Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. will expand the number of available prekindergarten sites this fall under a state-subsidized program targeted to low-income families.
The Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has awarded $71,250 in early education capacity-building grant money to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation. The independent foundation privately funds a variety of educational services in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. designed to enrich students’ educational experience.
BCSC will use the grant funding to double the number of prekindergarten sites offered through the On My Way Pre-K program through the school corporation from two to four, said Gina Pleak, BCSC director of title services.
In addition to the two BCSC sites, On My Way Pre-K funds the cost of tuition for students at 10 designated child care provider sites in Bartholomew County.
Currently, there is one pre-K classroom at Taylorsville Elementary School and three at the Busy Bees Academy at the R.L. Johnson Early Education Center, both of which offer programming through On My Way Pre-K.
The expansion to add Columbus Signature Academy – Fodrea campus and Parkside Elementary School means that recipients of the program may attend those schools, the Busy Bees Academy or Taylorsville Elementary School starting in the fall, Pleak said.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
