WOYC21

Weakley County Marks 50th Year of the Week of the Young Child
Posted on 04/20/2021
This is the image for the news article titled Weakley County Marks 50th Year of the Week of the Young ChildWith plans for Musical Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday and Family Friday, area preschoolers are certainly heeding County Mayor Jake Bynum’s proclamation of April 10-16 as the Week of the Young Child® in Weakley County.

Preschool teachers, educational assistants and county consultant Karen Fowler are introducing students to an array of activities as part of the annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. 2021 marks the 50th year of the observance.

“The purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs,” noted Fowler in an explanation of the week’s events.

Visiting musicians, pizza and ice-cream making, clean up around the school, sidewalk chalk drawings and murals, and family picnics are among the activities scheduled.

In his proclamation, attended by Dresden Elementary preschoolers and school and county representatives, Bynum expressed commitment to “the investment that stabilize, sustain and support child care and early learning so the essential workforce can continue to support children, families and our economy through the pandemic crisis, recovery, and beyond.”

Weakley County Schools includes preschool programs on five campuses – Dresden Elementary, Gleason School, Greenfield School, Sharon School, and Martin Primary. Teachers are Marla Rook, Sherri Brawner, Julie Arnold, Michaela Frederick, Beth Mathews, Jennifer Lamb, Taylor Zantop, and Kendall Wylie.

“This week is a sample of the incredible learning opportunities our young students experience as part of our preschool program in Weakley County,” said Terri Stephenson, the county pre-K director. “We know from a long history that when we are able to introduce classroom practices, reading and math basics, and the joy of learning to a pre-kindergartener we are pointing that child toward success. My wish is that even more parents will take advantage of this program.”

Dresden, Greenfield, Sharon and Martin Primary have spots still available for the fall of 2021. Contact the school principal to learn more.

County Mayor's proclamation
County Mayor Jake Bynum proclaimed April 10-16 as the Week of the Young Child in Weakley County during a brief ceremony at Dresden Elementary on Tuesday. Representing the school district were Dresden Elementary’s Cindy Mitchell and Principal Melanie Needham along with Weakley County Schools Pre-K Director Terri Stephenson and Karen Fowler, pre-K consultant. (Masks removed for photos only.)

Sharon Pre-K
Sharon’s Beth Mathews helps pre-K students make their own ice cream.

Greenfield pre-K
Pastor Brent Arnold led Greenfield students in a musical moment.

Dresden pre-K
Dresden Elementary’s music teacher Robin Pape encouraged pre-K students to sing along and then act out parts of bunnies, mice and “old, gray cats.”

Gleason pre-K
Gleason pre-K students and teacher Sherri Brawner were introduced to an array of instruments that Jon and Anna Eaton played on Musical Monday.
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