HHELC – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Early Learning Centers Celebrate Students Heading to Kindergarten

Michelle Lang — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:01:23 +0000

Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) and Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC) hosted a Moving on Ceremony on June 18 at the NCC Neighborhood Center, 56-68 Hayes St., Newark, to celebrate the students graduating from preschool and entering kindergarten in the fall. The children performed for their families and received diplomas. 91��Ƭ wishes them all a good summer and great success in their education journeys.

91��Ƭ Early Learning Centers Celebrate Women’s History Month with Parades

Michelle Lang — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:37:12 +0000

Both Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) and Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC) hosted parades to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. CHELC’s parade was on March 27 and HHELC’s parade was on March 28. Students, staff members and family members marched around outside of the buildings with posters representing women’s history.

91��Ƭ Early Learning Centers Host Preschool Graduation

Michelle Lang — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 14:14:24 +0000

Students at Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) and Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC) celebrated their preschool graduation with a ceremony on June 21 at the NCC Neighborhood Center, 56-68 Hayes St., Newark. The children performed for their families and received diplomas. 91��Ƭ wishes them all a good summer and a great kindergarten school year.

91��Ƭ Bids Farewell to Early Learning Center Director

Michelle Lang — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:41:05 +0000

Sister Maurice Okoroji was a dedicated 91��Ƭ employee for more than a decade, serving as the Director of Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC) for 12 years and the Director of Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) for two years. Her tenure with the organization came to an end on June 30 because she was called by her order to return to her home country of Nigeria to become the principal of a high school there.

While Sister Maurice was excited about taking on the challenges of a new role, she had grown close to her colleagues over the years and had mixed emotions about leaving 91��Ƭ.

“We’re family. So leaving them just like that is a little emotional for me,” she said.

Sister Maurice came to the United States from Nigeria in 1995. She returned to Nigeria in 2000 for two years and then permanently relocated to the U.S. She earned her degree from Caldwell College and began working as a teacher at St. Rose of Lima School in Newark in 2004. When that school closed in 2009, she made the transition to Director of HHELC at 91��Ƭ. When the Director of CHELC resigned in 2021, she transferred to that facility.

The superior general of her order reached out to her about taking a principal position at an all-girls boarding school in Imo State, Nigeria earlier this year. Sister Maurice visited the school and agreed to relocate but only after the school year had ended at CHELC so she could attend the graduation ceremony and formally say goodbye to the children and parents.

“I’m bound by moral obligation to do the right thing even though they were like come, come, let’s go. We need you,” she said.

Sister Maurice was inspired to work in the education field by her mother who was an educator and retired as a supervisor of schools. Her favorite part of her work is impacting lives.

“I enjoy being a role model to the young, to my colleagues, the teachers and the staff,” she said.

Sister Maurice encouraged her colleagues to continue their own education and professional development and she told them to look at errors as learning opportunities.

“If you don’t make mistakes, you will not grow,” she said.

91��Ƭ Director of Mission Frances Teabout, who oversees the organization’s early learning centers, recognizes the work Sister Maurice put into her roles at 91��Ƭ.

“Sister Maurice was a dedicated director who was committed to the children and families served by Community Hills Early Learning Center and Harmony House Early Learning Center. She strived to create a supportive environment where all children could thrive,” Teabout said. “Sister Maurice will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.”

Sister Maurice will also miss 91��Ƭ. She is grateful for the opportunities she has had with the organization, particularly because of its founder, the late Monsignor William J. Linder, who recommended her for her first teaching position at St. Rose of Lima.

“I’m really grateful to 91��Ƭ, especially Monsignor Linder,” she said. “He actually believed in me, that I can do wonderful things.”

91��Ƭ colleagues surprised Sister Maurice on her last day at CHELC with a goodbye celebration where they spoke about what she meant to them and how they would miss her. The organization also presented her with a plaque commemorating her years of service.

While she was excited about the challenges to come and the opportunity to be close to her mother again, Sister Maurice was also sad to leave 91��Ƭ.

“For me, this was more than a job,” she said.

Moving Up at Harmony House Early Learning Center

Michelle Lang — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 18:54:34 +0000

Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC), 278 South Orange Ave., Newark, hosted graduation on June 21 to celebrate the children entering kindergarten and those moving up to pre-K 4 in the fall. The children performed songs and received certificates at the event. We wish everyone a great summer and a wonderful upcoming school year!

Harmony House Early Learning Center Students are Ready for Kindergarten

Michelle Lang — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:51:59 +0000

Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC), 278 South Orange Ave., Newark, celebrated its pre-K students with a graduation ceremony on June 21. Parents gathered in the courtyard outside to watch the program, which included the children performing songs and a dance. They each received certificates commemorating their completion of preschool. We wish everyone good luck in kindergarten!

91��Ƭ Early Learning Centers Now Registering for 2022-2023 School Year

Michelle Lang — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:04:18 +0000

Both of 91��Ƭ’s Early Learning Centers are currently registering students for the 2022-2023 school year. Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) and Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC) both offer services for children ages 3 months to 4 years old in Newark. They are committed to providing high quality early childhood educational programs that allow children to reach their fullest potential within a rich multicultural setting, focusing on the collaboration between parents, school and the local community.

For more information, see the brochures below or call the centers directly.

Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC)
85 Irvine Turner Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07103
973-621-0852
Click here for CHELC brochure

Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC)
278 South Orange Ave.
Newark, NJ 07103
973-242-3115
Click here for HHELC brochure

Early Learning Centers Recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Michelle Lang — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 21:17:22 +0000

Students and staff members at Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC), 85 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark, and Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC), 278 South Orange Ave., Newark, participated in walks acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized each October. Everyone was encouraged to wear pink and hold signs as they participated in the annual walks. Photos courtesy of CHELC and HHELC.

NCC After School Program Back In Session and In Person

Michelle Lang — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:59:22 +0000

91��Ƭ (NCC) Youth Services Department offers multiple educational opportunities for students and their families. After a little over one year of virtual learning, students are finally able to get back to in-person learning. All programs, including Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC), Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC), NCC after school program and Family Friendly Center after school program are open for the 2021-2022 school year.

During much of the pandemic, Essex County students were all virtual and unfortunately that’s not always the best way for them to interact, develop social skills and simply be kids and have fun. The transition back into the classroom setting has been “pretty good” according to Director of Youth Services Edward Morris. Taking all things into consideration, the students are doing great.

“Some students are experiencing being in-person for the first time in 15 months,” said Morris.

This year, for the safety of all students and staff, NCC Youth Services has mapped out plans to stay safe while resuming in-person programming. The after school program requires that all practice social distancing, wear masks and everyone who enters the building must complete a COVID screening. These guidelines are based on the New Jersey Department of Licensing.

The NCC after school program began on Sept. 7 and now has a waiting list for the 2021-2022 school year. To join the waiting list, click here.

91��Ƭ Early Learning Center Students Move On to Kindergarten

Michelle Lang — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 18:18:52 +0000

Children in 91��Ƭ’s two early learning centers celebrated the end of preschool with their teachers and families. Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC), 85 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark, held a drive up graduation on June 23 where families could celebrate with the children. Harmony House Early Learning Center (HHELC), 278 South Orange Ave., Newark, held a Moving On Ceremony outside for children and their families on June 24. We wish the children all the best in kindergarten! Photos courtesy of CHELC and HHELC.