The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly General Membership Luncheon on January 18, 2017. This month’s speakers will be Andrea Berstler, Executive Director of Wicomico Public Libraries, Steven Hicks, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood at the Maryland State Department of Education, and Meredith C. Callanan, President, T. Rowe Price Foundation and Board Chair of “Ready at Five.”
Hicks was formerly the Executive Director of “Ready at Five”– a statewide organization that seeks to improve the practice and quality of early childhood education in Maryland. Their mission is to “develop and implement solutions based on analysis and dissemination of Maryland’s early childhood data and national research, advance the knowledge and skills of the early childhood workforce through high-quality professional development, curriculum and resources, support young children and their families through information, publications and tools, and engage educational and health leaders, policy makers, and the philanthropic and business communities through advocacy and education.”
Hicks plans to discuss statewide Kindergarten Readiness Assessment data overview. Callahan will speak about “Ready at Five” resources to support communities. Berstler will discuss the necessity for early childhood development at the local level and how this could impact the local business and economic sectors.
The luncheon will be held at Black Diamond Lodge, at 219 S Fruitland Blvd, Fruitland, MD and begin at 12 p.m. The cost for admission is $25 for SACC members and $35 for future members. Register online at salisburyarea.com or call 410.749.0144.
