Celebrate National Week of the Young Child

ROANOKE, VA— Sunday, April 6^th marks the beginning of national Week of the Young Child.  The week, sponsored by Bank of America, United Way, Success By 6 and the Southwest Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education (SVAECE), is full of programs benefiting children and parents alike. 

            Nominations for Champion of Children awards are being accepted until midnight on March 28^th, 2003.  Champion of Children awards are given to those in the community committed to the care and education of Southwest Virginia’s children.  Awards will be presented for the following categories: Parent, Youth, Young Child Professional, Employer Teacher Champion, Home-Based Champion, Director/Administrator Champion of Children and the Mary Steinhardt Champion of Children Advocacy Award.  Nomination forms can be found online at http://www.uwrv.org/successby 6.htm or by e-mailing successby6@uwrv.org.

            Child care professionals will be recognized at a mystery-theater dinner on Thursday, April 10^th.  The ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke.

            Success by 6 and United Way are also hosting a community leaders discussion on preparing children to learn.  The discussion takes place on Tuesday, April 8^th, 2003 in the Roanoke Ballroom of the Roanoke Hotel.  Registration and a breakfast buffet begin at 7:30 a.m. The program begins at 8:00 a.m.  The keynote speaker is David Lawrence, retired publisher of the Miami Herald and President of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation.            SVAECE will also be sponsoring a Funday at Valley View Mall on Saturday, April 12^th.  This event will include games, crafts, dancers, and more.