Summit on kindergarten planned in Canfield

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership for Education is hosting its first Kindergarten Readiness Summit at 9 a.m. next Wednesday at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, 7300 N. Palmyra Road.

Early-childhood educators, kindergarten teachers, school administrators and behavioral-development specialists from Ashtabula, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties will gather to discuss children’s needs as they relate to kindergarten readiness.

Interested participants can register online at www.rjweanfdn.org, by e-mailing info@easternohiop16.org or by calling 330-394-3358.

The registration deadline is today, and the event is open to the first 200 registrants.

Keynote speaker will be Valora Washington of Cambridge, Mass., founder and president of Community Advocates for Young Learners Institute. Washington is a recognized national authority in early-childhood care and education and has organized and developed initiatives targeting policy change.

The event is free, thanks to the support of PNC Bank.

“PNC is well aware of the importance of quality early education and provides support for this initiative through its signature philanthropic program, Grow Up Great,” said Ryan Pastore, director of client and community relations. “Linking preschool and kindergarten teachers is essential to the success of our youngest learners, and we at PNC are proud to support this vital step.”

Leading partners in the project include The Raymond John Wean Foundation, MCCTC and United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley – Success by Six.