Governor Tomblin Announces West Virginia Schools Selected for Toyota bornlearning Academies® Pilot Project

Press Release

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced Highlawn Elementary in Cabell County, Buffalo Elementary in Putnam County and East Lynn Elementary School in Wayne County have been selected to pilot Toyota bornlearning Academies® this fall. The pilot program will focus on supporting early childhood learning opportunities in West Virginia.

"Improving educational programs and increasing educational opportunities for our children and their families are essential to ensuring our state's continued growth and success," Gov. Tomblin said. "This collaborative approach to early childhood development will meet a critical need in our communities. The Born Learning Academy program engages parents and gives them the resources they need to turn everyday moments they share with their child into learning opportunities to prepare their children for future academic successes."

The Toyota bornlearning Academies® program offers free school-based workshops that provide parents with the tools they need to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond. The Academy teaches parents and caregivers how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities by offering them hands-on activities and strategies they can use at home to maximize their child's early learning and development and support their child's future academic successes.

"We are committed to helping develop the workforce for the future, not just for Toyota but for all business and industry," said Millie Marshall, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia. "And research has shown that setting that future worker on the path to success really begins at birth and with directed parent education. TMMWV is proud to make this investment, through Toyota bornlearning Academies®, in the future of our company and in the future of the state."

The pilot program also creates a strong connection between home and school. Because the program is delivered through school-based workshops, parents and children have the opportunity to build a level of comfort when it comes to transitioning to a classroom setting. It also allows educators and school administrators to get to know each child and their needs -- ultimately leading to a long-standing and positive parent-teacher relationship.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies® program was first launched in Kentucky in 2012. In the upcoming school year, Toyota will continue to expand the program in states where it operates manufacturing plants.

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