‘Week of the Young Child’

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Students in the Organized Community Action Program’s Head Start are celebrating this week.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford joined the celebration Tuesday by proclaiming April 9-15 as "Week of the Young Child" in the city and delivering a large cake to the students, teachers and volunteers.

Surrounded by children, Lunsford read the proclamation that stated the future of Troy depends on early childhood education and development.

Octavia Jones, center director, said the week-long celebration here is part of "National Celebrate Week of the Young Child."

On Wednesday, the students celebrated Grandparents Day with a musical program at 10 a.m. Students donned their most creative for Crazy Hat Day on Thursday and will play outside and enjoy ice cream during Fun Day, which is today.

Each April the week is used to bring public attention to educating young children. Locally, Jones said the week serves as a chance for teachers and volunteers to "recommit ourselves" to educating tomorrow’s adults.

Jones wants every child to have the opportunity to enjoy "they type of childhood that brings foundation for the future."

As a matter of fact, the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s theme for this week is "Early Childhood ­ Where Our Future Begins."

And those 115 OCAP Head

Start students learn in six classrooms with the help of teachers and aides. They are also given breakfast and lunch each day.

"We are a comprehensive pre-kindergarten program," Jones said.

What makes the program special is the community involvement it has.

Whether its adults coming in to read a book to the students or Troy State University students doing a little painting a shelf building, Jones said the Head Start program has grown because the community cares.