Looking for a fun and safe way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with young children?
Then mark your calendar for the second Happy Noon Year’s Eve event.
The party starts at 10:30 a.m Saturday at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School, 550 Miller Lane in Seymour. There will be snacks, crafts, games and other activities geared toward children ages 2 to 8.
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At noon, a countdown will take place and 500 balloons will be dropped on the children. The party ends at 12:30 p.m.
There is no cost for admission, and children of all ages are welcome to attend. Parents or guardians must remain with their children for the duration of the event.
More than 250 people attended last year.
Organized by the Jackson County Education Coalition’s Early Childhood Learning initiative, Happy Noon Year’s Eve is a way to increase awareness of preschool opportunities in the area, especially On My Way Pre-K.
On My Way Pre-K is a state-funded program currently serving 95 four-year-olds at 13 sites in the county including public and parochial schools and private day care centers.
The program provides vouchers to low-income families to send their children to a preschool program in the area that has received a Level 3 Paths to QUALITY rating through the state’s Family and Social Services Administration.
A Level 3 out of the four levels means the program has high-quality curriculum in place that supports early childhood learning and school readiness.
Jackson was one of five counties selected by the state in 2014 for the pilot program. Other counties participating are Marion, Allen, Lake and Vanderburgh.
Those counties are larger than Jackson County, which was the only rural county selected. In those counties, there are more students who qualify and more providers.
To continue On My Way Pre-K, the education coalition is working to secure financial partners in the community to help support it.
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What: Second Noon Year’s Eve event
A 500 balloon drop, prizes, activities, fun, snacks, games.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Brown Elementary School, 550 Miller Lane, Seymour.
Who: Children ages 2 to 8. Parents and guardians must remain with their children
Cost: Free
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