St. Mary will observe Head Start Awareness Month

On Oct. 22, 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Head Start Awareness Month. Thirty-six years after the proclamation, his words still resonate throughout the Head Start community nationwide: “The National Head Start Program has helped over eight million low-income pre-school children and their families. In so doing, it has earned recognition and support for its success in early childhood education and development.”
The week of Oct. 22 is Head Start Awareness Week, and St. Mary/Vermilion CAA is celebrating with a plethora of activities, including Fun Day in the Park on Oct. 26. This event takes place at the Caffery Park on Barrow Street in Franklin.
Families and individuals are encouraged to come visit the centers during this time to see what services the agency has to offer them. On Monday, a Head Start proclamation signing day by local mayors and the parish president will be held at 9 a.m. at the Central Office for the Franklin and Baldwin mayors.
Another proclamation signing begins at 10:30 a.m. on the East End at Baby Bear Head Start Center, for the mayors of Berwick, Patterson and Morgan City.
Literacy Awareness is also on Oct. 22, as local officials and community representatives are asked to select a Head Start Center to visit and read a story to the children.
Tuesday is Red, White & Blue Day, during which students show their patriotism.
On Wednesday, the boys will wear bow ties and the girls will wear tutus for Bow Ties & Tutu Day, as a way to teach them the importance of good personal hygiene and self-care.
Finally the week culminates with the “Head Start Awareness FUN Day.: Community partners and vendors will set up tables to give out information and fun bags for our Head Start students and families. Community partners participating include: Teche Action Clinic, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Anytime Fitness, The St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce, Teche Regional and Franklin Foundation Hospitals and Scruff McGruff.
St. Mary CAA also invites all fathers, father figures, elderly citizens, and locally owned businesses to participate and display the community resources and programs available to the public through partnership with St. Mary Community Action Agency. If you have any questions or inquiries about any “Head Start Awareness Week Activities,” please call Tawana Colbert or Cynthia Prince at 337-828-5703.