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Focusing on Literacy During Georgia Pre-K Week

“While early childhood literacy is highlighted during this week each year, we must continue to focus on language development and early literacy skills for all of Georgia’s children. The success measure of transitioning from 'learning to read' to 'reading to learn' is crucial to the success of every child.”

- Joseph Lillyblad, Georgia Power Education and Workforce Development Manager

For the sixth consecutive year, Georgia Power has joined with the nonprofit organization Voices for Georgia's Children, as well as other notable Georgia businesses, to support the ninth annual Georgia Pre-K Week across the state, Oct. 7-11.

During the weeklong celebration, Pre-K centers open their doors to elected officials, business and community leaders and invite them to experience firsthand the high-quality education taking place in classrooms every day. In 2018, Georgia Power employees read to more than 92 Pre-K classes and reached approximately 2,000 students as a part of Pre-K week. Georgia Power leaders also have the opportunity to tour the centers and read to students.

Chairman, President, and CEO of Georgia Power Paul Bowers and his wife, Karen, read to students as part of Pre-K week.

"Reading is fundamental to future academic success, and reading programs, such as the Georgia Pre-K Week, provide a great opportunity to increase awareness for the importance of quality early education," said Paul Bowers, Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power. "We believe education is foundational to building a bright future for our state and that's why we are committed to strengthening academic performance in Georgia, specifically in the area of STEM education."

literacy

"The support of public and private organizations sends a powerful statement to the community about the value of quality early learning," said Dr. Erica Fener Sitkoff, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia's Children. "Over the past six years, Georgia Power has played a vital role in providing our students with a solid start by raising awareness for the early education of Georgia's children."

Georgia Power's Education and Workforce Development team during Georgia Pre-K week.

Georgia Power is in classrooms across the state all year long with the Learning Power Program. In fact, Georgia Power's Learning Power program has reached more than 715,000 students since its inception in 2011. Through the program, education coordinators visit Georgia schools to present hands-on, STEM-related energy and energy efficiency lessons that reinforce Georgia Standards of Excellence and make students, educators and parents aware of energy and efficiency opportunities and careers.