My Daddy

Is there anything more powerful that a father-figure? Erica, Lord Tyriq, Brandon Jr. and Seth - the Head Start preschoolers in these pictures - don't think so. Their dads came to their preschool today for Men's Day.

Sherman and Erica carefully selected colors with which to draw. Lord Tyriq and Loren pored over a puzzle with a little help from Melissa Morgan, the Teacher Assistant. Brandon was intent on teaching Brandon Jr. how to use his scissors and cut precisely – and safely – along the lines; and Seth and Greg were thrilled to assemble a model race car. The dads pictured here are special people. They took time out for their kids and worked right along-side them to create something – in kid-sized chairs no less!

"Seth wants me to come to school everyday now," said Greg, “I wish I could.” The boys took great care not to get the blue paint everywhere. Fortunately, it was washable paint!

The teachers at the Essic Robinson Head Start center in Alton, Illinois try hard to recognize dads and other father figures who are actively involved in a child's life. They try even harder to make sure that men know what a crucial impact they can have on their child's development into a wonderful person.

Like many others, these dads see a better future through their children. They want what every parent wants, children who can make a positive difference in the world. They also know that education is the way to make that happen. That's why they came to Men's Day and showed their children that they value education. And that's why Erica, Lord Tyriq, Brandon Jr. and Seth were the luckiest kids in the world today.

Head Start is the nation's longest-running school readiness program for qualifying families and is enrolling for fall right now. It emphasizes parent involvement as much as early childhood education and health care in order to prepare little kids to succeed in kindergarten.

Call 618/463-5947 to see if your family qualifies for FREE preschool at Head Start.

Riverbend Head Start & Family Services is one of 2,500 Head Start programs in the country strengthening families and reducing the effects of factors that put children at-risk of starting Kindergarten behind their peers.

http://www.riverbendfamilies.org/headstart.shtm

Now Enrolling for FREE Preschool!

Is it really that time of year again? Already?

Here at Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, we are entering Back-to-School mode. As employees hustle and bustle trying to find school supplies to fill their children's backpacks, the agency hustles and bustles preparing for the new program year.

As fall approaches, Head Start is gearing up for the school year. Staff are looking forward to working with families to help teach children reading, math, physical, motor, relationship, and language skills.

Head Start is a program that provides education, health and social services to 800 low-income children ages three to five and their families. The program is designed to provide qualifying children with the resources that they need in order to have a "head start" in life. One of these resources is free preschool. Centers are now enrolling. For more information or to see if you qualify, call (618) 463-5947