County officials choose Glendale Unified’s early-education program for $250K grant

Some of Glendale’s youngest minds will benefit from a $250,000 check that county officials presented to Glendale Unified officials this week to support the district’s early-education programs, which serve about 375 preschoolers.

Kathryn Barger, chief deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, presented the check during a Glendale school board meeting on Tuesday.

“It’s not every day that we get $250,000 donated to us,” said board member Greg Krikorian. “This is a serious thing.”

Barger said the funds were provided to county officials overseeing the Fifth District by the nonprofits Los Angeles Universal Preschool and First 5 Los Angeles. It was then up to county officials to decide which program to support in their district.

After a competitive grant application process, Barger said officials selected Glendale Unified’s early-education program, which has 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled across seven preschool centers, as the grant’s recipient.

“We realized this money … is going to go toward really enhancing an amazing program that you are building and that you already have,” Barger said.

The funds will provide tools that preschoolers can use to develop math, language, art and technology skills, including introductory computer programs in various subject areas.

The grant will also pay for portable outdoor play equipment to promote motor-skill development, said Rebeca Andrade, assistant director of Glendale Unified’s early education and extended learning programs.

--

Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan