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<p><strong>From staff reports&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>The Parents as Teachers’ National Center (PATNC) has named Beaufort County School District (BCSD) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, designating it as one of the top performing home-visiting affiliates.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>BCSD’s PAT program includes home visits, group connections, child screenings, and connecting families to community resources.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“This equips parents with supplemental knowledge and resources to help prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater future academic success in school,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a release.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“Our program emphasizes to parents that they are their child’s first and most important teacher,” Coordinator of Parent Education Rebecca Stempel, Ed.D, said in a release. “Our goal is to build a robust community, strong families, and to ensure all children enter school ready to learn.”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The district’s program underwent PATNC’s self-study and review process, demonstrating the accountability and credibility of BCSD’s PAT program to the community, elected officials, and partner organizations.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“This endorsement is a direct result of the dedicated teamwork, strategic planning, and passionate service by our Parent Educators and support team,” Director of School Readiness Ashley Gould Hutchison said in a release. “It’s an honor for us to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate because it confirms we are delivering the highest quality services to our children and families.”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To learn more about BCSD’s PAT program, contact the Office of Early Childhood at 843- 521-2399 or ashley.hutchison@ beaufort.k12.sc.us.&nbsp;</p>
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