Pre-school children and staff at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start helped kick off a yearlong observance of the federal program’s 50th birthday in September.
SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start children and staff donned the program’s colors of red, white and blue to celebrate the 50th birthday of Head Start, according to G. Lynnie Bailey, program director.
Head Start began as a result of an eight-week summer program started by President Lyndon B. Johnson. On May 18, 1965, Johnson gave remarks at a Rose Garden ceremony announcing the expansion of “Project Head Start” to a national, year-round program.
“The response we received on Red, White and Blue Day drew from the same ground-up initiative and compassion that got Head Start started all those years ago and that has sustained it ever since,” Bailey said. “SIUE Head Start has been an integral part of the county for more than 30 years.”
Currently, the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start serves 1,556 children and families in St. Clair County at seven Centers and two options. SIUE’s Head Start is nationally recognized and provides quality early childhood education that promotes school readiness for children and self-sufficiency for families.
Services are available to St. Clair County expectant parents and families of children ages six weeks to five years old. The Head Start approach to School Readiness means that children are ready for school, families are prepared to support their children’s learning, and schools are ready for children. Head Start is a leader in the early childhood field, with a strong, clear and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development, including physical, cognitive and social and emotional development.
“Our mission is to provide quality individualized comprehensive services that empower children, families and staff from diverse backgrounds to achieve success,” Bailey said. “Red, White, and Blue Day was the first anniversary activity for SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start. Many other activities will be planned throughout the school year. It’s going to be an amazing year!”
For more information, visit SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start and National Head Start Association.