As nearly 1.2 million Virginia students head back to school to begin a new school year, First Lady Pamela Northam will celebrate by visiting early childhood education programs and elementary schools and discussing the importance of school readiness. The First Lady will be delivering books and school supplies as she visits schools and learning centers in each of the Commonwealth’s eight Superintendent’s Regions.
“Many of us can still remember the excitement of getting that shiny new folder and new shoes for the first day of school, but school readiness actually starts in those important years before kindergarten, when around 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs,” said First Lady Pamela Northam. “All Virginia children are capable of, and deserve to be, entering kindergarten with the tools they need to succeed. We are dedicated to unifying Virginia early education programs and providing access to quality care and education for children and families no matter who they are or where in the Commonwealth they live.”
The First Lady will be joined by Chief School Readiness Officer Jenna Conway, highlighting school readiness as an economic development issue across the Commonwealth. The First Lady and Jenna Conway will also speak with local stakeholders about the challenges and successes local communities are facing in improving school readiness.
“Today’s children are tomorrow’s workforce. Children who participate in high quality early care and education—whether in school, child care or Head Start—are more likely to succeed academically and socially in school, in the workforce and in life,” said Chief School Readiness Officer Jenna Conway. “Affordable child care also benefits the current workforce by enabling parents to work or complete school which is especially important when Virginia’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low.”
Roughly $500 million is invested in early childhood care and education in Virginia with additional resources available this year. More than $55 million in additional federal and state funding will help strengthen child care, Head Start, and the Virginia Preschool Initiative this year.
“Investing in high quality early education is one of the best ways to reduce the achievement gap among students in Virginia,” said Secretary of Education Atif Qarni.
“Teachers and leaders across the Commonwealth are excited to welcome children and families back to school,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane. “Each year offers another opportunity to support all Virginia students, including our youngest learners, to build the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to be successful in school and beyond.”
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
8:45 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Apple Pie Ridge Elementary School 349 Apple Pie Ridge Road Winchester, Virginia 22603 |
10:00 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Apple Country Head Start–Winchester City Center
100 West Cedermeade Avenue Winchester, Virginia 22601 |
10:45 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Garland R. Quarles Elementary School
1310 South Loudoun Street Winchester, Virginia 22601 |
1:15 PM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Virginia Preschool Initiative classroom Central High School
1147 Susan Avenue Woodstock, Virginia 22664 |
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
9:00 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Early Head Start Family Child Care Center 2907 Douglas Street Alexandria, Virginia 22306 |
9:50 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Creative Learning School
8331 Washington Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22309 |
10:40 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Riverside Elementary School
8410 Old Mount Vernon Road Alexandria, Virginia 22309 |
11:50 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Featherstone Elementary School
14805 Blackburn Road Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 |
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
9:00 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Virginia State Police Academy and thank cadets for donating school supplies
57 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235 |
11:00 AM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit Westview Early Childhood Education Center
1100 Patterson Street Petersburg, Virginia 23803 |
1:00 PM | First Lady Pamela Northam to visit William A. Walton Elementary School
4101 Courthouse Road Prince George, Virginia 23875 |
The First Lady’s Back to School Tour will stop in the remaining four Superintendent regions from September 10 through September 13. Additional information will be provided about these upcoming events.