Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves paid an important visit to OCAP Head Start in Troy Monday morning. Surrounded by young children, the mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of April 16-20 the 2018 Week of the Young Child in Troy.

Reeves told the children that learning begins early in life and they are fortunate to have the opportunity to attend OCAP Head Start where they learn about many different things.

“You are important because you are the future of our community,” Reeves told the children. “You will be our parents, teachers, police officers and government officials. You are our future.”
The mayor said what is learned in school is very important and just as important is liking to learn. Learning is fun he said.

Reeves said all children deserve access to high-quality education and care.

“The Troy Head Start Center is working to improve early learning opportunities that can provide a foundation of learning for our children,” he said. “Early learning opportunities are community endeavors that involve parents, teachers and all of those who make a difference in the lives of young children. And, they all deserved thanks and recognition.”

In celebration of 2018 Week of the Young Child, the City of Troy treated the children with coloring books and snack and had special treats for the teachers.

Dorsey Fayson, a OCAP Head Start family service specialist, said a week of fun and learning has been planned for the young children at the Troy center.

“We greatly appreciated Mayor Reeves coming to visit with the children and proclaiming this week in their honor,” Fayson said. “Tuesday and Thursday are parents’ days and we invite all of parents to visit their children and learn more about what they are learning. On Wednesday, we’ll have members of the community and from the university come and read to the children. This is a good way for children to learn that reading can be enjoyed throughout life.”
On Friday, the children will participate in the Week of the Young Child Parade around the neighborhood.

“The children always enjoy the parade,” Fayson said. “They have a police escort and they wave to the neighbors and make noise and just have a good time.”

OCAP Head Start in Troy is now recruiting children, ages three to five, for enrollment in the school year 2018-2019. For information, call 566-6959 or 566-1712.