The Organized Community Action Head Start programs in Troy and Brundidge celebrated the Week of the Young Child April 13-17 with proclamation signings by city officials and with special activities for the children.

The Troy Head Start Center was the site of a proclamation signing on Wednesday and the Brundidge Head Start Center on Thursday.

Octavia Jones, site director, said the Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

“The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to support early childhood programs and services that meet those needs,” Jones said. “During this week, we must recommit ourselves and others to ensure that every child enjoys the type childhood that lays the best foundation for the future.”

The Troy Head Start Center celebrated the week with a variety of activities including the reading of a proclamation from the City of Troy, special readers in the classroom and Grandparent’s Day.

“We had planned a parade around the neighborhood, but it was rained out. We are hoping for a sunny Friday so we can have Fun Day outside,” Jones said. “But, even with all the rain, we have had a wonderful week celebrating our young children.”

Shelia Jackson, Troy public relations director, congratulated the staff at Troy Head Start on another successful year of educating and celebrating young children.

“At the City of Troy, we recognize the important role that Head Start plays in preparing our young children to be successful in school and in life,” Jackson said. “Each year, the city sponsors Kindergarten Day to let young children know about the services that our city provides them and their families. These young children are our future, and we celebrate them and all of those who play a role in their lives.”

Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage and City Council Members Betty Baxter and Cynthia Pearson attended the proclamation signing at the Brundidge Head Start Center on Thursday.

Tracie Upshaw, site manager, said the Week of the Young Child brings a greater awareness to young children and their need for opportunities for early education, for emotional training and to develop social skills.

“We also have parent training opportunities,” she said. “All of those opportunities are important in the development of our young children.”

Ramage congratulated all of those who continue to make the Brundidge Head Start Program successful.

“The Brundidge Head Start and other local organizations, in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are continually working to improve early learning opportunities that provide a foundation of learning for children in Brundidge,” the mayor said. “Teachers and others who make a difference in the lives of young children in Brundidge and everywhere deserve thanks and recognition. That’s why we are here today, to thank and recognize all of them.”

Upshaw said activities planned for the children at Brundidge Head Start were hampered by rain.

“But, we have celebrated all week with indoor activities including relay races, songs and Bubble Day, which was especially fun for the children,” she said. “We thank Mayor Ramage and the council members for coming to make this ‘Week of the Young Child’ even more special for all of us.”

Both the Troy and Brundidge Head Start centers are now accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year for children ages three to five. The centers accept children with disabilities.

The Troy Head Start Center operates at a capacity of 120 children. For more information about registration, call 334-566-6959 or 670-6907. The operating capacity for the Brundidge Head Start Center is 40. The number to call is 334-735-5498.