Start your engine and get ready to celebrate! More than 200 Early Head Start and Head Start employees gathered at the Irvington Conference Center on May 29 to cross the finish line of another successful academic year. The team-building event embraced a racing theme, which allowed division leaders to recognize employees as the driving force behind educating Harris County’s youngest learners.  

“I’m watching everyone reconnect with each other, and it’s beautiful to see because we are finishing strong,” Head Start Senior Director Venetia Peacock exclaimed in her opening remarks. “It has been a year of ups and downs and we have faced challenges, but it’s the end of the school year and we are still standing.” 

Employees started the event with a group activity that involved decorating and piecing together a paper shoe. Each puzzle piece represented a campus staff member and showcased how individual and team contributions are vital to a successful school year. Afterward, employees from each campus shared their achievements and answered questions on best practices when implementing new strategies.  

Before the day concluded, Peacock shared significant program updates with staff, including the potential expansion of the division’s Early Head Start program. Leaders are awaiting a grant application that would fund additional slots at HCDE’s Compton and Channelview campuses.  

Peacock also announced the closing of Fifth Ward and Pugh Head Start campuses due to continued low enrollment. Students will have the opportunity to transfer to HCDE’s new Coolwood campus in the Northshore community, which opens in August.  

To learn more about HCDE Head Start, visit hcde-texas.org/head-start.