“The Junior League of Columbia is committed to improving the lives of our community’s youngest citizens through our school readiness initiative, Smart Matters. We are thrilled that Pine Grove Elementary will be the ninth school in Richland School District One to join us in this endeavor,” said Pam Lorentz, president of The Junior League of Columbia.

Smart Matters is a family-based school readiness initiative sponsored by the Junior League of Columbia, in partnership with Richland School District One. The program’s goal is to prepare children ages 0-6 for school and to educate and involve parents in their child’s school readiness. The heart of Smart Matters is in the pre-school clubs that meet monthly at each school. At each meeting, parents and their preschool age children join teachers and League members to share a meal, a program for the parents, and children’s activities based on the South Carolina Academic Achievement Standards. Health, safety and family literacy are key components of each meeting. A toy and book lending library is located at each school, allowing children to check out educational toys and books. Children also receive literacy packets each month.

The Junior League of Columbia, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.