The Schoolhouse at Poncha Springs

06/05/2023

Sending all the strength and positive vibes to our Schoolhouse family today!

02/21/2023

https://coloradosun.com/2023/02/21/schoolhouse-closure-poncha-springs-criminal-charges/

Parents are accusing authorities of overreacting to reports of a 5-year-old touching younger classmates, which led to the closure of The Schoolhouse in Poncha Springs.

02/01/2023

https://www.themountainmail.com/news/article_60d8e70a-a117-11ed-8a1b-7befd2e3e61e.html

Following the closure of The Schoolhouse daycare center in Poncha Springs, parents are questioning the way the investigation and subsequent communication was carried out.

02/01/2023

https://arkvalleyvoice.com/judge-recuses-herself-from-the-schoolhouse-cases/

In an announcement at the start of the review of the indictments involving the nonprofit Chaffee Childcare Initiative and The Schoolhouse early childhood

01/30/2023

https://arkvalleyvoice.com/county-executive-session-called-to-review-legal-actions-related-to-cci-and-the-schoolhouse/

The Chaffee Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has called a special BoCC session beginning at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 31. There will be a few items

01/27/2023

Statement #2 from the Chaffee Childcare Initiative Board of Directors (January 26, 2023)

We are dismayed to share that two very valued members of our staff were served with charges today by the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office. We stand by both CCI Executive Director Amy Lovato and The Schoolhouse Site Director Roberta Rodriguez who have shown only care and compassion toward the children who attend The Schoolhouse during their tenures serving our organization and our community. CCI will continue to support Amy and Roberta through this process and are eager for their opportunity to share the true facts of the situation through the judicial process. We look forward to them both being cleared of all charges.

01/26/2023

Following the recent temporary closure of The Schoolhouse, we would like to share this statement -- and thank you all for your support.

Statement on behalf of Chaffee Childcare Initiative & The Schoolhouse (January 25, 2023)

Last week, The Schoolhouse, a childcare center operated by Chaffee Childcare Initiative (CCI), became aware of a three-to-five-minute time period in one of our classrooms, during which the teacher-to-child ratio was not met, as required by Colorado Childcare Rules & Regulations. At no time were the children without adult supervision.

CCI promptly self-reported the situation to DHS and the Colorado Office of Early Childhood - Division of Early Care and Learning Licensing, in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements. On Tuesday, January 24, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office directed The Schoolhouse to close our center pending an investigation into a complaint of Lack of Supervision.

CCI as well as The Schoolhouse management and staff have always been, and will continue to be, ardently dedicated to the well-being, enrichment, and safety of all the children in our care, a responsibility we take very seriously. We appreciate the quick response from DHS and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, and we look forward to a swift resolution to this situation. We are eager to welcome our community’s children and our staff back to The Schoolhouse in the near future.

01/19/2023

01/19/2023

“The T.E.A.C.H. scholarship allowed me to become Director Qualified. I am a single mom on a tight budget. I would never have been able to extend my education and become Director Qualified if it were not for T.E.A.C.H. I thank you for allowing me to have a career in teaching!”

Congratulations on becoming Director Qualified, Michelle! 🎉 You earned it!

To learn more about how T.E.A.C.H. can help you pay for an ECE degree or credential, visit www.ecclacolorado.org/teachscholarships.