April 9, 2008 – The Virgin Islands Department of Education's St. Thomas- St. John District in cooperation with the V.I. Department of Human Services and the National Association for the Education of Young Children will observe the Week of the Young Child April 13-19. The annual observance focuses community attention on the needs of young children and their families, provides support to the early childhood programs and services that focus on meeting their needs, and thanks educators and others involved in building better futures for all children.
"The early childhood years, birth through age eight are critical years for our children," said District Primary Grades Coordinator April Munroe-Phillips. "During this time, the foundation for children's success in school and their adult life is laid and nurtured. This years' theme, Bring Communities Together for Children ~ Children Bring Communities Together, calls upon all stakeholders of our young children, to make a concerted commitment to ensure that every child experiences a positive early environment. It further challenges our village to take responsibility for the future of our community by providing support to those persons, agencies and institutions that advocate for the young."
Education Acting Commissioner Dr. LaVerne Terry encourages parents and persons with young children in their homes and families to make the extra effort to support youngsters and take an active role in the activities in which they are involved. "Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children. The Week of the Young Child provides opportunities for all of us – as political and educational leaders, business people, and community persons – to recognize the importance of the early years, and to work together to build better futures for all children.
"Across the country, young children and their families depend on quality education and care, which help children get a great start, and bring lasting benefits for our society as a whole. The Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the people, programs and policies that are helping to build better futures for all children, our communities and our world."
Parents are encouraged to join the celebration at their children's early childhood center or school during the weeklong observance. Thousands of children and adults throughout the territory will celebrate daily with a variety of activities to include: open house celebrations, assemblies, in-school parades, family reading day, cultural games and songs, flag and banner displays, art exhibits, field trips, class exchanges and much more. Students will be wearing the 2008 Week of the Young Child T-shirts, designed by Nailah Aisha Smith, a first grade student at the Leonard Dober Elementary School. Congratulations to you Nailah on your submission of the winning design.
In celebration of the Week of the Young Child, National Library Week and School Library Media Month, the district will culminate the observance with the Read on the Green: "Dewey Comes Alive" celebration on Friday, April 18 and Read on the Green: "A Family Affair" on Saturday, April 19.
The Read on the Green: "Dewey Comes Alive" Celebration takes place from 9–11 a.m., on Friday, April 18, for preschool to 3rd grade students and from noon to 2 p.m., for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students, at the University of the Virgin Islands golf course. "This celebration will feature presentations, exhibits, hands-on activities, and displays that will help students understand the Dewey subject classifications. Most of the presentations will demand student participation," said Phillips. "Students will learn to sing a song in Spanish under the 400s tent, use their bodies to graph their age for mathematics, watch butterflies hatch for natural science under the 500s tent, honk the horn on a fire truck and listen to their hearts beat under the 600s tent, enjoy steel pan music under the 700s tent and much more. The ECO Fair will also be a part of Read on the Green," she said.
On Saturday, April 19, members of the community, parents, guardians and children are all invited to Read on the Green: "A Family Affair" from noon to 5 p.m., at the UVI Golf Course. Bring your favorite books, blankets and chairs; get comfortable and read. During this event, families will have an opportunity for some TWI Time. That is time to read to your children, time to read with your children, and time to read independently. Children's books will be available in the book bin for those who do not have a book. Additionally, you are invited to bring books to donate for others to read. Added attractions for the children include face painting and storytelling.
Ro more information, contact April Munroe-Phillips at 775-2250, ext. 8525 or Nancy Christie, media library services coordinator, at ext. 8534 for more information.
