HEADLINES:
CARES Helps Children To Prepare For School
David Cavanaugh Is Pennstar Consultant
4-H Club News Sizzlin’ Steaks

CARES Helps Children To Prepare For School
By Stephnie Thornton, Program Manager

Susquehanna County CARES continues in its mission to enhance the quality of early care and education for county residents.  As the state mandated nonprofit group wraps up the fiscal year, it is time to reflect on the major accomplishments during the last 12 months.  The Annual Report Card to the Community found in this publication shows it has been a busy year for Susquehanna County CARES (Childcare, Agencies, Resources and Educational Services.)

Thanks to the dedication of early learning practitioners, school administrators and community leaders, nearly 600 “School Readiness Backpacks” were distributed this spring through the six school districts in Susquehanna County.  The backpacks were given to families with children heading to school for the first time in the fall of 2008.  Inside each pack was a book to read together titled, “Countdown to the First Day of School,” a guide for parents to help prepare youngsters for those first days, a “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” calendar, and a special music CD, “Tuning Up for School.”

Along with the backpacks, CARES also coordinated a special summer program for families with children starting school in the fall.  Called T.A.P.S., or Transition Activities for Parents and Students, the three-week “camp” gave four- and five-year olds a taste of classroom life.  While the children worked with classroom teachers, their parents met with special facilitators to focus on everything from discipline issues to using household items for educational games.

In April, CARES focused on celebrating our young children by working with area businesses on a countywide “Young Art Display.”  Families also joined in by participating in the “CARES Young Children’s Fair” at Mountain View Elementary School.

In May, early learning practitioners were honored with a special “Making Magic” event, and this month also featured “Early Childhood Day with the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees.”

These are just some of the highlights from the last fiscal year.  CARES is already looking ahead, planning other events that promote “Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children” because every child is Pennsylvania’s future.

Studies show children who receive a quality educational start before the age of 5 increase their chance of success later in life.  Susquehanna County CARES will continue in its efforts to help our children receive that important start.  For more information about CARES mission or any of our projects, call (570) 465-5040 or email at stcares@epix.net.

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David Cavanaugh Is Pennstar Consultant

Pennstar Financial Services Vice President Brian Voss recently announced that David Cavanaugh has joined the firm as a financial consultant. In this position, Cavanaugh is responsible for helping clients in Susquehanna County with their financial planning and insurance needs. He is based at Pennstar Bank’s Montrose Office.

Cavanaugh has 23 years of financial services experience. His background includes serving the insurance and investing needs of clients throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. He worked for Community Bankers Insurance Agency, Penn-Weber Insurance and Prudential Insurance.

Cavanaugh is a graduate of Montrose High School and holds several industry-related securities and insurance licenses. He is a resident of Montrose.

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4-H Club News Sizzlin’ Steaks

The Sizzlin Steaks 4-H Club met on June 12, early so that we would be able to work in the memorial garden before the meeting. We really accomplished a lot, and the garden is beginning to look really good.

After we worked for a hour in the garden, we came inside to start the meeting. Christina Zick opened the meeting and we said the pledges. Olivia Zick read the minutes from the last meeting.

We discussed when our bake sale is going to be, and what to bring and what time. The bake sale will be at the Hop Bottom People’s National Bank on Friday, June 27 if it is okay with the bank. Mrs. Mitchell is to check with the bank. Everyone is to bring baked goods that are already wrapped and priced. We will start at 9:00 a.m.

At the next meeting, Autumn, Anna, Evan, and Alyssa are going to be doing there demonstrations. The next meeting is on July 14 at 6:30. Christina did her demonstration on cooking dirt at this meeting.

Mrs. Whitehead will be checking about jackets if she has time before the next meeting.

Our club trip, the train ride is going to be on July 12 at 12:00. Everyone is to be at Steamtown at least by 12:00 as they do not reserve spaces. Mrs. Whitehead will be ordering and picking up hoagies for everyone who is going.

Evan and Alyssa Clarkson are bringing refreshments for the next meeting.

News Reporter: Alyssa Clarkson

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