Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) held a special promotion program for students graduating to kindergarten throughout its centers at St. Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary of the Angels and Incarnate Word. The “Pomp and Circumstance” march played as cars – with the graduates in tow – drove by to pick up their certificate as well as a gift bag with educational learning materials by the Head Start building at St. Paul’s Parish on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans.
Head Start program director Rhonda Taylor and Catholic Charities president and CEO Marianite Sister Marjorie Hebert handed out the goodies to students. During the hiatus from school – due to the coronavirus – Head Start teachers were working virtually online with all 494 students through Class Dojo, Zoom and Facebook, Taylor said.
Head Start also was distributing diapers, hot meals and non-perishable food, knowing that there was a need within the families they serve.
Head Start graduations are always special, with children wearing caps and gowns, Taylor said, so she knew the 2020 graduation had to happen. “We didn’t want to let this go by,” she said. Taylor has received funding for a summer program, but didn’t know when it will be held.