Parents Line Up For Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
Published March 27th, 2012
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Celebrate the Child Events have been present in Gainesville for the past eight years, in an attempt to raise awareness on child abuse and offer help.
Kathy Winfrey, Chair of the Alachua County Abuse prevention task force says the county is no stranger to abuse.
“It is true that Alachua County does have a high number of child abuse and neglect cases approximately twelve-hundred students a year are victims of abuse and neglect in our county.”
This sunday at Tower Road Library in Gainesville, Winfrey and the Alachua County Abuse Prevention Task Force celebrated their 8th annual "Celebrate the Child Program." About 30 vendors showed up with prize wheels, bounce houses, and arts and crafts. But fun and games weren’t the only pull for some families. The event is also serving as an opportunity for parents show how much they care. Hundreds of them came out to sign their kids up for a special program called VPK. Jamie Tate of "A Child's Academy," says VPK is a unique opportunity.
“VPK is a state funded program that is voluntary pre kindergarten for all children that are 4 years old prior to September 1st to get them in a program to prepare them for kindergarten.” A head-start that these parents are not hesitating to jump on.
Kathy Winfrey, Chair of the Alachua County Abuse prevention task force says the county is no stranger to abuse.
“It is true that Alachua County does have a high number of child abuse and neglect cases approximately twelve-hundred students a year are victims of abuse and neglect in our county.”
This sunday at Tower Road Library in Gainesville, Winfrey and the Alachua County Abuse Prevention Task Force celebrated their 8th annual "Celebrate the Child Program." About 30 vendors showed up with prize wheels, bounce houses, and arts and crafts. But fun and games weren’t the only pull for some families. The event is also serving as an opportunity for parents show how much they care. Hundreds of them came out to sign their kids up for a special program called VPK. Jamie Tate of "A Child's Academy," says VPK is a unique opportunity.
“VPK is a state funded program that is voluntary pre kindergarten for all children that are 4 years old prior to September 1st to get them in a program to prepare them for kindergarten.” A head-start that these parents are not hesitating to jump on.
Mother of two, Ilse Salcedo-Ferguson has looked into the program and feels like it's a good fit for her son. “I just have found from what i have read about the VPK program, it’s just a really neat opportunity to work on his skills.... ‘look at this!’ I see that’s very pretty. to make sure that he’ll be ready for kindergarten when it’s his turn.” Winfrey says many families will walk away from this event with a brighter future for their children and something more.
“I’d like for them to walk away with the message that it takes a village to raise a child and together we can all work together to prevent child abuse and neglect.”
Through good parenting and an earlier education parents like Salcedo-Ferguson should have nothing to worry about.
“I think he’s gonna do well, you gonna do good in school baby? ‘Yeah!’ yeah.”
One more child to celebrate and offset some negative statistics, Chris Gilmore WCJB TV20 News.
“I’d like for them to walk away with the message that it takes a village to raise a child and together we can all work together to prevent child abuse and neglect.”
Through good parenting and an earlier education parents like Salcedo-Ferguson should have nothing to worry about.
“I think he’s gonna do well, you gonna do good in school baby? ‘Yeah!’ yeah.”
One more child to celebrate and offset some negative statistics, Chris Gilmore WCJB TV20 News.
Reporter:
Chris Gilmore
