Hoyer Joins President Obama on Visit to Moravia Park Elementary School

BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) joined President Barack Obama on his visit to Moravia Park Elementary School as part of the President's Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour. Moravia Park Elementary School provides comprehensive early childhood education services through its "Judy Center" – named in tribute to Congressman Hoyer's late wife and longtime early childhood educator Judith Hoyer.

 "I thank President Obama for visiting Moravia Park Elementary School and I'm pleased that he could see firsthand why Maryland public schools have been named the best in the country for five years in a row," stated Congressman Hoyer. "Moravia Park is home to one of 27 Judy Centers in Maryland, which integrate early childhood education and the delivery of health and social services to ensure more students are school-ready and more parents are prepared to support learning. Today, Judy Centers are making a real difference for students and their families in Maryland, and serve as a national model. I believe building on the success of these Centers around the country is a critical step toward improving educational outcomes for students and expanding middle class opportunity."   

Judy Centers engage children ages birth to five and their families through access to comprehensive services, including preventive health screenings, counseling, and dental check-ups, that complement the early childhood education they receive. Together, these integrated services help students become fully ready for kindergarten and help ensure their parents are prepared to support their children's education and development. According to the Maryland State Department of Education's Annual Report in 2012, 86 percent of children with Judy Center experience were considered fully ready for school. Congressman Hoyer has advocated for legislation that would expand the Judy Center model throughout the country because of its effectiveness.