Georgia's Pre-K program turns 30 this year, and a variety of activities recognizing the importance of a quality early childhood education are taking place across the state to celebrate in conjunction with Georgia Pre-K Week. More than 1.8 million youth have been educated since the program began in 1992. Former UGA football star and current children's book author Malcom Mitchell even wrote a book and delivered a special video message to students as part of the celebration.
The McDuffie County School System is commemorating the event through reading visits from district administrators to each Pre-K class at Dearing Elementary and Maxwell Elementary. Superintendent Dr. Mychele Rhodes read the book, “Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster" to Pre-K students at Maxwell Elementary on October 3 and gave students their own bookmark.
Through the end of the 2021-2022 school year, a total of 5,216 McDuffie County students have participated in the Pre-K program since its inception, receiving $20,367,710 in funding.