CAPITAL ONE HOSTS LAUNCH OF FAIRFAX FUTURES' SCHOOL READINESS NETWORK

On February 1, 2006, Fairfax Futures launched its School Readiness Network, an innovative public-private partnership of business, education and other community leaders that brings attention and targets financial resources to champion quality early childhood education and school readiness in Fairfax County.

Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan, keynote speaker and presenter

Over 120 people attended the rollout event hosted by Capital One in McLean, Virginia and made possible through the generous support of the Freddie Mac Foundation. The morning program featured two keynote speakers who shared their insights and expertise with assembled guests.

Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan, professor at Teachers’ College, Columbia University and adjunct professor at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, emphasized that community engagement is required to effectively develop and educate our youngest children. She commended the School Readiness Network for bringing together the childcare community, business and political leaders, schools and community organizations to address young children’s school readiness in Fairfax County.

Kagan called for investment in meaningful training and development for child care professionals, emphasizing that the quality of any institution is predicated on the quality of the adults working there.

Guests also heard from Michael Harreld, regional president, PNC Bank. Harreld noted that the availability of qualified talent in the workforce remains a significant problem in Fairfax County and across the United States; as a result, the mid-level of American business suffers from a lack of intellectual capital. Harreld emphasized the importance of businesses helping to raise the visibility of this problem by supporting the school readiness of the nation’s youngest children. Highlighting PNC’s Grow Up Great program, Harreld described this $100 million, ten-year initiative as an example of how companies can invest in quality early childhood education to help make a difference in building the capacity of tomorrow’s workforce.

Fairfax County government and community leaders who offered additional remarks included Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Gerry E. Connolly, Hunter Mill District Supervisor, Catherine M. Hudgins, Fairfax County Public School Superintendent, Dr. Jack Dale, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce President, William Lecos, Freddie Mac Foundation Senior Manager of Community Relations, Dean Klein, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems Vice President of Communications and Fairfax Futures’ Board Chair, Charlene Wheeless.

Corporate members of the School Readiness Network as of February 6 include:

• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Capital One
• Cox Communications
• Northern Virginia
• Dominion Virginia Power
• Freddie Mac Foundation
• PNC Financial Services
• Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Gerry E. Connolly, Fairfax County Public School Superintendent, Dr. Jack Dale, and Freddie Mac Foundation Senior Manager of Community Relations, Dean Klein, join audience members in thanking the newest corporate members of Fairfax Futures' School Readiness Network.

From left to right: Philip Sparks, Dominion Virginia Power; Gary McCollum, Cox Communications, Northern Virginia; Charlene Wheeless, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems; Amy Muhlendorf, Booz Allen Hamilton; Michael Harreld, PNC Bank; Emily Talley, Capital One; Dean Klein, Freddie Mac Foundation; Dr. Jack Dale, Fairfax County Public Schools and, Gerry E. Connolly, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry E. Connolly posing a question to Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan.

Companies interested in joining Fairfax Futures’ School Readiness Network are encouraged to join. Businesses also may call 703.324.8126 for additional corporate membership information. PNC Bank Regional President, Michael Harreld, shares a laugh with Fairfax County Public School Superintendent, Dr. Jack Dale. >>

Community organizations, schools, child care centers and providers and other nonprofit groups/associations interested in joining the School Readiness Network are invited to join.

top of page