ATLANTA – State Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) visited Little House Academy to show support for early childhood education during Georgia Pre-K Week on Thursday, September 29, 2016. During the visit, Rep. Hawkins read a favorite children’s book to a group of students to highlight the importance of reading at a young age.
“Visiting Georgia’s schools and engaging with young students during Pre-K Week is a highly rewarding experience,” said Rep. Hawkins. “The children truly enjoy the visits, and they especially love having stories read to them. They are our future.”
Rep. Hawkins has read to classrooms in celebration and recognition of Pre-K Week for several years. Pre-K Week, October 3-7, is organized each year by Voices for Georgia’s Children, a policy and advocacy non-profit organization.
“Such broad support from so many of our state’s most influential citizens, such as Rep. Hawkins, shows us that Georgians really understand the long term value of quality early learning,” said Emily Pelton, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children. “Getting the right start helps a child succeed in nearly every phase of life, from learning to read successfully by third grade to graduating high school and ultimately entering the workforce.”
Pre-K Week is celebrated with the full support of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), and corporate participation and sponsorship from Georgia Power and Synovus. Other partners include Black Child Development Institute-Atlanta, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, Georgia Child Care Association, Georgia Family Connection Partnership, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Georgia Public Library Service, Georgia School Boards Association, Georgia Vision Project, multiple Junior Leagues throughout Georgia, Metro Atlanta YMCA, Quality Care for Children and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
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.
For more information on Voices for Georgia’s Children, please click here.
*Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. Hawkins celebrating Georgia Pre-K Week has been attached to this release for your convenience.
Representative Lee Hawkins represents the citizens of District 27, which includes portions of Hall and White counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Health & Human Services Committee. He also serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and the Insurance and Regulated Industries committees.
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