<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, pediatricians at the Cincinnati Children\u2019s Hospital Medical Center found that reading to a toddler activates brain networks that support budding literacy.<\/p>\n
This week, Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia also found that reading to preschoolers conjures beaming smiles. From Dolores to Towaoc, Garcia took time to directly interact with some 200 preschoolers by reading, \u201cHow Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes he whimper and whine between each At-choo?\u201d Garcia read, covering his mouth and nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d the students responded in unison with chuckles and grins.<\/p>\n
As Garcia wrapped up the children\u2019s story, students were subsequently given their own copy of the book. Each promised to share their new literacy treasure with siblings and ask their parents to read it to them again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere in Colorado, too many kids, about a quarter of all kids, aren\u2019t reading proficiently at the third grade level,\u201d Garcia explained. \u201cWe know those kids are less likely to graduate, less likely to move onto higher education, and that impacts our state economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a statewide tour to highlight the importance of early childhood literacy, Garcia visited Southwest Colorado on Monday, Sept. 28. He read to preschoolers in Dolores, Cortez and Towaoc as the state commemorated Literacy Week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of need here, and often this part of the state gets overlooked,\u201d said Garcia on visiting Southwest Colorado. \u201cWe want people here to know that what they\u2019re doing is important.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the end of the journey across the Centennial State, officials estimate that Garcia will have delivered books to some 75,000 toddlers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to raise awareness on the importance of families and schools to early childhood literacy,\u201d said Garcia. \u201cWe want to improve opportunities for kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Towaoc<\/p>\n
While visiting preschoolers in Towaoc, officials informed Garcia that the reservation lacked adequate fiber optic lines for hi-speed Internet access to ensure its 56 preschoolers were connected to the outside world.<\/p>\n
Citing a sophisticated connected library, for example, could serve as a magnet for the community\u2019s continued education, Ute Mountain Ute higher education director Scott Baker said the fiber optic lines out of Cortez stop at the reservation border.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil we can build that infrastructure, then we\u2019re going to be hampered,\u201d said Baker. \u201cWe\u2019re still going to be a three-legged dog.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to high speed Internet, Ute Mountain Ute education director Tanya Amrine said the tribe needed additional resources to upgrade its library offerings. The library once checked out about 50 books daily, but the service has been discontinued due to a lack of web-based connectivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have a viable library,\u201d said Amrine. \u201cWe call it books on shelves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amrine explained the facility had the computers and software programs needed to establish a modern checkout system, but additional upgrades were needed before it could be operational.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need money,\u201d said Amrine. \u201cWe don\u2019t even have a full-time librarian.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dolores<\/p>\n
Dolores Superintendent Scott Cooper was both surprised and excited to learn of Garcia\u2019s visit to the Teddy Bear Preschool in Dolores. The educational center, which has 64 current students, is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a distinction held by only three percent of preschools across the country.<\/p>\n
Speaking directly to Garcia during a tour of the facility on Monday, Cooper asked for additional state funding. He specifically outlined financial woes the district has faced due to the negative factor, a legislative work-around that\u2019s slashed funding for public education by about $1 billion in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur funding was cut by 12 percent this year alone because of the negative factor,\u201d Cooper said.<\/p>\n
Cortez<\/p>\n
Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter welcomed Garcia to the Beech Street Preschool, stating he was thrilled that a high-level official recognized the importance of early childhood education. Some 90 students attend the district\u2019s preschool.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the community see role models like Lt. Gov. Garcia share stories with our students reinforces the importance of reading to your children,\u201d said Carter.<\/p>\n
Despite receiving added state-funds this year to increase preschool enrollment, Carter said he wanted to convey to Garcia that the district still faced challenges to ensuring that all eligible students received early educational opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of students in our community, and their needs for preschool education remain unmet,\u201d said Carter. \u201cWe know if a kid gets a great preschool education, then our jobs are a lot easier once they get to kindergarten.\u201d<\/p>\n