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Dozens of little hands dug in the dirt on Monday, but it wasn’t just for fun. Preschoolers at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start helped plant rose bushes at the St. Clair County centers. 

“We joined with all the Head Start Centers across the country in planting rose bushes on May 18,” said Carolyn Jason, program operations coordinator. “The rose bushes are to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of Head Start.” 

On May 18, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced Project Head Start from the White House Rose Garden. Johnson made a commitment to open a window of opportunity for our nation’s most at-risk children and their families. 

In recognition of that historic day President Barack Obama declared May 18, 2015, as the 50^th Anniversary of Head Start. Read the full proclamation here. 

However, SIUE’s program, along with other Head Starts, is celebrating for an entire year. 

“The rose bush is a great addition to Lovejoy Head Start’s children’s garden,” said Center Coordinator Kay Roberrtson. 

Helping Robertson and Head Start teacher Ann Robinson plant a rose bush were Daniel Williams, three years old; Adrian Gardner, Jordyn Atkinson and Trinity King, all four years old. 

Currently, the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start serves 1,556 children and families in St. Clair County at seven Centers and a Home-based option. SIUE’s Head Start is nationally recognized and provides quality early childhood education that promotes school readiness for children and self-sufficiency for families. Services are available to St. Clair County expectant parents and families of children ages six weeks to five years old. 

The Head Start approach to School Readiness means that children are ready for school, families are prepared to support their children’s learning and schools are ready for children. Head Start is a leader in the early childhood field, with a strong, clear and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. 

“Our mission is to provide quality, individualized, comprehensive services that empower children, families and staff from diverse backgrounds to achieve success,” said G. Lynnie Bailey, Head Start program director.

Photos:

Students at the Belleville Head Start Center get in on the fun of planting a rose bush at their school. 

Proud of their work are students from Discovery Center for Little Scholars Head Start Center in East St. Louis. Pictured from left to right: Jayda Brown, 5; Malaysia Garner, 5; Trinity Mackie, 4; and Eah’kira Winters, 5. 

Working as a pair at the Lovejoy Head Start Center are Jordyn Atkinson (left) and Trinity King, both 4 years old. 

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start staff also planted a rose bush at their central office in front of Building C at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.