Governor Dayton Visits Moorhead Kindergartners

Probstfield Elementary had a very special guest visit students and teachers on the first day of school.

“Here comes Pete, strolling down the street. And this says, Cat City. So this must be a very special school district. You don’t have any cats in your school here, do you?” Governor Dayton says, reading a Pete the Cat book to a Probstfield class of kindergartners.

As you can tell, it’s been a very important political meeting.

It’s only one of many during Governor Dayton’s 87 Counties in 86 Days Tour.

He says this is one his favorite parts of the job: meeting with Minnesotans, seeing where they work, talking about hopes and dreams, and listening to their concerns.

“What a wonderful place. When I leave state government in two and a half years, I’m gonna apply for a job as a hall monitor here,” Dayton says.

After meeting with kindergartners and teachers, governor Dayton spoke with us about how he’s sticking his neck out for early childhood education.

“You make a difference to have prekindergarten because you know that’s one of my priorities, and they talk about what a significant difference it does make, and I will push harder in the next legislative session for additional funding so we can expand the number of four–year–olds that have that opportunity,” Dayton says.

Superintendent Lynn Kovash says this is the first time Dayton has come to visit the school, and says it’s great to see him supporting early education.

“It’s so important to our state because when you look at the achievement of all students, that early learning provides such benefit,” Dr. Kovash says.

They also discussed mental health with young children, saying early intervention is a must.

“Getting started early in detection and treatment is really very important, and will save a lot of kids a lot of problems later on,” Dayton says.

After saying his goodbyes to young students and teachers, Dayton continued today’s trip in Mahnomen County.

Tomorrow’s 87 county journey takes the governor to Fergus Falls and Wadena.