News
Success! Thank You for Supporting the UPK Fund – Fall 2024 Appeal​
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Dear Friends,
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Thank you! We are thrilled to share that we’ve reached our $50,000 goal for the Fall 2024 fundraising appeal! We could not have done this without the generous support of donors like you and the 1:1 matching grant from the High Peaks Education Foundation.
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Your support is helping us build a bright future for the youngest learners in our community, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
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“As a long time educator, educational leader, North Country native, and Little Peaks parent, I can't thank you enough for your generosity and support for our UPK program at Little Peaks. It plays a vital role in giving the children of Keene and Keene Valley a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. By offering high-quality early education, we ensure that our community’s youngest learners enter kindergarten equipped with the skills, confidence, and curiosity needed to thrive both in school and in our unique mountain community.”
—Dillon Prime, Center Director
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As you know, Little Peaks is committed to providing all children in the Keene Central School district with access to high-quality early education. The launch of our Little Peaks Universal Pre-K (UPK) Fund marks a pivotal step in that mission. Our goal is to ensure that every eligible child—children who are four years old and reside in the Keene Central School district—can attend preschool at no cost to their families.
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While state funding for UPK remains limited, and we are deeply grateful to Keene Central School for its continued support, there’s still a significant gap to cover. With your donation, and thanks to the amazing match from the High Peaks Education Foundation, we’re closing this gap and ensuring that more children can begin their school years with a solid foundation of learning, creativity, and confidence.
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“UPK at Little Peaks not only serves the students enrolled, but also strengthens our entire community. Access to quality UPK has consistently shown to improve high school graduation rates, college attendance, and health outcomes for participating students, as well as increasing the financial health of participating families and stimulating the overall economy of communities in which UPK exists. Thank you so much for your support of UPK at Little Peaks.”
—Katherine Norman, PhD, Education Support Specialist
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Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are making a meaningful difference.
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With gratitude,
Janelle A. Schwartz, PhD
Executive Director