MLAs sitting in the provincial legislature joined Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald in congratulating Revelstoke and its literacy initiative leaders on Nov. 4.
Macdonald raised the matter of recent successes in the literacy field in the community. “Revelstoke has much to be proud of but recently an exceptional accomplishment made the news across British Columbia,” he said. “Using a measurement called the Early Learning Development Instrument, Revelstoke has been recognized for doing the best job in the Province preparing children for Kindergarten.
“Revelstoke is a community with a population of 9,000 and is [situated] 200 kilometres from a major centre. It is a community whose citizens rely on each other to make things happen. This top place ranking is a true indication of the strength of this community.”
He went on specifically praise the work of Revelstoke’s Early Childhood Development Committee, the many services they provide, and the work of the committee director, Tracy Spannier. “Providing this level of support for young children takes time and resources and a strong commitment from people who are passionate about early learning. It recognizes Revelstoke’s strong belief that investing in children is the wisest investment we can make,” Macdonald said in his address to the house. “Tracy Spannier summed it up very nicely when she said, ‘You don’t get a result like this without having families that are really involved with their children and being able to access programs and services. Revelstoke is a great place to raise kids.’”
All members of the Legislature then joined Macdonald to show their appreciation to the Revelstoke Early Childhood Development Committee “and to the parents and caregivers who are working so hard to ensure that kids in Revelstoke have the best opportunity possible to succeed in school,” writes Macdonald.