FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007
Contact: K.E. Schwab
724-738-2199
karl.schwab@sru.edu

State Rep. Gibbons stops by campus childcare center for story time

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. − State Rep. Jaret Gibbons (D - 10th) stopped by the SRU Student Government Association Preschool and Child Care Center last week to share a story book with the youngsters as part of “National Week of the Young Child.”

The week is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the "One Book, Every Young Child" campaign through the Pennsylvania Child Care Association.

Gibbons read Suzanne Bloom’s “A Splendid Friend, Indeed” to the children and toured the McKay Education Building facility.

Child care staff shared the importance of quality, early care and education and the benefits programs such as those offered at the SGA-sponsored center. SRU’s center receives state funds under the Keystone Stars program.

“The Keystone Stars program is a quality assurance and rating system for early childhood programs. The program provides tiered guidelines to insure we are providing the best educational services possible to our youngsters,” Lisa Ringer, center director, said.

The SGA program is one of only three such programs in Butler County with a four-star rating – the highest possible.

“We have used Keystone Stars grant money to upgrade our playground, augment our curriculum, and enhance the learning environment for the children by purchasing new instructional aides and toys,” Ringer said.

Gibbons recently opened an office in the Slippery Rock Borough Building.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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