By: Estelle Dailey, Kings Canyon Head Start Center Director

An impromptu dance-off, fruit smoothie samples, and a booth that taught children and their parents how to grow a healthy garden were all part of Kings Canyon Head Start’s Annual Recruitment Carnival. The carnival met its goal of recruiting children into our Head Start program; a total of 27 applications were completed the day of the event and a total of 11 referrals.

Over 300 people attended the carnival which was themed “I Am Moving, I Am Learning”. The carnival encouraged participants to stay fit, eat healthy, and exercise. The cake walk was replaced with a fruit walk; fresh fruits and vegetables with cottage cheese dip, juice and water were also served.

Kings Canyon Head Start would like to thank the following groups and individuals:

• Fresno Police Department: Talked to children about community safety, and gave out pencils and badges

• Fresno Fire Department: Parents were able to sign up for smoke detectors if they did not have any installed in their home or apartment

• Food Bank: Provided over a 187 families with a box of groceries

• SOUL Students: Put on a puppet show about eating healthy and good nutrition

• Healthy Smiles: Provided information on oral hygiene and services in the community

• EPU: Assisted families who have a special needs child

• California Legal Service: Offered information and assistance with completing Census reports

• Hip Hop Dancers: Demonstrated ways to exercise through dancing

• Hmong Dancers: Demonstrated ways to exercise through dancing

• Head Start Nutrition Staff: Had an information booth and served fresh smoothies

• DJ –Manuel: A very, very special thanks to Manuel who has performed throughout the past four years

• Kings Canyon Health Staff: Distributed toothbrushes that were donated by various dental offices.

The staff at Kings Canyon would also like to thank Head Start’s management, especially Mrs. Tamala Olsby and Mrs. Alita Taylor for their support.