ATLANTA – State Representative Earnest Smith (D-Augusta) will celebrate the 21st Anniversary of Georgia’s Pre-K program this week by visiting Georgia Health Sciences University Child Care Center as part of “Georgia Pre-K Week.” During his visit, Rep. Smith will read to a group of 4-year-old pre-kindergarten students and witness the learning that takes place each day thanks to Georgia’s Pre-K Program.
“What a wonderful opportunity this is, having the pleasure of reading and interacting with some of our best, brightest, and most treasured gifts; our children,” said Rep. Smith.
Rep. Smith will visit Georgia Health Sciences University Child Care Center on Tuesday, October 1, from approximately 9:00 – 10:00 AM. The school is located at 601 Old Bailie Street, Augusta, GA 30912. While there, Rep. Smith will participate in learning activities with the children, take a tour of the facility, talk with the staff, and get an up-close look at the many ways that the center is supporting early learning.
From September 30 through October 4, Rep. Smith will be one of nearly 150 officials to visit 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 Earnest Smith represents the citizens of District 125, which includes portions of Richmond County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, and Juvenile Justice committees.
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