The V.I. Department of Human Services held a press conference on Thursday at the Mars Hill Head Start Facility in Frederiksted to announce the progression of capital projects and the beginning of the Head Start program for the new school year.
Administrator of the Human Services Office of Head Start Masikia Lewis said that Head Start children and families can expect to be greeted by their new teachers on their first day back on Sept. 5. Secondly, there will be opportunities for volunteering and engagement. Third, opportunities to meet new friends and peer-to-peer learning. Families will be fully incorporated into the Head Start community.
Later, Assistant Commissioner Carla E. Benjamin shared details of upcoming Head Start projects.
“You were here last year to announce that we had successfully been awarded federal dollars but now the funds are being used for the project that the community can see and that, ultimately the end product that the community can use. Actually, it’s not the end product. It’s actually six deliverables,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin provided updates on the six ongoing projects. The Cruise Bay Head Start Center on St. John is currently in the demolition phase and, when completed, will be a one-classroom learning center bringing to the community an early education environmental space. On St. Thomas, renovations are taking place at a one-classroom Head Start Center at Lindbergh Bay, the Minetta Mitchell Head Start Nutrition and Storage Facility, which will create needed space for the Head Start components staff and materials in both St. Thomas and St. John district and the Bolongo Head Start Center a four classroom site.
On St. Croix, demolition and construction of the Anna’s Hope Administrative Building is set to begin and will bring on more modern, occupant-friendly spaces for the Head Start components.
“Components such as our social services aids will work directly with families who have children in the Head Start Program. Our health component because that is one of the components that the Head Start program provides. Health services, family services and disability service components are also housing our administrative buildings. This project will bring a good space, a better space we have currently for staff. Lastly the Concordia Head Start Center demolition. Demo and renovations for these projects have different completion dates but are expected to be completed within a twelve-to-eighteen-month time period.
Benjamin said the fact they have been able to get to this point has been a team effort. She also said that the department is thankful to the Office of Disaster Recovery, Government House, the Department of Property and Procurement, Department of Public Works and others.
The Commissioner at the Department of Human Services, Kimberly Causey Gomez, said, “These projects under the guidance of the V.I. Department of Human Services Office of Head Start embodies our commitment to providing our young learners with a safe environment that nurtures their growth and development as a path of success. The Head Start program has always been one of my favorite programs and it’s always been a beacon of educational opportunity, providing a strong foundation for our children’s journey through not only school but also life.”
“These endeavors reflect our dedication to creating exceptional learning spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning,” Causey-Gomez said.
To see the press conference in its entirety, you can visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Facebook page.
Registration with Head Start is always ongoing throughout the year. The phone number to register on St. Thomas is 340-774-0930 ext. 4200 and on St. Croix, 340-773-1972.
