Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Head Start Capital Area Community Action Agency held its graduation ceremony on Friday morning outside its educational facility on Mamie Scott Drive in Monticello.
Students attending the graduation with their family and friends included: Taraji Whitfield, Jaylen Pittman, Kaiden Baker, Tryan Jones, A'Lahrie Jones, Jeremie Bryant, Linda Jennings, Kalia Henderson, Amriah Ghee and Ariana Burgess.
Their teachers were Fazie Bennett and Mary Moore.
Graduating students who were not able to attend the drive-through graduation were: A'Niyiah Wiggins, Raylin Crumitie and John Glenn. The Head Start staff said that these students' diplomas, tassels, books and extra goodies would be hand-delivered to them.
As the vehicles carrying the graduates passed by the diploma delivery table, teacher Mary Moore posed for a picture with the student before handing them their well-earned diploma and other school-related goodies.
Also attending this special occasion was Head Start Early Childhood Development Manager Venita Treadwell. “During these uncertain times we are still able to deliver at-home learning packets and offer professional development for staff. The Head Start staff care about our children and families in an enormous way. They are awesome!” said Treadwell. “I am so proud of our teachers, family advocates, education team, directors and cooks. They came to school every day. They love the children, teach the children and demonstrate what a professional in early childhood education strives to be."
The concept of Head Start originated in the early 1960s when many Americans, concerned about the well-being of low-income preschool children, organized to seek legislation and funding to support the developmental needs of the children who participated in the program.
These measures were necessary to ensure that all associated costs could be paid, that there would be consistency and uniformity in operations and that all essential services would be provided. It was felt that many children from lower-income families enter school with a lack of self-confidence and other negative feelings toward the school system. These attitudes, possibly, caused these children to fall behind and/or lose the desire to progress. Further, it was felt that situations such as these would only be compounded later in life.
The first Head Start centers opened their doors as a summer program in July 1965.
The Jefferson County program currently serves 39 children. To qualify, the child must be three or four years of age by September 1, the family must meet the Federal income guidelines and they must reside in one of the three counties served.
Its goal is to ensure that all children that participate in Head Start enter school ready to learn.
The current director and chief executive officer is Tim Center.
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