Angel Belford | PEACE, Inc.

Sneak Peek at Lafayette Head Start Activities

by Angel Belford | Feb 15, 2026 | News and Information

The children at Lafayette Head Start have been busy learning, exploring, and having fun each day in a warm and engaging environment. Through a variety of hands-on activities, children are encouraged to use their imaginations, build new skills, and learn through play both inside the classroom and outdoors.

Inside, children expressed their creativity by painting pinecones, diving into make-believe play, and strengthening problem-solving skills through building activities. Quiet moments of reading time helped support early literacy and a love of books, while group play encouraged cooperation and social development.

Outdoor adventures added even more excitement, with children enjoying snow play and active movement outside, giving them the chance to explore nature, stay active, and experience seasonal changes firsthand. These everyday moments of discovery and play are an important part of the Head Start experience, helping children grow, learn, and thrive in a nurturing setting.

Learn more about Head Start: www.peace-caa.org/hs

Dancing for Heart Health at Sumner Head Start

by Angel Belford | Feb 12, 2026 | News and Information

&Sumner Head Start hosted their Healthy Heart Dance, bringing children and parents together for a fun and engaging celebration focused on wellness and heart health. Families enjoyed a lively day filled with movement, creativity, and learning as they explored ways to keep their hearts healthy through play.

The event featured a variety of interactive activity stations designed to support both physical activity and creative expression. Children created Heart Animals and Heart People, experimented with Sponge Heart Painting, and showed off their moves during Healthy Exercise activities. Families also took part in games like Healthy Food & Heart Toss, and Pin the Heart on the Person, while temporary tattoos added an extra element of fun.

It was wonderful to see families coming together to celebrate healthy habits, active play, and community connection. Events like the Healthy Heart Dance help reinforce important wellness messages while creating joyful, shared experiences for children and their caregivers.

Young Hearts Making a Big Difference

by Angel Belford | Feb 11, 2026 | News and Information

Students and families at Grant Head Start Classroom 1 and Hawley PreK came together to celebrate National Kindness Month in a heartfelt and meaningful way. Across both classrooms, children and their families created Heart Cards for children receiving care at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, turning creativity into an act of compassion and community care.

This special activity gave young learners the opportunity to practice empathy, kindness, and generosity while learning that even small gestures can have a powerful impact. By making cards filled with care and encouragement, children explored how thoughtful actions can bring comfort and joy to others, especially to children who may need a little extra support.

We are incredibly proud of our students and families for embracing the spirit of kindness and spreading happiness beyond their classrooms. Their efforts are a beautiful reminder that when communities come together, small acts of love can make a big difference.

Pizza Day at Sumner Head Start

by Angel Belford | Feb 9, 2026 | News and Information

Sumner Head Start Room 211 recently brought learning to life by transforming their Community Helpers Domain into a pizzeria. Students stepped into the role of pizza makers, while parents joined in to support their young chefs as they created colorful “pizzas” made from construction paper.

This hands-on activity encouraged creativity, teamwork, and imaginative play while helping children learn about community helpers and how they contribute to everyday life. Sharing the experience with families made the activity even more meaningful, strengthening connections between home and classroom.

Moments like these highlight the value of interactive, play-based learning and family engagement, creating joyful experiences that support children’s development in a fun and nurturing environment.

If you would like to see if your family qualifies for the Head Start program visit: www.peace-caa.org/hs

“Dad Read to a Child” at Sumner Head Start

by Angel Belford | Feb 6, 2026 | News and Information

Sumner Head Start Room 102 recently celebrated male involvement in early learning with a successful “Dad Read To A Child” Literacy Event. Fathers, grandfathers, and other father-figures joined their children for a special storytime experience that highlighted the importance of reading together and building strong family connections.

The event provided a meaningful opportunity for children to share the joy of books with the important men in their lives while strengthening early literacy skills. Seeing families come together to support learning created a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for both children and caregivers.

We are proud of our students and families for participating in this special event and for showing how shared reading experiences can support learning, confidence, and lifelong connections to literacy.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer visit: www.peace-caa.org/get-involved/