{"id":14020,"date":"2020-05-18T08:16:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T12:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=14020"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:07:04","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:07:04","slug":"head-start-celebrates-55-years-of-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2020\/05\/head-start-celebrates-55-years-of-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Head Start\u2019 Celebrates 55 Years of Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

For more than five decades, the National Head Start Program<\/a> has helped turn the graduation cap tassels of more than 37 million low-income children across the United States, instilling in each of them a solid foundation of how to thrive, grow and learn.<\/p>\n

On Monday, May 18, 2020, Head Start celebrates its 55th<\/sup> anniversary, while the County program<\/a> has open slots in registration for its 2020-21 academic year.<\/p>\n

Head Start, a school-readiness program for low-income families, serves the most vulnerable populations of Orange County. Those who are eligible, must live in Orange County, have a child who will be 3 or 4 years of age by September 1, 2020 and whose household income meets the 2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines<\/a>. It is a free program, and offers individualized instruction to enhance intellectual, emotional and social growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur attendance rate is at about 92%, which is well above federal standards,\u201d said Orange County Head Start Director Sonya Hill. \u201cOur teachers works very hard because we know we are serving our area\u2019s neediest families. Our job is to make sure each of these children can go on and be successful. Head Start works for our community and we have data and evidence that supports this assertion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program, which has been serving families in Orange County since 1965, offers enrolled children the opportunity to learn through \u201cplay\u201d and develop a routine. Daily activities include:<\/p>\n