PEAK Celebrates Month of the Young Child

The Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK) will hold its annual family-outreach event, April 13, from 1 – 3 p.m., and will feature family-friendly activities, as well as an opportunity to interact with an agency specializing in the field of early development.

The outreach event is in recognition of April as “The Month of the Young Child,” and will take place at the Pottstown YMCA, located 724 N. Adams St.

“It’s a fun afternoon for families and children,” Mary Reick, PEAK coordinator, said.

Among the fun activities and family attractions planned for the free event are petting zoo, moon bounce, free snacks; as well as appearances by Smokey the Bear and Pipper the Clown.

The Pottstown Police Department’s K9 unit is also expected to provide a special demonstration at 2 p.m.

Nearly 40 early- childhood education agencies and early learning programs will have tables set up inside the YMCA gymnasium to provide information for participating families. [See end of article for list of confirmed attending agencies]

According to Reick, PEAK offers professional development and support to local, county and state agencies and programs that serve families with children ages 3-4 years old, as well as licensed childcare programs in Pottstown.

“Pretty much if you’re working with young families, we want to work with you,” Reick said.

Reick, who has been the PEAK coordinator for the last seven years, said that PEAK is an initiative originating out of the Pottstown School District. The initiative was started eight years ago, when now Pottstown School District superintendent Dr. Jeff Sparagana saw a need for such an initiative.

“He saw a lot of kids from the community were not adequately prepared for the work in kindergarten,” Reick explained. “He wanted to improve their readiness in partnership with the community.”

PEAK, which is still coordinated through the school district, is a unique collaboration in Pottstown, Reick said. As such, it is funded through various local, county and state grants.

According to Reick, PEAK strives for a comprehensive approach to its mission. In addition to supporting community partners working to prepare young children for academic success, PEAK also partners with several health agencies, including the Montgomery County Health Department and Community Health and Dental Care.

The April 13 PEAK outreach event will take place rain or shine. For more information, visit the PEAK website.

Confirmed early development agencies and vendors attending the PEAK event:

• Albert Einstein Medical
• Autism Team
• Child Care Information Services
• Community Health & Dental
• Coventry Cares
• Dotlen Academy
• Early Head Start
• Family Center
• Montgomery County Head Start
• Kiwanis Club
• Pottstown Regional Public Library
• Montgomery Early Learning Centers
• Nurse/Family Partnership
• Olivet Boys and Girls
• PEAK
• Pottstown High School Child Care
• PMMC
• Potstown Parks & Rec
• SERK
• TCN
• The Hill School
• Victory Christian
• Walnut Street Community Church
• Warwick Child Care Center
• Women's Center of Mont. Co.
• Pottstown YMCA
• YWCA Tri-County Area
• PSD Wellness Committee
• First Home Care
• Jessie R. Wagner Elementary
• Healthy Start
• Boardwalk Pizza Family Fun
• In Ians Boots