First Lady Sandra Deal, State Rep. Stacey Abrams Celebrate Pre-K Week

by Patch Staff

To celebrate Georgia's Pre-K program and its 20th Anniversary, First Lady Sandra Deal and State Representative Stacey Abrams visited the Frazer Center on Oct. 2, 2012.

All over Georgia, the focus was on the tens of thousands of the state's youngest children in recognition of the important work they are doing to prepare for school success.

Oct. 1st through the 5th is the state’s second official year of Pre-K Week, sponsored by Voices for Georgia’s Children (www.georgiavoices.com) and its Pre-K Week partners. Deal and Abrams are two of nearly 140 officials who visited some of the approximately 3,800 Pre-K classrooms located in all 159 counties in Georgia.

“We are so honored that Mrs. Deal and Rep. Abrams have taken time away from their demanding schedules to spend some time with us,” said Trace Haythorn, executive director of the Frazer Center, said in a statement. “We need leaders like them to be vocal about the positive effects that early childhood education programs have on the future success of children and of our state.”

While at the Frazer Center, Deal and Abrams read two special books to the children, took a tour of the facility, talked with the staff, and got an up-close look at the many ways that the Center is supporting early learning for all children.

“Georgia’s Pre-K is an exceptional education program that serves 84,000 4-year-olds throughout Georgia,” said Pat Willis, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, a child advocacy organization. “Pre-K is a milestone in a child’s early education. Studies show that early education programs for children age birth to five — in all income groups — will have long-term impact on a child’s education. We are proud that Georgia’s Pre-K is making a difference in the lives of so many of our youngest learners, preparing them for future success in school and in life.”