Francis Howell receives early childhood education award

The Francis Howell School District is the recipient of this year’s Early Childhood Education Program of the Year award from Future Builders, the educational foundation of the Missouri School Boards’ Association. The award was presented at the 2011 MSBA annual Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks on Oct. 1.

The MSBA Future Builders Early Childhood Education Program of the Year is designed to reward public school districts that have implemented programs to advance quality early educational opportunities for children.

To be eligible for the award, the school district must be a member of Missouri School Boards’ Association and must offer a high quality pre-kindergarten program. Award recipients were selected by the MSBA Future Builders Board based on their innovative approaches and outstanding ability to engage and support the development of the children in their care and on their overall commitment to early childhood education The Belton and Lee’s Summit school districts were other finalists for the award this year. The Park Hill, Blue Springs, Ferguson-Florissant and Jefferson City school districts received honorable mention.

The Missouri School Boards’ Association is a private, not-for-profit organization that exists to help school boards succeed.