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From the Director
Since the launch of Georgia’s Pre-K Program in 1992, a growing body of research underscores the importance of investing in early learning. Evaluations of Georgia Pre-K have demonstrated growth in children’s language and literacy, math, and social and emotional development.
State, business, and community leaders celebrated Georgia Pre-K Week this month by visiting pre-K centers to observe early learning in action and to read Hey Georgia, a new children’s book by Super Bowl champion, UGA alumnus, and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell.
Share stories and photos showcasing the impact that quality early learning programs are having on children in your community.
With gratitude,
Arianne
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#GetGAReading this Month
Please share these posts on your own social media platforms this month.
 Each year, #LightsOnAfterschool puts a spotlight on the essential role of after-school programs in our communities. Now, with 84% of programs facing uncertainty about their future, we need the brightest light yet to ensure we don't lose these critical programs. More time spent in after-school activities is associated with better work habits, improved academic performance, gains in self-efficacy, improved GPA, and fewer school absences. #GALightsOn https://bit.ly/3MQVVez
 After-school programs improve academic performance and outcomes by increasing attendance, reducing grade retention, and improving classroom behavior. #LightsOnAfterschool #GALightsOn https://bit.ly/3MQVVez
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 Freedom Schools Support Students in Peoplestown
Now in its seventh year, the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School at Emmaus House provides a haven of support, love, and learning. The six-week literacy and cultural enrichment program is designed to serve children in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is limited, expensive, or nonexistent. Read More
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 GEEARS Hosts 2022 Candidate Summit on Supporting Children and Families
Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students hosted the 2022 Candidate Summit on Supporting Children and Families. Attendees heard from candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and state school superintendent about health, child care, pre-K, mental health, family supports, and more. Read More
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 PLAY Student Library Card Increases Access to Books and More
PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) cards are part of a statewide initiative of Georgia Public Library Service to give more youth access to tools they need to build literacy skills. The Library Service distributed more than 190,000 PLAY cards in 18 school districts in 2021. Local public libraries and school systems are forging partnerships to provide students with PLAY cards to access physical and digital materials. Read More
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Learning Loss Grant Opportunity
United Way of Greater Atlanta and Georgia Division of Family and Children Services are requesting proposals from organizations serving school-age children that are working to strengthen academic support for children whose learning was impacted by pandemic-precipitated learning loss. With grants up to $50,000, funding can support programming in literacy, math fluency, school transition, family engagement, learning acceleration, or access to quality out-of-school time learning. Applications are due Oct. 28, 2022.
Back-to-School Success Requires Strong Community-School Partnerships
With high inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues impeding the plans of school districts as they seek to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, community-based backbone, intermediary, and advocacy organizations have the resources, networks, and capacity that districts are struggling to source on their own. Children’s Funding Project has collected examples of how communities are using ARPA funds—including those that have integrated community partnerships into their spending processes.
Keys to Unlocking Success: How Schools Exceeded Expectations During the Pandemic
A report by Curriculum Associates reveals that six promising leadership practices recommended by district and school leaders from more than 300 schools exceeded expectations during the 2020-2021 school year. Given the research showing that economically disadvantaged, black and Latino, and below-grade level students experienced the most pandemic-related unfinished learning, this report explores promising practices for supporting students most heavily impacted by the pandemic.
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Farm to School Month
October 2022
Georgia Organics is “Spinach to Win It!” helping schools, early care centers, and communities statewide celebrate all things spinach. The goal is to get kids eating, growing, and participating in spinach-themed activities leading up to and through October. Learn More
Lights On Afterschool Day
Thursday, Oct. 20
Join Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) and Afterschool Alliance in celebrating after-school programs and the important role they play in the lives of children, families, and communities, offering students opportunities to explore interests and build new skills. GSAN has created a toolkit to use for your celebration, along with the hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool and #GALightsOn on social media. Learn More
GLR Learning Tuesdays Webinars
Oct. 25; 3 p.m.; Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 3 p.m.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) hosts weekly sessions that lift the best science, ideas, and programs to inform local efforts. The Oct. 25 session is “A Pivotal Year: Kindergarten’s Important Role in Students’ Education,” and the Nov. 1 session is “What’s Next? Identifying and Advancing Initiatives to Accelerate Learning Recovery.” Register Now
Funder-to-Funder Conversation: “Community Investments in Parent-Child Relationships Drive School Readiness
Nov. 15, 12:30 p.m.
This monthly CGLR webinar series engages and informs the local, state, and national funders who support early learning, grade-level reading, and early school success, providing opportunities for shared learning, collaboration, and co-investment between and among local funders and with their national counterparts. Register Now
National Family Literacy Month
November 2022
Celebrate by planning activities and events that focus on families learning together. The National Center for Families guide to “30 Days of Families Learning Together” includes daily tips and family literacy activities designed to inspire family memories rooted in imagining, playing, and learning together. Get the Guide
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We Want to Hear from You
Our partners are the heroes in this work. We want to help connect you to each other and to resources that can help you get even greater results. Please share your stories with us so we can post them to getgeorgiareading.org. Send your stories—or any questions about the Campaign—to Arianne Weldon at arianne@gafcp.org.
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