Last week, Governor Janet Mills announced that 14 school administrative units will receive a total of $2.7 million in grant funding from the Maine Department of Education to create or expand pre-K programs in the 2022-2023 school year.
The grants, funded through the Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, increases program availability and accessibility for more than 500 four-year-old children in Maine. Limestone Community School (LCS), in partnership with Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), was one of Aroostook County’s successful applications. The LCS/ACAP application will extend the pre-k which is currently half-day to a full school day.
“We are excited to work in partnership with LCS to expand their current half-day pre-k program to a full school day program offering Head Start comprehensive services,” says Megan Barnes, ACAP Director of Programs. “Bringing comprehensive, whole family services to the partnership will build relationship with families to be engaged in their child’s education now and in the future.”
Attending pre-k prepares children for future success in school. ACAP will bring their wide-ranging child development, health and whole family services to the partnership benefitting the enrolled children and their families. The new full day schedule will support families allowing them to balance work, school and child care needs. The pre-k expansion grants are a step closer to bringing accessible, high quality early learning experiences to the children of Maine.
LCS principal Ben Lothrop expressed his excitement over the new work: “LCS is thrilled to be partnering with ACAP to provide this opportunity for Pre-K expansion to the families of Limestone. It’s an amazing chance to not only fully prepare our children as they begin their educational journey, but eliminate some of the headaches for families that need child care after a half day program ends. We’re excited to have these kiddos here at LCS all day!”
Children who will be four years old by October 15, 2022 are eligible to attend pre-k. If you are interested in more information, please apply by calling Ben Lothrop, LCS, at 207-325-4700 or Marci Driscoll, ACAP, at 207-551-4212.
