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Council on Rural Services The kids at A Step Ahead classroom in Bellefontaine celebrated Week of the Young Child by exercising with Judy on Monday. Council on Rural Services Mayor James Nelson from Union City visited the children at Kids Learning Place center last week and signed a city proclamation naming April 11-15 as "Week of the Young Child." Council on Rural Services What a wonderful recognition for the volunteers of HandsOn West Central that was held Monday night at A Learning Place. Congratulations to all the honorees and all the giving volunteers that worked to "Be the Change" during this past year.Thanks to the Greenville Advocate for sharing these photos. Council on Rural Services Kids Learning Place in Greenville is getting ready to celebrate "Week of the Young Child" next week! On Wednesday, Mayor Mike Bowers stopped by the building to sign a proclamation and then took time to play with the children. Council on Rural Services Darke County Commissioners proclaim volunteer week - National Volunteer Week, celebrated from April 10 to 16, gives us a chance each year to acknowledge the huge impact volunteers have in our communities; a week to shine the spotlight on all that they do to improve our world. In celebration, HandsOn West Central Ohio will be having their volunteer recognition on April 11. Council on Rural Services Thanks to Cory Noonan, the Deputy District Director for Congressman Jim Jordan, for stopping by the Kids Learning Place in Urbana. During his visit to all the classrooms, we shared the importance of the early education program to the community's families and the need for continued funding. Council on Rural Services Everyone at the Kids Learning Place centers received new bright yellow tee-shirts to wear on all their field trips. What a great picture of the New Beginnings class showing off their new shirts on a field trip to the Darke County YMCA. Council on Rural Services AmeriCorps project director Kristy Warren shares ideas for increasing volunteering in Ohio during the Ohio Conference on Service and Volunteering. Council on Rural Services The Wonderland preschool classroom at Kids Learning Place in Piqua studied fine art and artists Picasso, Van Gogh, Money, Pollock, and Warhol all this month. Their classroom was filled with wonderful art that the children and families have created together. Council on Rural Services It was a good visit with Congressman Boehner's aide, Franke DeBrosse. We shared the importance of continued funding for Head Start families, teens in Gateway Youth, and all the good work done in our communities by the HandsOn West Central Ohio volunteers. Council on Rural Services Client Comments: "The Head Start center has done so much for my kids; they are way ahead of the curve in school. At my daughters first parent/teacher conference her teacher described her as the kindergartener that you WANT to have and that she was the most well-rounded child in the class" parent from Fairborn Council on Rural Services Client Comments: "In past years my children have been involved in the Head Start and Early Head Start program and I believe without the fundamentals of this program my children wouldn't have become who they are today." parent from Auglaize County Council on Rural Services Client Comments: "I have seen such a growth and change in my grandson that I strongly believe is due to the success and work of Head Start. He is making great strides and I am truly amazed by his maturity and willingness to help. The teachers have also given him an extreme sense of independence and self-sufficiency." grandmother from Darke County Council on Rural Services What role does early childhood education play in decreasing the drop-out rates? This article really highlights the importance of making sure quality pre-K education is available to ALL children, regardless of income. Council on Rural Services Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats