Jack and Jill Preschool, Lehighton, has announced a new scholarship program for the educational needs of 3-year-old children from the Lehighton area.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lehighton, which sponsors Jack and Jill Preschool, has set aside money to begin these new scholarships to help offset the cost of preschool for families who may not be able to afford the cost of tuition.Children who will be at least 3 years old by Sept. 1, 2013 and two years from starting kindergarten may be registered in a primary class at Jack and Jill this fall. Families of children who are this age, live in the Lehighton school district and have a limited household income may qualify for all or part of these new scholarships to cover the cost of preschool tuition.Children who will be at least 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2013 and one year from starting kindergarten may be registered in a pre-kindergarten class at Jack and Jill Preschool this fall. Families of children who are this age may apply for the separate Ruth A. Hagenbuch Scholarship to help offset the cost of tuition for their child.In order to be considered for a full scholarship for the 2013-2014 preschool term, all applications must be returned to the preschool by July 31.Studies have consistently shown that the earlier a child is enrolled in a quality educational program, the better they will do in the future. Jack and Jill Preschool has been providing a Christian preschool education to children since 1978.To learn more about the preschool program, go to

www.jackandjilllehighton.org. For more information about a scholarship, contact preschool director Shelly Zellner at (610) 377-6562 or

jackandjillpreschool@yahoo.com.