As the Octorara Area School District registrar for over the past 20 years I would like to tell you that each and every registration that I have done since the Early Learning Center’s inception has been nothing but praise. I have not heard one negative comment from any parent that I met.

When the parents would come to register their child/children they would be upset knowing they had to move on and leave such a great school. They talked about how their child/children loved their teacher and cried knowing they wouldn’t be able to go back to such a wonderful school. I am sure the first grade teachers in the Primary Learning Center look forward to having students from the ELC because they come so prepared.
On a personal level I have a grandson attending the Early Learning Center and have been amazed with all the things he has learned so far. Like all the other kindergarteners, he is like a sponge. They absorb all the knowledge that is given and Our Lady of Consolation Early Learning Center is responsible for making those “sponges” expand to capacity.

-Bernadette Maurer



Sending our son David to the ELC was not an easy decision for us. To be honest, the cost was a big roadblock. But after thinking it through the benefits far outweighed the costs.

For one, David just turned 5 in August; he was young going into Kindergarten. We felt the ½ day at public school might leave him floundering. The full day class at the ELC allows him to get the full benefit of the curriculum and really have a chance to learn and apply what is being taught. In addition, the full day program gives stability to David’s schedule. I work part-time and our alternative plans would have meant that he would be bounced between home, school and day care on various days which would change each week. The ELC provides a consistent reliable schedule for him. Finally, the expense; after figuring out what daycare would cost for a few days, how busing would be affected and to what extent I would need to provide private transportation to and from school …the expense was a nominal increase to what I would be spending anyway.

Half way through the school year, David is thriving with his school work. He is beginning to add, tell time and read the temperature on our thermometer. He is doing great with his letters and is beginning to read at home. I am impressed not only with the quality of his education but with his teacher as well. I am thrilled with our decision to send David to the ELC and cannot speak highly enough of this program.

-Angie Raabe

Parent
Testimonials
We appreciate the small class size and the 1:1 attention that is given when needed.  The yearly calendar of events along with the monthly newsletters have kept us abreast of the activities at the school; not to mention the daily “after class discussion” regarding the day’s lesson.  Paige looks forward to attending class and often mimics Miss. Shelly and Miss. Kim when reading at home.  She will even sing the “clean up” song when putting her things away.  It has been a great experience for us and we look forward to next year.

Beth Linnenbaugh- Paige (2 ½ year old class)



We have both of our daughters in the Early Learning Center and couldn’t be more pleased with the education they are receiving here!  The classroom is warm and welcoming and the teachers are excellent at balancing their student’s educational, social, and play needs.  We know our older daughter, who is in the four-year-old class, has a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to succeed in kindergarten in the fall, thanks to her two years here.  Our younger daughter is thriving in the three-year-old class and has made so many new friends and learned so much this year that we’re very excited to send her back to The Early Learning Center next year.

Susan and Andrew Smyles- Diana (4 year old class) and Jillian (3 year old class)



We love the constant feedback we get about Rose’s progress.  We really feel that Miss. Jen knows Rose and cares about her.  We love all of the opportunities there are for parent involvement in class.  We would definitely recommend it to others.

Kimberly Drumeler- Rose (4 year old class)



In a world of video games and high tech toys, it’s nice to see the children using their imaginations.  The “hands on” approach is very evident when we see some of the many projects our son brings home.  We would recommend the Early Learning Center to anyone as it touches upon all the subjects and is a great way to get children ready for the future that lies ahead.  In this day and age, it’s nice to see children with manners coming out of a classroom.

Candy and Joe McGrogan- Gabriel (pre-k class)



Wow, what can I say?  Amazing!  Both of our sons have gone through the program from 2 ½ years old up.  Our first son is in first grade this year and is far ahead of the rest of the kids due to all the hard work Ms. Janice put into his kindergarten class.  Our second son will be in kindergarten next year and we would never think of sending him anywhere but Our Lady of Consolation with Ms. Janice.  From the beginning (2 ½) to the finish (kindergarten) we have been very impressed with this program!

Mary Ann Riess-  Liam (4 year old class)



OLC-ELC is a great place.  I am now in the process of putting my third child through the school.  There isn’t a class we missed; there isn’t a class we wish we never experienced.  My children loved every minute- playing with friends, doing different activities, and learning new things.  Every teacher there pours a lot of love into the kids and the class.  I am glad we found this school and I will be sad when my kids are done at the school.

Sally Meyer- Elizabeth (2 ½ year old class)


This page was last updated: January 8, 2010