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Advocates fundraise for pre-k in Opelika
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Thanks to the efforts of local pre-k advocates, a new center serving Opelika four-year-olds in Alabama's high-quality First Class Pre-K program will open August 15. The Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy, a project of the Envision Opelika Foundation, will house two First Class Pre-K classrooms serving a total of 36 children at the old depot building adjacent to downtown.
The founders of the center were notified earlier this summer that they were awarded two state-funded classroom grants due to the high need for First Class Pre-K in Lee County, where just ten percent of four-year-olds were served in 2018-2019, with only two classrooms in the city limits of Opelika.
Barbara Patton, former Opelika mayor and local business owner, has been leading local pre-k advocacy efforts as a member of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance Pre-K Task Force. This year, Patton joined forces with Opelika-based early childhood experts Cindy Conway and Laura Lambert and began planning for a model early childhood and family center in the heart of town.
"We know that students that attend Alabama's First Class Pre-K program outperform their peers in school at every level," Patton said. "Children that participate in high-quality pre-k programs are also more likely to graduate from high school, become successful in the workforce and contribute to the economy. It's exciting to finally realize our vision of First Class Pre-K expansion for Opelika's children and families, and we hope that our new center will encourage additional providers in Opelika to apply for grants to bring more classrooms to our community."
The Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy has launched a fundraising campaign to help with capital expenses and matching funds required for the state grant. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to the Envision Opelika Foundation to support the new center.
The center is currently accepting applications for children who turn four years old by September 1. For more information, please call (334) 319-0056 or visit http://facebook.com/opelikafirstclassprekacademy. |
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APC launches new program for T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Alabama graduates
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 The Alabama Partnership for Children has launched a new retention incentive program for T.E.A.C.H. associate and bachelor's degree graduates. Through this opportunity, T.E.A.C.H. associate degree graduates are eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend every 6 months, and bachelor's graduates are eligible for a $1,500 stipend every 6 months.
The retention incentive program is designed to increase retention and compensation linked to increased education by rewarding T.E.A.C.H. scholarship graduates for completing their education and remaining employed in their centers.
Click here to read more about the new retention incentive program.
Click here to learn more about T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® ALABAMA. |
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Reminder: Host a screening of No Small Matter in your community
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No Small Matter is the first feature documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force for good in America today: early childhood education.
No Small Matter won't be released for individual purchase for another several months- but if you're itching to bring the film to your community, there is another way!
Our friends at the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE) have agreed to cover licensing fees for up to 20 in-state screenings of the film.
This opportunity is first-come, first-serve, so email ASRA today to let us know if you are interested in hosting a screening. ASRA and DECE can help provide speakers and materials to make your screening even more impactful. |
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