The first scheduled date for the Ray Ellison Family Center’s completion was set for Jan. 23, 2000, but that date was postponed to August of this year. Unfortunately, the August date could not be met either due to contractor difficulties.
San Antonio homebuilder Ray Ellison donated $200,000 to build the Family Center at Palo Alto. This money was given to the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees,
who were charged with finding a contractor to build the Family Center. The Board of Trustees selected Tally Construction. The Ray Ellison Family Center was supposed to be completed by August 15, 2000, but that deadline was not reached.
A week later, Tally Construction submitted a voluntary letter defaulting on the contract because of financial stress. At the moment, Tally’s bonding company is searching for another contractor to complete the Family Center. The first scheduled date for the Ray Ellison Family Center’s completion was set for Jan. 23, 2000, but that date was postponed to August of this year. Unfortunately, the August date could not be met either due to contractor difficulties.
San Antonio homebuilder Ray Ellison donated
$200,000 to build the Family Center at Palo Alto. This money was given
to the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees, who were charged
with finding a contractor to build the Family Center. The Board of Trustees
selected Tally Construction. The Ray Ellison Family Center was supposed
to be completed by August 15, 2000, but that deadline was not reached.
A week later, Tally Construction submitted a voluntary letter defaulting
on the contract because of financial stress. At the moment, Tally’s
bonding company is searching for another contractor to complete the Family
Center.
Despite on-going construction delays, progress
will be made in other areas. For one, Palo Alto hired a director for the
Family Center. Dr. Laura Beizer, has an extensive background in early
childhood education. She has a master’s degree in Human Development
and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University. Later, Beizer received
her doctorate from UCLA in Developmental Studies in Education. Her doctoral
emphasis was directed toward infant, toddler and preschool development.
After she received her doctorate, Beizer
moved to San Antonio to work at the University of Texas Health Science
Center for nine and a half years. During that time, she was a psychologist
in early childhood development and gave counseling to parents on different
issues they might face.
Beizer’s experience was rewarding, but it wasn’t fulfilling,
so she moved to an educational environment at Our Lady Of The Lake University,
where she worked part-time for less than two years. Later, she learned
of the Family Center opening at Palo Alto and jumped at the opportunity
to work with this new project.
In addition, plans are still being made to
improve the center despite the construction delays. Many supplies have
been ordered for the facility, but they are in temporary storage awaiting
the Family Center’s completion.
The facility also needs to meet the licensing
requirements of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
before it can be accredited by the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC). For accreditation to occur, children must attend
the Ray Ellison Family Center for at least one year.
The Family Center will hold 45 to 60 children
depending on the ages of the kids enrolled. There will be four rooms for
the children, with a kitchen and a full-time cook. Children will be accepted
between the ages of 2 to preschool (4 year olds turning 5). The children
will be separated according to their age and developmental group, so the
kids will feel comfortable in their environment.
Employees of the center will undergo a screening,
criminal history check and approval by ACCD and Palo Alto. Full-time teachers
will have an associates degree or higher in Early Childhood. There is
a possibility students from work-study will be allowed to interact and
assist in taking care of the children. Students interested in this area
will have to complete some hours in a child development course and other
requirements.
It will cost an estimated $98 per week for
each child who is enrolled in the Ray Ellison Family Center. There will
also be scholarships available to assist with the financial cost for those
who are eligible. More information about these scholarships can be found
in the Returning Adult Center from Patricia Parma.
There are also some ambitious plans underway, which will create a fun, educational and interactive environment for the children. The campus will be used for a series of field trips to different departments. For example, children will visit the library and be given a tour of how their system works. Professors from the math or art departments can visit the Ray Ellison Family Center to show the children some educational games. Those are just a few of the scenarios that will take place once the Family Center is complete. For more information, contact Dr. Laura Beizer at 921-5290 or in Room 126 in the Student Center.