Eighteen members of the Cal Gals — an alumni affinity group of retired educators — stopped by to say hello to 14 children enrolled at the Rutledge Institute preschool.
Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education students greet the Cal Gals.
Cal U’s long tradition in early childhood education meshed with its promising present and future on April 25 at the Karen and Tom Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education.
Eighteen members of the Cal Gals — an alumni affinity group of retired educators — stopped by to say hello to 14 children enrolled at the Rutledge Institute preschool.
Founded with a gift of $4.2 million, the Rutledge Institute supports an innovative preschool on Cal U’s campus. The institute supports an innovative preschool learning program on campus that operates in affiliation with The Village, an accredited early childhood education center in downtown California, Pa.
The Rutledge Institute funds annual scholarships for up to 20 local children, ages 3-5, to attend the institute's preschool program.
It also pays tuition, fees and room costs for Rutledge Scholars, a select group of highly qualified students who enroll in Cal U's childhood education program.
On April 25, the Cal Gals met Cherie Sears, president of The Village and director of the Rutledge Institute Preschool Program; and Ashley Baird Roth, the Village’s director and instructor in the Department of Childhoods Education.
The Cal Gals then were introduced to the 14 preschoolers. With help from Rutledge scholars Rebecca Sheaming and Elizabeth Moon, the children sang “Spread Kindness” and “The Penguin Song.”
Colleen Arnowitz ´75, ´97, a retired educator in the Charleroi School District, enjoyed her first visit to the institute.
“I think this is amazing. The Rutledges are very generous and have put this in very capable hands,” she said. “When you look back at the old Noss School on campus and our history with education, to have a dedicated early childhood center for the children and our students is really something."
Apply now
Applications are being accepted for fall classes at the Rutledge Institute preschool, a state-of-the-art early childhood education program based at California University of Pennsylvania.
Families that meet income guidelines are eligible for free preschool/pre-kindergarten education and childcare for children ages 3-5.
The full-time learning program runs Monday through Friday, year-round, in a dedicated facility on Cal U’s campus.
The preschool is operated by The Village, an accredited early childhood education center based in downtown California, Pa. Certified teachers from The Village are assisted by Rutledge Institute Scholars, top Cal U students who are studying childhood education.
All children attending the preschool receive full scholarships funded through the Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education.
Each scholarship recipient is required to attend preschool classes at least five hours per day, five days a week. In addition, parents or guardians must attend two free workshops each quarter or participate in four hours of pre-approved volunteer activities.
For information and applications, visit www.thevillagecares.org.