This week, April 2-8, is the Week of the Young Child. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 52 Affiliates. 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. NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we—as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation—will better meet the needs of all young children and their families. Please watch for more information and pictures as our preschool classroom celebrates this week with Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday.
Hay Springs Students Cast a Vision for the Future of Their Community
Last Tuesday, the Hay Springs High School student council shared their perspectives about their community and priorities looking 10 years into the future. This activity was funded in part by a USDA-RD grant for the Northwest Nebraska Rural Prosperity initiative and facilitated by Craig Schroeder with the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.
Key themes that emerged from the students’ work included: appreciation for living in a closely knit small town with community support for youth activities, valuing local small businesses, desire for more activities for teens, community improvements including the golf course and parks, renovation and new uses for rundown buildings, more restaurants, and quality affordable housing. The students noted the annual Friendly Festival as an important community event and would like more activities for teens to participate in.
Regarding the future, the students expressed interest in more career and business opportunities in addition to agriculture, increased access to the local health clinic, and added educational options to prepare student for a variety of career pathways. They also envision construction of a sale barn, more restaurant options, a movie theater, bowling alley and activities including fishing tournaments, demolition derby, golfing and summer league sports.
The next step is to invite additional Hay Springs students to share their ideas with community leaders and together determine one or more priorities to begin work on.
32 oz. water bottle, $30. Personalized for $5 extra. Available in black, gray, green, yellow, or white with engraving in silver.
Please contact Rachel Mandelko at the school if you are interested in ordering one. This is not a fundraiser, just trying to get a product out to those who want one. These will be locally made at Engravers in Chadron.
The JR High Quiz Bowl competition in Morrill (March 18, 2022) has been canceled.
Family And Consumer Science class delivered handmade Valentine cards to the residents at Hay Springs nursing home on Valentine’s Day.
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