Day care center to open
Katie Coppock named director

Misty Travis photo Deb Fisher (left) and Katie Coppock are preparing to meet children when the St. Mark Community Day Care in Emporium opens its doors on Oct. 1. The wall painting is part of a graduation project by Cameron County High School students Leslie Bickford and Ashlee Metcalf.

St. Mark Community Day Care is accepting registrations and preparing to open its doors to the public on Oct. 1.

It's a licensed day care pledged to provide children with "a safe, nurturing environment to help promote social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and moral life learning skills."

"We believe it is important to bring out each child's talents and individuality," explained Katie Coppock, recently hired as director.

To that end, children will be involved with games, crafts, songs, playing, field trips, and a cognitive pre-K curriculum. Although the facility shares its name with St. Mark's Catholic Church, no specific Roman Catholic practices will be taught.

Full-time, part-time, and partial day care will be available for children age six weeks and up, as well as before- and after-school care. The center will be open from 5:45 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. Coppock said anyone with a need for care during other hours should contact the center to discuss options.

Those registering by Sept. 14 receive a discounted rate of $115 per week for full-time enrollment and $24 per day for part-time enrollment. Discounts are available when enrolling multiple children. Parents should stop by the day care center, located behind St. Mark's parish, to pick up a registration packet, or call 486-0784.

Government assistance is available for those who are eligible. Coppock advises anyone seeking financial help to contact Northern Tier Community Action Corp.

Katie Coppock is a 2001 graduate of Cameron County High School. She is the daughter of Alan and Cindy Ramsey of Emporium and is married to Christopher Coppock, a 2000 graduate of Cameron County High School.

She graduated with honors from Messiah College with a degree in elementary education. She most recently worked as a teacher of three-yearolds and as an eighth-grade language arts teacher.