ALEXANDRIA, VA – Kids’ First Years launched the inaugural Alexandria Month of the Young Child celebration with a kickoff event on Monday, April 7 at the Minnie Howard Early Childhood Center, located on the Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School.
The event began with a warm breakfast reception at 9 a.m., where families, educators, and community leaders gathered in support of Alexandria’s youngest learners. By 9:30 a.m., the program was in full swing with remarks from a lineup of local leaders who champion early childhood education.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed the crowd, highlighting the city’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and young children. She was joined by Dr. Grace Taylor, Chief of Staff for Alexandria City Public Schools; Kate Garvey, Director of the Department of Community and Human Services; Michelle Smith Howard, President and CEO of Kids’ First Years; and Rosy Vazquez, Co-Chair of the Kids’ First Years Family Council.
Attendees were treated to delightful musical performances, including a song specially written and led by Gregory House, performed by preschool students from the Minnie Howard Early Childhood Programs. Elias Schutzman, a teaching artist from Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts also led a captivating performance that had children and adults alike clapping along.
Kids’ First Years is a collective impact initiative serving as the unified voice for early childhood programs across the city. They coordinated the first-ever Alexandria Month of the Young Child to showcase how the community comes together to provide comprehensive early childhood education and care services and support for young children and their families.
April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kids’ First Years partners planted pinwheel gardens at schools and childcare centers on Friday, April 11 as a visible reminder of the happy and healthy childhood that all children deserve.
To learn more about Alexandria Month of the Young Child and see a full schedule of events, visit kidsfirstyears.org.
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