The Early Childhood "Readiness" Program is demonstrating very positive results. Evaluations have shown that children who attended the program entered and exited both kindergarten and first grade at a higher level of success than did other children. And, as second graders, children who had attended the programs performed significantly higher than did other children on the reading diagnostic test.

The oldest graduates from the Early Childhood Program will be beginning their Senior year in High School this fall.

Friends of Early Childhood Education

In 2005 William Dann was named the first, of what we hope to be many, “Friends of Early Childhood Education.”  Mr. Dann has contributed more than $500,000to the Early Childhood Rediness program, which hasseen over 1,200 students benefit from the program. Theearlychildhood programs, which include Parents As Teachers, early childhood special services, and the Early Childhood Educational Readiness preschool, would not exist without the ongoing support and generosity of individuals like William Dann.

Bob and Marna Moore have given extraordinary support to the early childhood program.  The Moores are long-time residents of Lawrence and raised their three children here. The Moores believe that a strong quality preschool experience is a necessary foundation for a child’s long-term success in school, and in life.  Bob and Marna Moore are our 2006 Friends of Early Childhood Education.

The New Generation Society of Lawrence was recognized as the 2007 Friends of Early Childhood Education for their "extraordinary support" to the Lawrence Public School Early Childhood "Readiness" program. The New Generation Society  provides educational, volunteer and philanthropic opportunities for its members and is in partnership with the Hall Center for the Humanities.  Since 1999, the NGSL has contributed over $40,000 in support for the "Readiness" program.

Also providing extraordinary support to early childhood education over the years are Hank Booth and John Tacha, the 2008 Friends of Early Childhood. In 1998, Hank and John led a group of volunteers in studying school readiness in the community - they helped raise money for the first early childhood educational readiness classroom at East Heights Elementary School in 1996. Since then, more than thirteen hundred preschoolers have graduated from this program.

Early Childhood Classroom Dedications

2007 Classroom Dedication
In 2007 the Lawrence Schools Foundation unveiled a “Wall of Honor” at the East Heights Early Childhood Family Center to recognize advocates for Lawrence children through the continued support of William Dann, who has supported the Early Childhood “Readiness” program since 1998. The Children's Hour Inc., was the first honoree to be added to the "Wall of Honor." Through the efforts of more than 100 volunteers and community support from the United Fund, the Children’s Hour Inc. made preschool a reality for almost 100 at-risk children in Lawrence. The Wall of Honor will continue to recognize those advocates of Lawrence children Mr. Dann chooses to honor each year.

2006 Classroom Dedication
In 2006 we dedicated an early childhood classroom in memory of Prentice Gautt.  Because of William Dann’s desire to honor the legacies of some of Lawrence’s finest citizens he has chosen outstanding educators, like Jesse Milan, Gertrude Ruttan, and Ray Wilbur…  Heroic young people like Brandy Martin and LaTonya Farmer… Outstanding community activists like Judge Jean Shepard, Anna “Petey” Ballard Cerf, and Nancy Shontz…and citizens of great character like Elgin Woody Senior, and our 2006 Early Childhood classroom dedication to Prentice Gautt.