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Learning Treehouse celebrates Georgia Pre-K Week
Speaker Burns with pre-k kids
Speaker of the House Jon Burns and his wife Dayle visited a pre-K classroom at The Learning Treehouse in Rincon as part of Georgia Pre-K Week, Oct. 9. The Burns took turns reading books to the class of attentive tots. (Photos by Barbara Augsdorfer/Effingham Herald.)

By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Georgia Pre-K Week is celebrated each year the first week in October.

The celebration raises awareness for the importance of quality early childhood education. Georgia’s Pre-K Program began in 1992, and has grown from serving 750 children in its first year to more than 83,000 annually.

Georgia Pre-K is funded by the Georgia Lottery, as is the Hope Scholarship.

Georgia Pre-K Week is organized each year by Voices for Georgia’s Children, a policy and advocacy non-profit organization, and supported by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and other child-focused organizations.

“Quality early learning lays the foundation for lifelong success – nurturing curiosity, fostering resilience, and empowering children to reach their fullest potential,” said Judy Fitzgerald, executive director of Voices for Georgia’s Children. “We understand the crucial role that early education plays in a student’s success. Children who experience quality early learning environments are more prepared for kindergarten, and this early start helps set them on a positive path for the future.”

While at the Learning Treehouse, Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns and his wife Dayle read books to four-year-old students in a classroom. Their teacher Liz Stratford was recently named runner-up Teacher of the Year for the Georgia Pre-K program.

Dayle Burns with book at pre-K class
Speaker Burns read, “If the Dinosaurs Came Back” and Dayle read “Owl Babies” to the class. In an “out-of-the-mouths-of-babes” moment, one little girl said to Speaker Burns, “I like your white hair.”

The children were attentive to their guests and gave a chorus of “thank you” when the Burnses were finished.

“The state has allocated $500 million to support Pre-K classrooms, and 83,000 kids are served statewide,” said Susan Adams, assistant commissioner for Georgia Pre-K. “Effingham County has been a great partner with us.”

Participation in the lottery-funded Pre-K program is free, but parents/guardians have to apply for limited spots, as classrooms are capped at 20 students each. More information is available on Enroll a Child in Pre-K | Georgia.gov website.