Date:1/18/00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ruth Ratliff, director of central development, UNI Office of Development, (319) 273-6078
Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa —A $150,000 gift from the John Deere Foundation to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation has moved an early childhood education center in Waterloo another step closer to construction. The Freeburg Early Childhood Education Program will be operated through the Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education at UNI, in partnership with the Waterloo Community Schools, Allen College and Allen Health Systems, Inc.
“We are excited about the opportunities this program will offer the young children of Waterloo,” said Michael S. Triplett, general manager, John Deere Waterloo Works, in presenting the gift to the UNI Foundation.
The program will be housed in a building, to be known as R.J. McElroy Hall, constructed on the Allen College campus. Groundbreaking is expected to be held later this spring, with completion anticipated in the summer of 2001.
It will enroll children ages three through first grade, and will eventually be expanded to children from infancy through third grade. It will provide developmentally appropriate education in a model facility, and also offer family development programs for the children and their families. Other important components of the program's mission will involve providing pre-service and in-service education for teachers, health professionals and child caregivers.
“I am delighted the John Deere Foundation is joining in this partnership to endorse the early childhood project and help it to become a reality,” said UNI President Robert Koob. “The need for more effective early childhood education is undisputed."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tony Stevens, UNI ETS director, (319) 234-6819
WATERLOO, Iowa— Waterloo Community School District high school stuednts must demonstrate academic competency by achieving a standard score of 251 in content area reading and quantitative thinking on the Iowa Test of Educational Development (ITED). This graduation requirement goes into effect beginning with the class of 2001.
The UNI Educational Talent Search (ETS) program will host a parent meeting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, to explain graduation requirements. The meeting, held at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE), 715 E. 4th St., Waterloo, will also highlight high school course selection for graduation requirements, college admissions and career readiness. A representative from the Waterloo Community School District will also be at the parent meeting.
"There are two things students may not know about that could keep them from achieving their goals— the 251 requirement and high school course selection," according to ETS recruiter/advisor Jason Streed.
The meeting is open to all parents, and refreshments will be served. For more information about the meeting and to pre-register, call the ETS office at (319) 234-6819 before Jan. 22.
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