This year's Pre-K Week saw officials from both the state and the Dougherty County School System read to students, reinforcing the district's focus on literacy to its youngest students.

Susan Harper, who currently chairs the board for Bright from the Start, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, read to students at the Dougherty County Pre-K Center and spoke with them on the importance of reading and learning. 

Also reading to students during the week were DCSS Superintendent Kenneth Dyer and Associate Superintendent for Academic Services Ufot Inyang. 

Georgia's Pre-K Program is a lottery funded educational program for Georgia's four year olds to prepare children for Kindergarten. It is free-of-charge to Georgia families. 

Children four years of age on September 1 of the current school year who are Georgia residents are eligible to attend Georgia's Pre-K Program during this school year. Georgia’s Pre-K Program is voluntary for families and for providers.

Because participation in Georgia's Pre-K Program is voluntary for public schools and for private child development centers, there may not be enough spaces in every community for all four year olds who wish to participate.  The Dougherty County Pre-K center currently has around 260 slots for students. Registration typically opens in early Spring for the following school year.