The new Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School will host its official ribbon cutting and dedication on March 12, 2015, from 4 -6 pm, at the school located at 1225 Highway 123, in San Marcos, Texas.
The guest speaker will be Dr. Libby Doggett, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning at the U.S. Department of Education. Introducing her will be her spouse, Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
Dr. Doggett brings a lifetime of experience in early learning, Head Start, and child care for children. Before joining the Department of Education, she was the director of the Pew Charitable Trusts Home Visiting campaign where she oversaw research and advocacy. Prior to that, she directed Pre-K Now, a ten year campaign to advance high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three- and four-year-olds in the nation. She also worked with the National Head Start Association, directing the HeadsUp! reading program to improve literacy in early learning classrooms.
In her home state of Texas, Dr. Doggett ran a home visiting program for infants and toddlers with disabilities living in the Texas hill country and was executive director of the Arc of Texas, an advocacy group for children with developmental disabilities. She began her career in education as a bilingual first grade teacher at Ortega Elementary School in Austin. Doggett holds a doctorate from the University of Texas in early childhood special education. Husband Lloyd Doggett is a U.S. Representative from Texas and a senior Member on the Ways & Means Committee. The Doggetts have two daughters—Lisa and Cathy—and three granddaughters: Ella, Clara, and Zayla.
The “Bonham Bears” will perform at least one musical number during the dedication. Guests will be invited to visit classrooms and common areas in the new facility that can house 600 students. There are 27 classrooms, special education classrooms, computer labs, a music room, an activity room, and a library. Administration and staff offices are adjacent to a secured entry vestibule. The design involves three wings positioned so that teachers and staff have visibility throughout the entire school. Principal Rosemary Garza and her staff invite the community to join them for their dedication celebration.