The university just confirmed they are keeping our doors open for the next academic year. I am overwhelmed with relief that our children get to stay in the place they love. Thank you for helping me fight for this community when it felt like we were being ignored.
May 13, 2024
Final supporters
On Thursday morning, February 15th, parents were informed that after 90 years in service, the St. Kate's Early Childhood Center will be closing on May 24th.
This abrupt closure comes without any prior warning to families or staff. All of us are shocked and devastated by this decision.
A message from the St. Kate's CFO, Tracey Gran, indicates that the decision making process took years yet there was zero involvement of ECC stakeholders (parents, teachers, ECC staff) in the process:
"the operations and finances of this center have grown increasingly difficult to manage...The evaluation of the viability of the ECC was undertaken over a number of years, and was not a light or quick decision."
No opportunity was given to either staff or families to provide feedback, share information, or discuss possible alternative routes, which is extremely disappointing.
As parents we are asking University Leadership and Board of Regents to reconsider this decision, or at the very least, delay the decision longer than 3 months to allow parents to secure alternate childcare options.
If supporting families, children, and the larger St. Kate's community means something to you, we sincerely ask that you sign on in support of saving the ECC.
- Thank you from all the ECC Families
Updates
February 18, 2024
I have spent the last few days meeting with other families to figure out how we can possibly bridge the gap left by this sudden closure. It is heart-wrenching to look at your children and realize the stability they rely on is being pulled away for the sake of internal finances. We are currently preparing a formal proposal to present to the Board regarding a transition plan.
February 18, 2024
Seeing this much momentum gives me genuine hope that the university might finally open their doors to us. It feels incredible to see so many people recognize that our center is worth fighting for.
Reached 100 supporters
February 18, 2024
95 Comments
This was by far the best childcare program in the area. It’s a community asset and resource worth saving. I’m devastated for the hardworking staff, families and kids that were given little prior notice.
This was a safe affordable place for me as a student to send my child. We moved across the world and now my son skipped a grade and is top of his class in a multilingual environment and I credit his advancement to the years he spent at ECC.
The ECC is important not only for the families and staff directly involved, but, in my opinion, for the mission of Saint Catherine's University. The presence of the youngest students brings vitality and real life perspective to Campus.
Our granddaughter has benefitted greatly from this school. Please reconsider it’s closing, or at least adjust the timeline to allow parents a longer window to find alternative schools. Thank you very much.
Transparency and stakeholder involvement - this lesson needs to be learned over and over apparently. I urge University Leadership and the Board of Regents to rethink this, and offer some amends beyond the information that should have been provided a long time ago.
I have been working their for the past 3 years I have been at college and the ECC provides so much to the campus. I encourage that the ECC remains open even if under different ownership
Although my children are adults now and have children, I'm signing on the behalf of those parents, staff and teachers who weren't informed about the EEC closing. It's upsetting to know that the people who deal directly with the children are the last to know...or for any matter, didn't know about the closing. Honestly, I feel so saddened for everyone. I hope there's a more positive resolve to this situation than a closing once the petition goal is met.
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The university just confirmed they are keeping our doors open for the next academic year. I am overwhelmed with relief that our children get to stay in the place they love. Thank you for helping me fight for this community when it felt like we were being ignored.
May 13, 2024
Final supporters
On Thursday morning, February 15th, parents were informed that after 90 years in service, the St. Kate's Early Childhood Center will be closing on May 24th.
This abrupt closure comes without any prior warning to families or staff. All of us are shocked and devastated by this decision.
A message from the St. Kate's CFO, Tracey Gran, indicates that the decision making process took years yet there was zero involvement of ECC stakeholders (parents, teachers, ECC staff) in the process:
"the operations and finances of this center have grown increasingly difficult to manage...The evaluation of the viability of the ECC was undertaken over a number of years, and was not a light or quick decision."
No opportunity was given to either staff or families to provide feedback, share information, or discuss possible alternative routes, which is extremely disappointing.
As parents we are asking University Leadership and Board of Regents to reconsider this decision, or at the very least, delay the decision longer than 3 months to allow parents to secure alternate childcare options.
If supporting families, children, and the larger St. Kate's community means something to you, we sincerely ask that you sign on in support of saving the ECC.
- Thank you from all the ECC Families
Updates
February 18, 2024
I have spent the last few days meeting with other families to figure out how we can possibly bridge the gap left by this sudden closure. It is heart-wrenching to look at your children and realize the stability they rely on is being pulled away for the sake of internal finances. We are currently preparing a formal proposal to present to the Board regarding a transition plan.
February 18, 2024
Seeing this much momentum gives me genuine hope that the university might finally open their doors to us. It feels incredible to see so many people recognize that our center is worth fighting for.
Reached 100 supporters
February 18, 2024
95 Comments
We have had an incredible experience with our first 2 children at St Kates- it is a truly special place. We have a 3 year old who we'd planned to send there next fall. This is a huge loss for the community and for our family- we hope this is reconsidered.
This was by far the best childcare program in the area. It’s a community asset and resource worth saving. I’m devastated for the hardworking staff, families and kids that were given little prior notice.
This was a safe affordable place for me as a student to send my child. We moved across the world and now my son skipped a grade and is top of his class in a multilingual environment and I credit his advancement to the years he spent at ECC.
The ECC is important not only for the families and staff directly involved, but, in my opinion, for the mission of Saint Catherine's University. The presence of the youngest students brings vitality and real life perspective to Campus.
Our granddaughter has benefitted greatly from this school. Please reconsider it’s closing, or at least adjust the timeline to allow parents a longer window to find alternative schools. Thank you very much.
Transparency and stakeholder involvement - this lesson needs to be learned over and over apparently. I urge University Leadership and the Board of Regents to rethink this, and offer some amends beyond the information that should have been provided a long time ago.
I have been working their for the past 3 years I have been at college and the ECC provides so much to the campus. I encourage that the ECC remains open even if under different ownership
Although my children are adults now and have children, I'm signing on the behalf of those parents, staff and teachers who weren't informed about the EEC closing. It's upsetting to know that the people who deal directly with the children are the last to know...or for any matter, didn't know about the closing. Honestly, I feel so saddened for everyone. I hope there's a more positive resolve to this situation than a closing once the petition goal is met.
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We have had an incredible experience with our first 2 children at St Kates- it is a truly special place. We have a 3 year old who we'd planned to send there next fall. This is a huge loss for the community and for our family- we hope this is reconsidered.