Long County High School Pre-K had 11 community/school leaders read books to the center’s 4-year-olds as part of the sixth annual Georgia Pre-K Week Oct. 3-7.
They were Bobby Adams and Smoky the Bear from the Georgia Forestry Commission, Garrett Smith from Ludowici Bank, Tammy Goober from the Long County Public Library, Susan Fuentes from Smiley Elementary Media Center, Julie Dawson from the Board of Education, Dr. Robert Waters from the Board Office, Lilah Bell from The Heritage Bank, Marie Middleton from the Probate Judge Office, Vickie Wiginton from Altamaha Credit Union, Lisa Overbey from Family Connections and Janet Watford from the Board of Education.
The statewide celebration covered all 159 counties and drew attention to early learning, including Georgia’s Pre-K, a Lottery funded program that was pioneered in Georgia 24 years ago. Throughout the week, hundreds of state, business and community leaders visited Pre-K centers to witness early learning in action and read books to the young learners.
Sponsors included Georgia Power, Synovus and the Georgia School Board Association.
"We were so excited to have them visit our center to show our children that their community cares about their education," site director Karen Swindell said. "The enthusiasm and support we receive from leaders across the state not only makes the children and staff feel good, it also reminds us all how important it is to value quality early learning so that children can be ready to succeed in school and life."
Swindell said Long County High School Pre-K was created four years ago as a lab class for the high school students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education pathway. They can interact with the pre-K students to see if they want to pursue careers in education.
"The high school students love working with them, and they are referred to as the ‘big friends’." Swindell said.
The pre-K students participate in some high school activities, such as homecoming, pep rallies, etc. They have also participated in some classes and taken field trips to the high school.
Kristie Garcia is the teacher and Nikki Gordon is her assistant.