Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK – All children deserve a head start to prepare for kindergarten. For more than a quarter of a century, the Cherokee Nation Head Start program has been a leader in early childhood development and on Monday, Oct. 3, the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit will be hosting a National Head Start Day celebration at the James Danielson Children’s Village in Tahlequah.

Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit Head Start program and others from across the country are joining together to celebrate Head Start’s 40th birthday and to strengthen awareness of the Head Start program.

Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with a parade around the Children’s Village, and then to the playground for the reading of the National Head Start Day proclamation by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. After the parade, the Maryetta Public School Riverdancers will perform their unique style of dance for the audience.

Created in 1965, Head Start is the premiere national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. More than 22 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start.

Cherokee Nation Head Start and Early Head Start not only provide health, education and social services to children and families, but also for their psychological and nutritional requirements. A leader in early childhood development, the Cherokee Nation Head Start program has been serving children and families within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdictional area for 26 years.

National Head Start Day is being held to call attention to the accomplishments of the Head Start program and urge all citizens to increase their awareness of this unique program.

Everyone is encouraged to join us in this celebration day that will recognize those who strive to provide an environment that is healthy and safe for our children.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information on National Head Start Day, contact Carla Hatfield, phone: 918-458-4393 (ext.225), or Robin Allen (ext.231).

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org