HCDE Head Start festival draws over 1,300 attendees
with engaging, family-friendly activities
Crafts, games and prizes galore were enjoyed by HCDE Area I Head Start families at Family Day Festival 2012 on Oct. 20. Held during Head Start Awareness month, the festival is designed to help foster the relationship between the program, children served and their parents.
“October is Head Start Awareness month and the Family Day Festival is an excellent opportunity to continue our efforts in establishing relationships and partnerships with families in the program,” said HCDE Head Start Director Venetia Peacock. The festival drew over 1,300 attendees for family-friendly activities.
Attendees at the sunny, Saturday morning event participated in age-appropriate activities for the pre-school children and their families.
“These fun and educational activities are designed with the specific purpose of encouraging family members to interact with their children and staff,” said Peacock.
The outdoor festival included games, face painting, moonwalks, crafts, food, family photos and information booths. Local businesses and organizations sponsoring the Family Day Festival activities include: United Healthcare, R.E.A.D. for Houston, Lakeshore Learning Materials and Mutual of Omaha Bank.
Photo: Armando Rodriguez, HCDE Head Start; brothers Robert Walker (6) and Lavoy Walker (5); and Roa Espinoza, United Healthcare pose for a photo at the United Healthcare family photo booth. According to Robert and Lavoy, the best part of the festival was the face painting.
About Harris County Department of Education’s Head Start Area I: Harris County Department of Education Area I Head Start serves families residing in east Harris County, providing 16 area centers for about 1,170 children and their families. Head Start is a federally funded program that prepares children ages 3-5 for school. It also supports and promotes parent participation as it builds stronger families. Low-income families or families of children with special needs benefit from services. For more information, call (713) 672-9343 or visit http://www.hcde-texas.org.
About HCDE: Harris County Department of Education provides education services to the general public and 26 school districts throughout Harris County and beyond. Services include adult education, programs to promote safe schools, after-school programs, therapy services, professional development for educators, special schools, alternative certification for principals and teachers, Early Childhood Intervention and Head Start programs. We offer purchasing procurement, grant development, program research and evaluation, records management, and school finance support. Since 1889, our services continue to evolve to meet the needs of our education public. Visit us at www.hcde-texas.org.