Students Say Goodbye to Preschool; Parents Thanked for Support

It was a day to look ahead. A day to celebrate. A day of moving up! More than 100 preschoolers experienced their first graduation during Moving Up Days on Tuesday, May 20-Wednesday, May 21 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Centers throughout the Metro East. 

“Moving Up Day is the day that we recognize all of our Head Start preschoolers’ advancement to kindergarten for the upcoming school year,” said Lisa Tate, assistant program director/center operations. “It is likened to having a graduation ceremony.” 

Eight HS/EHS Centers, including the Home-based Option, participated in Moving Up Day and the Parents Awards Ceremony include Belleville, Bluffview, Cahokia, Discovery Center, JJK, Lovejoy, New Life and Lessie Bates Collaboration. 

Each Center held its own graduation ceremony with various activities, but with each child receiving a certificate. 

“It’s a time when all the children, families and staff can celebrate the wonderful opportunities and experiences that Head Start has provided,” added Tate. 

The Centers also held Parents Awards ceremonies. 

Dozens of parents received awards for: 

• Perfect Attendance
• Male Involvement
• Success Families
• Policy Council
• Education/Training 

Neshay Sanders from Discovery Center was awarded Parent of the Year and the award for Volunteer of Year went to Marniesha Parker from Lovejoy. 

“We have the best parents in our SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program,” said Tate. “We couldn’t do the great work we do with our students, if it weren’t for our amazing parents.” 

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families and children, from birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in nine early childhood centers, seven managed directly by SIUE staff and two collaborations. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/ dental screenings and family engagement and support activities.  

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More than 100 preschoolers participated in Moving Up Day graduation ceremonies at SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Centers throughout Metro East.