Sen. Harding: New Torrington early learning a “critically important” education resource

RIBBON CUT AT LEARNING CENTER

BY SLOAN BREWSTER
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

TORRINGTON — A tour and ribbon cutting at EdAdvance’s new Early Childhood Learning Center on Grove Street revealed cheery classrooms with their own restrooms and emergency exits.

Tour goers during the event, which took place Thursday, marveled at the bathrooms set against the sides of each individual classroom, even stealing peeks at tiny, child-size toilets.

The 20,000-square-foot two-story building was erected on the site of the former Sacred Heart church and affixed to the approximately 4,500-square-foot former convent.

Classrooms and some offices are in the new building. The convent area, which was completely renovated with walls in some rooms removed to make spaces larger, contains more office space, break rooms and a kitchen.

Director of Head Start Carmella Galipault pointed to an office in a space that previously housed two nuns’ bedrooms.

The school area has rooms for parents to meet with educators and where meetings and conferences take place, according to Galipault, who led the tour, opening each room to give folks a chance to peer in or wander around and check out the space.

There was a classroom for speech and language programs, a little breakout room and a tech room. A room now known as “the gross motor room,” a space for children to play in when weather prevents outdoor activities, will be getting a new name, Galipault said. Children are voting on the moniker. At the moment “The Ruckus Room” is in the lead.

State Rep. Michelle L. Cook (D-65th) and state Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30th) explored the rooms, commenting on how the tables, chairs, toy and tools were perfect for age groups assigned to various spaces.

Director of Early Childhood and Family Programs Michelle Anderson said the state-funded Head Start Program run in the school is free of charge for low-income families.

Cook, who is chairwoman of the Legislative Early Childhood Caucus, Harding and EdAdvance Executive Director Jonathan P. Costa, Sr., spoke briefly after a group gathered at the building’s entrance and cut the ribbon.

Costa introduced staff and thanked all the important players, including construction firm A. Secondino & Son and Thomaston Savings Bank, which helped finance the project and get it rolling.

Cook, noting that slots for early childhood education are sparse, said she was happy that not only Torrington families but families from the region have a safe place for their children.

She commented on her efforts in the capital to increase salaries for underpaid early childhood educators.

“Part of my goal has really been about elevating this industry,” she said.

Cook also said Anderson assured her the facility partners with other local early childhood education providers and “does not interrupt any facility.”

“That’s important to me because we want to make sure that our small businesses and our early childhood facilities can still do the job that they are doing,” she said.

Harding said he has children around the same age as those enrolled at the school and understands first hand the importance of resources for early childhood education.

“Getting a good head start in education life is so critically important to your entire career path trajectory as you go into adulthood,” he said.

Started late last year, the $7.6 million project, finished on time and within budget, according to EdAdvance COO Rich Carmelich.