Wednesday, November 4, 2009

PLANTATION KEY -- St. James Children's Center is offering two full and three partial scholarships for its nationally accredited preschool at mile marker 87.5, bayside.

The scholarships will provide tuition assistance from the time the scholarships are announced until June 2010.

All families needing tuition assistance are encouraged to visit the preschool between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays to pick up an application. Children are also welcome to visit.

"St. James Children's Center is pleased to be able to provide these scholarships to our community in these difficult times," said Director Sue Ellen Bennett. "We know families are struggling and we really want to help children who cannot attend preschool due to economic need."

Scholarship applications will also be available at the school's 25th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion being held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The party is open to the public and alumni are encouraged to attend.

The deadline for returning the one-page scholarship application is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30. Scholarship winners will be drawn by lottery at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at center.

St. James Children's Center is the only preschool in the Upper Keys accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The non-profit preschool is located at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church and is a school readiness provider through both Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten for four-year-olds and Wesley House. The center has also earned a Gold Seal of quality care through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.

To be eligible, a child must be at least 2.5 years old and potty trained. Children who are currently enrolled with tuition assistance from VPK, Wesley House or other programs are not eligible for scholarship funds.

Families winning either full or partial scholarships in the lottery will be required to pay the regular registration fee of $160.

For more information, call Bennett at 852-2161.