ATLANTA (October 11, 2013) – Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) read to a group of students and toured the Easter Seals Child Development Center today as part of Georgia Pre-K Week.
“Universal access to early education for our children is a critically important education initiative. We invest in our future when we fund strong early learning opportunities,” said Sen. Orrock. “I applaud our Pre-K programs throughout the state for their important work, preparing Georgia’s new generations to achieve and succeed as productive citizens.”
Sponsored by Voices for Georgia’s Children and Pre-K partners throughout the state, Georgia Pre-K Week focuses on the important role of Georgia’s Pre-K program on future academic achievement.
While visiting EasterSealsChildDevelopmentCenter, Sen. Orrock read with two classes, toured the facility, spoke with teachers, parents, volunteers, and staff, and received an up-close look at the many ways the center is supporting early childhood education. “I saw an innovative foster grandparent program, great parental involvement, and dedicated teachers – all ingredients for successful outcomes for these young children,” Orrock noted.
“Georgia’s Pre-K program is an exceptional program that can serve as a model for our country,” said Pat Willis, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children. “About 84,000 four year olds in Georgia benefit from this remarkable program, a milestone in the critical phase of education that takes place from birth to age 8.
To celebrate Georgia Pre-K Week, Sen. Orrock was one of nearly 150 state officials who visited some of the approximately 3,800 Pre-K classrooms located in all 159 counties across the state.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
October 11, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Kate Greer, Broadcast Specialist
Kate.Greer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028