Aug. 18, 2008 — There's nothing like a bright smile and a hug to start out the day — and Human Services representatives were giving both out in abundance Monday as local Head Start teachers, staff and department officials gathered on St. Thomas for their first day of pre-service training.
The five-day conference is designed to give the Head Start staff and parents of students enrolled in the program a chance to talk about topics ranging from nutrition and early-childhood education to safety in the workplace. The event also jump starts the program's upcoming school year, which begins Sept. 2, according to Masikia Lewis, Head Start's acting assistant administrator.
Held at the newly renovated Head Start complex in Sugar Estate, the conference also highlighted the contributions of many parents and staff members who have donated thousands of hours to the program — without charging for their services.
"Many people have pledged their services to the program and have waived the amount of money they would normally charge as a fee," Lewis explained. "Many of our parents, for example, serve as teachers throughout the year. Because of all their efforts, we have racked up about $160,000 worth of in-kind services this year — and about $93,000 of that [is] from parents working in our classrooms."
This year's parent of the year, Deborah Hazelwood, donated more than 8,000 worth of in-kind services to the program. The father of the year, Aubrey Gerard Jr. donated more than 7,000 hours.
Speaking to a conference room filled with Head Start representatives, Hazelwood asked the audience to put together a definition of what it means to be a "real, true parent."
Raising his hand, Human Services Commissioner Chris Finch said being a parent means sacrificing, and being able to offer your children guidance and support. Someone else said being a parent means listening to your child, paying attention to what they do and showing interest in their activities.
"For me it means being involved all the time," said Hazelwood, a mother of two. "Your child has to be able to see you there — and if they can see that you're involved, they will be a better person in society today."
Awards — which included plaques, yearbooks and bottles of apple cider — also went out to staff at various local Head Start centers that have "created a welcoming environment for parents."
Focusing on early-childhood education — or really giving kids a "head start" in education — is the goal of the territory's program, Finch said earlier in the morning. He also encouraged staff members to stress parental involvement in the classroom and act as guides to younger parents putting their children through school for the first time.
Creating long-lasting memories for students is also a goal for Head Start teachers, added assistant Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez.
"Last year I was so impressed, because in every classroom I went to, I noticed that the children were so happy," Causey-Gomez said. "Here at Head Start, you really don't realize the kind of memories you end up making for the children — the kind of memories that they can keep holding on to. I encourage you to keep making those wonderful, terrific memories, for our children and for yourselves."
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