Building a
better education

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Fredda Satinsky said parents need to know that there are good and bad child-care options for them.
Satinsky, vice president of program development at Federation Early Learning Services, said good child care can help children grow in various ways.
"The first five years of life are the most important," she said.
Satinsky oversees the Lassin Early Learning Center, at 10800 Jamison Ave. The center cares for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering before- and after-school services.
Lassin tries to provide affordable care so parents can work and stay off government assistance programs.
That’s why Satinsky was so happy that Lassin was one of the beneficiaries of scholarships announced last week by the Bridge Educational Foundation.
"The scholarship money makes all the difference in the world," she said.
The announcement took place at Archbishop Ryan High School on Dec. 18. Other beneficiaries of the $25,000 donation were Ryan, St. Jerome, St. Anselm, Our Lady of Consolation and the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club.
The money was provided by CSX Transportation and RBC Capital Markets.
Henry Sallusti, managing director of RBC, and Bill Goetz, a vice president at CSX, addressed the students in Ryan’s honors U.S. history course.
Sallusti and Goetz told the students they should be grateful for their parents’ sacrifice to send them to Catholic school, adding that their companies are glad to provide some assistance.
"Choices for your parents are good," Goetz said.
Other educators on hand to accept the scholarship money included Ryan president Mike McArdle and St. Jerome principal Sharon Nendza.
The Harrisburg-based Bridge Educational Foundation is a non-profit scholarship program established under the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, created in 2001 after lawmakers failed to pass a school vouchers bill.
Businesses receive tax credits for the money they donate to scholarship organizations such as Bridge.
"We are essentially a bridge between today’s employers and tomorrow’s employees," said Peter Gleason, a Harrisburg lawyer who chairs the foundation.
Since it was formed, Bridge has donated money to schools in 33 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. After the event at Ryan, Gleason and other foundation officials made a similar announcement at a school in Grays Ferry.
State Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.) said educational opportunities are important, but that high tuition often forces parents who want to send their kids to private school to make another choice. He thinks the scholarship money will benefit the schools and students.
"Every little bit helps," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com