Dozens of the St. Thomas – St. John District’s youngest learners paraded along the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Waterfront on Friday, April 12 in celebration of the Week of the Young Child, observed April 8-12, 2019 nationwide. Organized by Elementary Programs Coordinator Kalamis Maduro students in pre-kindergarten through third grade attending public, private, and parochial schools marched from Emancipation Garden to Emile Griffith Ball Park.
The weeklong of activities held in schools included a pajama day, fraco day, wacky hair day, and an arts and crafts day. At the park, students played carnival games courtesy of My Brother’s Workshop, read stories with the Carnival Queen Contestants, created hand puppets, and interacted with various public and private sector agencies and organizations.
The West Indian Company Limited, Inc., St. John Westin Villas & Resort and VIYA were official sponsors of the celebration.
Participating agencies and community organizations included the Home Depot, Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries, WAPA, VITEMA, Virgin Islands Police Department, Virgin Islands Fire Services, Public Works, Waste Management, VI National Guard, Hot on the Spot, Emergency Management Services, WTJX, the Department of Tourism, and St. Thomas Rescue.
The Department thanks the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation and the STTJ District Office of the Insular Superintendent for contributing to the success of the event.
Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration across the United States and is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Its purpose is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services.
