Friday, December 8, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
First Family Celebrates Parents as Teachers, Global Reading Initiative
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and their son, William “Branch” today helped celebrate the Parents as Teachers grand opening and participated in the Scholastic Read for 2007 program.
“Parents as Teachers has been a valuable resource for our family and thousands of families across the state. I am honored to help them celebrate their local grand opening,” Gov. Blunt said. “They highlight the importance of learning from infancy and provide guidance for parents as they introduce their children to the world around them.”
Blunt has worked to secure funding increases for Parents as Teachers the last two years. Since he took office annual state funding for Parents as Teachers has increased by $2 million.
After a ribbon cutting ceremony, the Blunt family read to visiting children as part of the Scholastic Read for 2007. Mrs. Blunt serves as Missouri’s Ambassador for Reading for the program, a worldwide initiative to celebrate the importance and enjoyment of reading.
“Reading is among the most important skills a child can develop. It opens doors and provides learning opportunities that last a lifetime,” Mrs. Blunt said. “I am pleased we can share this valuable program with Parents as Teachers new preschool.”
The first family passed out books provided by Scholastic to children attending the event. For more information about Scholastic Read for 2007 visit: www.scholastic.com/readfor2007.
###