"I have been involved with Head Start since 1983, first as a parent/volunteer and presently as staff. Head Start lead the way for my children's present successes. I believe that my children succeeded in school due to the social, education and support of the Head Start program."

"My son (5 years old) and daughter (6 years old) both attended New Castle County Head Start’s Bear Center. Both children have become more socially interactive with other children and their personalities have blossomed. My daughter had such a positive experience with her teacher at Head Start that she loves learning and it gave her a head start with the whole school experience. My son’s teacher called him at home just last week to see how his summer was going. He was thrilled to hear from her. This is just one example of how the Head Start teachers go the 'extra mile'."

"I have been a Head Start parent since 2002 and am currently on the Policy Council and Finance Committee. As a parent being involved on two committees, I have been treated as an equal in the meetings and I have learned a lot of things that I would have not normally learned. It has been a surprising and wonderful experience, being a Head Start parent. Jeff Benatti, the Executive Director, is the most personable person you could ever meet and there has never been a time that I have had an issue that he has not helped me with it. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to meet him."

Delcina Smith
July 28, 2005