In a filled-to-the-brim Irvington Conference Center, team members of Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Head Start division welcomed each other for the 2026-2027 Back to School rally. The annual event brings together staff across Head Start’s 12 centers alongside the division’s administration team for a day of fellowship and catching up and preparing for the start of the upcoming academic year.

The theme, “Harmony: Kindness, Service and Learning,” was carried out through the day through activities and a message from keynote speaker, Michael Prince. He emphasized the importance of every individual within Head Start to best provide top-tier service to Harris County’s youngest learners and support to their families.

For all but two Head Start campuses, classes are set to begin Aug. 17. Dogan and Fonwood centers, which are housed at Houston Independent School District campuses, started Aug. 10 with the district.