Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 9-29-15 Edition

Local
The Benefits Of VPK For Florida Parents
ERNESTINE (MS. TINA) C. UPSHAW Lead VPK Instructor
VPK started in 2005 in Florida. It is a free program to all of the states, children that are 4 years old before Sep- tember 1st. Children can be enrolled in a school year pro- gram that totals 540 hours. They may attend private child care centers or public schools for 3 hours-a-day during the school year.
VPK, however, is in com- pliance with the school sys- tem’s holidays and emergency schedule. Most schools or child care centers have a wrap around schedule for parents when VPK ends for the day. This allows par- ents to go to school and/or have a full/part time job.
Ernestine (Ms. Tina) C. Upshaw, Lead VPK In- structor and Director of the Fussell Learning Academy, says parents can schedule their lunch break or use this time as an open window from classes in order to schedule lunch with their children or get them to their designated place of care. It allows the children a chance to gain an
educational experience and social skills as they interact with children their age.
“By the time they start missing their parents, the program is over and it’s time for them to be picked up,” said Ms. Tina.
Parents are welcome to visit and volunteer in their child’s school during these hours. That allows them the opportunity to see how their child’s day is planned and flows.
The children will be ac- cessed several times during the year so the parents will be aware of their progress. Ac- cording to statistics, 82% of children who completed VPK programs were ready for kindergarten, compared to 53% who did not participate in a VPK program in 2013.
In order for the child to be enrolled in the VPK program, the parent must obtain a VPK certificate. This can be ac- complished by visiting the Early Learning Collation website, www.elchc.org/ vpk_parent_online.html.
YWCA To Honor 2015 ‘Gems Of The Community’
DION LIM Master of Ceremony
On Thursday, October 1st, four bay area women will be honored as “Gems of the Community.” The event is signature event of the YWCA Tampa Bay.
The event will take place at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillion Park, at 12 noon. Prior to the luncheon, at 11 a.m., there will be a pre- event networking reception of regional leaders in busi- ness and community organi- zations.
The event will also feature a silent auction of unique handbags, jewelry, and other specialty items.
The event will recognize and celebrate during its inau- gural “Pearls of Wisdom”
ARTHENIA JOYNER State Senator
BETH HOUGHTON Executive Director, St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Luncheon four outstanding women of the Tampa Bay Area. They will be recognized for their leadership, inspira- tion, and encouragement.
Ms. Dion Lim, anchor and reporter for WTSP 10 News, will serve as the Mas-
ANGELA ROUSSON President, National Council of Negro Women
KRISTINA ALSPAW Visitor Experience Manager, St. Petersburg Area
Chamber of Commerce
ter of Ceremonies.
The honorees are Ms.
Kristina Alspaw, Visitor Experience Manager, St. Pe- tersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Beth Houghton, Executive Di- rector of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic; State Senator Arthenia Joyner, and Ms. Angela Rousson, Presi- dent of the National Council of Negro Women.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empow- ering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Tampa Bay has served women, girls and families in the Tampa Bay community since 1919.
The local organization is a private, accredited, non- profit, 501(c)(3) member af- filiate of YWCA of the USA.
During its 96-year his- tory, the YWCA Tampa Bay has built a legacy of provid- ing leadership for social change, advocating for women and families, striving to eliminate racism, helping to economically empower women, building hate-free communities, providing sec- ond chances – and creating generations of hope.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015