ATLANTA – State Representative Barry Fleming (R-Harlem) celebrated the 21st Anniversary of Georgia’s Pre-K program last week by visiting North Harlem Elementary as part of “Georgia Pre-K Week.” During his visit, Rep. Fleming read to a group of 4-year-old pre-kindergarten students and saw firsthand the learning that happens each day thanks to Georgia’s Pre-K Program.
“It was a great opportunity to be able to visit North Harlem Elementary last week for Georgia Pre-K week,” said Rep. Fleming. “I look forward to participating in this program for years to come.”
Rep. Fleming visited North Harlem Elementary from approximately 9:00 – 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 2. The school is located at 525 Fairview Drive, Harlem, GA, 30814. While there, Rep. Fleming participated in learning activities with the children, toured the facility, talked with the staff, and got an up-close look at the many ways that the center supports early learning.
From September 30 through October 4, Rep. Fleming was one of nearly 150 officials that visited some of the 3,800 Pre-K classrooms located in all 159 counties in Georgia for “Georgia Pre-K Week.” This week allows the state to bring attention to the tens of thousands of Georgia’s youngest children in recognition of the important work they do to prepare for school success. “Georgia Pre-K Week” also gives state leaders a unique opportunity to visit one of their local Pre-K classes to see the many ways Pre-K gets young children ready for school and on a path to reading proficiency by the third grade.
“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, a child advocacy organization. “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.”
“Georgia Pre-K Week” is sponsored by Voices for Georgia’s Children and several of its partner organizations, including Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Georgia Association for Young Children, Georgia Child Care Association, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, The Junior League of Atlanta, and Quality Care for Children. Voices for Georgia’s Children is a nonprofit child policy and advocacy organization that envisions a Georgia where children are safe, healthy, educated, employable, and connected to their family and community.
Representative Barry Fleming represents the citizens of District 121, which includes portions of Columbia and McDuffie counties. He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently serves as the Secretary of the Interstate Cooperation Committee. He also serves on the Governmental Affairs, Industry and Labor, and Judiciary committees.
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