A forum on preparing every child born in Hamilton County for early grade success will be held on June 20, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at UTC University Center, Chattanooga Room.

This event is free and open to the public.

Reservations should be made by visiting http://tinyurl.com/rsvpschoolreadinessforum. The first 150 registered attendants will receive a complimentary copy of keynote speaker Paul Tough’s book, Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America, thanks to a donation by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.

Here is the agenda:
Welcome and Introduction, 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Address by Paul Tough, Author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America

State of School Readiness in Hamilton County

Panel Discussion and Q&A: Impact on Community - Call to Action, with
Peter Cooper (Moderator), president, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Dr. Carol Berz, Chattanooga City Council Member and Finance Committee Chair
Travis McDonough, partner, Miller & Martin and member, Hamilton County Department of Education Advisory Panel
Linda Mosley, Hamilton County School Board
Dr. Jim Scales, Hamilton County Superintendent of Schools

Break and Book Signing, 12 p.m.

Lunch and Speaker, 12:30 p.m.
Edna Varner, senior program consultant, Public Education Foundation and director of Leadership Development, Cornerstone National Literacy Initiative

Panel Discussion and Q&A: Keys and Barriers to Success
Cory Curl (Moderator), Governor’s Office of State Planning and Policy
Phil Acord, executive director, The Children's Home-Chambliss
Emily Baker, principal, East Side Elementary, Hamilton County Department of Education
Dr. Brenda Benford, director, Pre-Kindergarten, Hamilton County Department of Education
Judi Byrd, director, Hamilton County Department of Social Services
Linda McReynolds, senior vice president of Organizational Development, United Way of Greater Chattanooga

Closing Remarks
State Senator Andy Berke, member, Education Committee

Adjourn, 3:30 p.m.

The School Readiness Advisory Board includes:
Phil Acord, The Children's Home-Chambliss
Harold H. Baker, Orange Grove Center
Dr. Brenda Benford, HCDE
Judi Byrd, Hamilton County Social Services
Dr. David Cook, Siskin Children’s Institute
Linda Daniel, Tennessee Department of Human Services
Kathy Daniels, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
Anne Gamble, Director, Project Ready for School
Bobbie Grantham, Child Care Resource and Referral
Jackie Hill, Chattanooga State College
Dr. Kirk Kelly, HCDE
Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, READ 20
Donna McConnico, Signal Centers, Inc.
Beverly McKeldin, Chattanooga Department of Human Services
Linda McReynolds, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Judy Sisk, Child Care Resource Referral
Sarah Thompson, Head Start
Debra Vaughan, Public Education Foundation