for each child to keep.
2. In addition, if your family has internet access, there will also be information provided by your child’s teacher to link you and your child with an activity every day. You’ll have the opportunity to communicate with the teacher, and to post photos or videos of your child enjoying the activity!

If you’re not ready to decide yet, please contact Early Connections for more information to help you make the best decision for your family:

City Center, 704 State Street, 814-456-4576

North East, 50 East Division Street, North East, email mheslop@earlyconnectionserie.org

Union City, 16380 Rte 8, Union City, 814-438-7016

John E. Horan Garden Apartments, 730 Tacoma Road, 814-454-9713

Harbor Homes, 1841 East 18^th Street, 814-899-3310

Thank you,

Darlene E. Kovacs

Executive Director

NEW PLAYGROUND FENCE AT CITY CENTER

Installation of City Center’s new playground fence last week was made possible through the generous support of the Erie Community Foundation. Thank you for helping us improve the safety and appearance of our playground!

#GivingTuesdayNow is underway, a global day of giving and unity created as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. We are asking for your support to help us purchase personal protection equipment and thermometers now needed at our centers due to COVID-19. 

Dine & Donate Event to Benefit Early Connections

Ready for some BBQ? During the week of February 24th – 29th you can enjoy some delicious, authentic Texas barbeque at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit while showing your support for Early Connections. Simply present a copy of the flyer at the time of checkout, then place your receipt in the designated donation box. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will donate 10% of the sales to Early Connections. Dine in or carry out ALL WEEK LONG.
*Online orders cannot be counted towards donations. Flyer must be presented at time of purchase. No cell phone pictures of flyer will be accepted.