Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Celebrates “Topping Off” for Harrisburg Center
HERSHEY, Pa. – July 10, 2023 – Today Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), along with its facilities team, partners, and supporters, celebrated the “topping off” of CHS’ Harrisburg location by placing the final beam. The almost 47,000-square-foot structure, located at the corner of North 6th and Muench Streets, will serve children from birth to age 5 from under-resourced and over-burdened backgrounds with all costs covered for qualifying families.
“Today marks an important milestone in the development of our second Early Childhood Education Center and advances CHS’ mission to positively impact children, their families, and the communities we serve,” said Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Executive Director Senate Alexander. “We are excited to work with the Harrisburg community to provide nurturing learning environments for our children and support for their families.”
CHS Harrisburg, scheduled to open in 2024, is part of Milton Hershey School’s $350 million initiative to initially develop six Early Childhood Education Centers in Pennsylvania. Its program focuses on supporting the whole child, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and values to grow into their best selves. It incorporates a play-based curriculum to enhance children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development and features an innovation studio, gross motor room, STEM garden, and family success center, where families can be connected to tools and resources to support their children in the classroom and at home.
In addition to CHS’ facilities team and partners, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and Harrisburg Councilman Ralph Rodriguez joined CHS to mark the special occasion.
“It has been incredible to see firsthand the development of the Harrisburg center and witness the growing excitement in the community since CHS broke ground last year,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. “Investing in our children has always been my top priority, and a project like CHS Harrisburg is a prime example of our progress. I look forward to supporting CHS as they work toward making a lasting impact on children and families through its initiative.”
CHS Harrisburg teachers and staff, which are currently being hired, will begin CHS’ nearly year-long professional development program later this year. The program will set them up for success before CHS Harrisburg opens in 2024.
ABOUT CATHERINE HERSHEY SCHOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNING
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) will provide non-residential, year-round weekday care and education to children from birth to age 5 from under-resourced and over-burdened backgrounds, with all costs covered for qualifying families. CHS is a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School (MHS) and is part of a $350 million initiative to develop six Early Childhood Education Centers in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit chslearn.org.
ABOUT MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus and receive an exceptional educational experience—with all costs covered. For more information, visit mhskids.org.
