Gold Stars for Grenloch!
Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center Honored with Rare Four-Star Rating from Grow NJ Kids
GTECC is First School in Camden and Gloucester County to Receive the Rating
For Immediate Release
December 19, 2024
GTECC staff gather for a group photo with the new 4-star banner from Grow NJ Kids.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – It was a gold-star kind of afternoon at Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center. Make that a 4-gold-star kind of afternoon.
GTECC staff and District administration gathered in the school’s all-purpose room on Thursday, December 19th, as Grow NJ Kids representative Liz Nichols presented the official banner honoring Grenloch for earning a prestigious 4-star rating. It is the first public school in either Gloucester or Camden County to receive such laurels.
“This just shows the commitment you have made to the importance of early childhood education,” Nichols said. “It sometimes goes unnoticed, but it is so very clearly appreciated what you do every day.”
GTECC principal Christina Cox helped Nichols unfurl and present the banner, then made sure to stress how it was the efforts of the entire preschool staff, from assistant to teacher to administration, that helped the school earn this rating. She did give extra kudos to preschool instructional coach Kim Longfellow, who was instrumental in the process of achieving the 4-star rating.
The 4-star rating is determined through a system that scores programs in five categories:
- Safe, Healthy Learning Environment
- Curriculum and Learning Environment
- Family and Community Engagement
- Workforce/Professional Development and Training – Staff Credentials
- Administration and Management
Within each of those categories are six to 10 subcategories, which much be documented just to start the rating process. The second piece of the rating requires an interview with state representatives to review data and student profiles, a review of all professional development and family outreach initiatives with the NJ Department of Education, three-hour classroom observations of eight randomly selected special education and general education classrooms using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale, and further development of goals to continue improvement.
“The dedication and tireless efforts of our preschool team is what made this possible,” District Director of Elementary Education Gretchen Gerber said. “Their commitment to excellence is what drives the success of our program.”
Grow NJ Kids representative Liz Nichols (left) and Christina Cox unveil Grenloch’s 4-Star banner, while GTECC mascot Grady T cheers them on.
Preschool instructional coach Kim Longfellow, who was instrumental in GTECC earning the 4-star rating, smiles while being congratulated by GTECC school counselor Lauren Krupa.
GTECC staff members Taylor Edwards (left) and Andie Labb hold up gold-star ornaments that were given to each of the faculty as a symbol of their efforts in earning the school’s 4-star rating.
- WTPS -