Head Start | PEACE, Inc.

Showcasing a Year of Creativity and Growth at Sumner Head Start

by Angel Belford | May 27, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Sumner Head Start proudly hosted its annual Art Museum, giving families the opportunity to celebrate the creativity and accomplishments of students through a collection of artwork created throughout the school year.

The exhibit featured a variety of projects that reflected the children’s imagination, learning, and growth. As families explored the displays, they were able to see the skills their children developed and the unique ways they expressed themselves through art.

The annual Art Museum is a special tradition that highlights the importance of creativity in early childhood education. It provides children with an opportunity to share their work, build confidence, and take pride in their accomplishments. We are incredibly proud of our young artists and all they achieved throughout the year.

To learn more about the Head Start and Early Head Start Program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Parents Working Together for Children’s Success

by Angel Belford | May 13, 2026 | News and Information

Parents and caregivers recently gathered at the PEACE, Inc. Liverpool Head Start location for a parent meeting focused on supporting children’s learning and staying connected with activities and opportunities throughout the program.

During the meeting, families learned more about classroom experiences, upcoming events, and ways they can continue encouraging learning and development at home. These conversations help keep families informed and engaged while providing opportunities to share ideas, ask questions, and strengthen connections with educators and staff.

Family involvement is an important part of the Head Start experience. When parents and educators work together, children benefit from consistent support both at home and in the classroom. PEACE, Inc. is grateful to the parents and caregivers who took the time to participate and invest in their children’s educational journey. Their involvement helps create a strong foundation for learning, growth, and future success.

Honoring Our Home Visiting Team During National Recognition Week

by Angel Belford | Apr 20, 2026 | News and Information

Celebrating Our Home Visiting Heroes!

April 20–24 marks National Home Visiting Week, a time to honor the dedicated professionals who bring the Head Start mission directly to the front doors of our community.

Our home visiting team here at PEACE is a powerhouse of multidisciplinary expertise. Comprised of teachers, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals, these individuals consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. While many educators work within four walls, our team finds their “classrooms” at kitchen tables and on living room floors. They travel across the entire county to meet families where they are, literally and figuratively.

Through their work, language, literacy, math, and science skills are built in the heart of the home. These voluntary, evidence-based services do more than just teach; they are a lifeline for maternal and infant health, child development, and the strengthening of family bonds during a child’s most critical early years.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Carrie, Kim, Eileen, Jessica, Sherry, and Beth for the wonderful service and unwavering heart they provide to our families every day.

Please join us in celebrating these Home Visiting Heroes for their tireless commitment to our community!

To learn more about the Home-Based program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Interactive Learning Sparks Curiosity and Creativity

by Angel Belford | Apr 14, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start recently hosted another Same Book Event at the Baldwinsville Jordan-Elbridge Head Start location, welcoming families for an evening of story, discovery, and hands-on fun centered around early literacy. Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the event turned a familiar story into an interactive experience where children and caregivers could learn, play, and explore together.

Families rotated through a variety of engaging activity stations that brought the story to life in creative ways. Children enjoyed themed crafts, shared in read-aloud moments, took part in a bug hunt, and visited examination stations where they carefully observed and explored items connected to the story. Each activity invited curiosity and conversation, giving children space to learn through doing while families joined in the experience.

The Same Book Event continues to be a meaningful way to strengthen early literacy skills while building strong home-to-school connections. Through shared stories and hands-on learning, PEACE, Inc. helps children grow their confidence, spark their imagination, and build a lifelong excitement for reading.

Early Learners Discover Emotional Awareness Through Theater Experience

by Angel Belford | Apr 10, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Sumner Head Start recently welcomed Syracuse Stage for an engaging and interactive performance of “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions.” The visit brought storytelling and theater directly into the classroom, creating a meaningful learning experience for our UPK students.

During the performance, students joined a pair of curious Martians as they discovered emotions for the very first time. With support from the children, the characters explored feelings such as excitement, frustration, and joy, while learning how colors and textures can help express different moods. The students were active participants throughout the story, helping guide the Martians as they navigated their new emotional world.

This creative experience supported early emotional learning by showing children that feelings are natural and can be expressed in many ways. It also reinforced the importance of empathy, communication, and supporting one another. Through partnerships like this, Sumner Head Start continues to create opportunities that help young learners grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

If you would like to learn more about the Head Start Program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/
To learn about the “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions” preformance visit: www.syracusestage.org/engage

A Hungry Caterpillar Adventure at Head Start

by Angel Belford | Apr 7, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start recently hosted a fun-filled evening for their annual Same Book Event, bringing families together to celebrate a shared love of reading. This year’s theme, The Hungry Caterpillar, inspired a variety of hands-on activities and creative crafts that engaged children and encouraged learning through play.

Families enjoyed a welcoming environment where they could read, create, and connect with one another. The event provided meaningful opportunities for children to explore literacy in a fun and interactive way while strengthening the connection between home and school.

The evening also included a special visit from Congressman John W. Mannion, who greeted staff, children, and parents and took time to explore the activities. He also spoke with students from Liverpool High School, adding to the excitement and making the event even more memorable for everyone involved.

Events like the Same Book Event highlight the importance of early literacy and family engagement in a child’s development. By bringing families, educators, and community members together, PEACE, Inc. continues to create meaningful experiences that support learning, strengthen connections, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

To learn more about the Head Start Program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Blooming with Creativity in Roxboro

by Angel Belford | Mar 16, 2026 | News and Information

Roxboro Head Start, Room 106 has been bringing learning to life by exploring the world of plants through a creative dramatic play flower shop and engaging classroom activities. Students used their imaginations as they stepped into different roles, practicing skills like working the register, taking orders, building bouquets, and gardening.

Through these hands-on experiences, children developed important social and communication skills while learning about plants and how they grow. The use of props and role-playing encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity in a fun and meaningful way.

Activities like this highlight how play-based learning helps children grow academically and socially, making the classroom a place where learning is both exciting and memorable.

To learn more about the Head Start program visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Healthy Food Exploration at Head Start

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

Head Start students at Sumner and Genesee are building healthy habits through hands-on learning experiences that engage their curiosity and senses. In Sumner Head Start, Room 107, children explored raw collard greens using their five senses. They observed the color and texture, felt the leaves, smelled them, and even listened to the sounds they made. Later, during lunch, students compared their findings with cooked collard greens and recorded their observations on a class graph, turning the experience into both a science and nutrition lesson. A playful moment during centers even included a zebra puppet joining in to “taste” the greens, adding creativity and fun to the activity.

At Genesee Head Start, Room 4, students have been actively participating in the Eat Well Play Hard program, where they are learning about healthy foods through interactive lessons. As part of the program, children had the opportunity to try a variety of salad ingredients, including snap peas, and discuss which foods they liked and which they did not. These taste-testing experiences encourage children to try new foods while building awareness of healthy choices.

Together, these activities highlight how Head Start classrooms create meaningful learning opportunities that connect nutrition, exploration, and play. By engaging children in hands-on experiences, students not only learn about healthy foods but also build confidence, curiosity, and lifelong habits that support their well-being.

Learn more about the Head Start program by visiting: www.peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Head Start is Wacky, Wonderful and Full of Learning!

by Angel Belford | Mar 4, 2026 | News and Information

Head Start students at Merrick and Sumner had a fun-filled week celebrating Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. At Merrick Head Start, Rooms 106 and 211 explored the playful rhymes and imaginative stories that have made Dr. Seuss a favorite for generations. Students participated in hands-on activities such as painting colorful hats and dressing up as The Cat in the Hat, bringing the stories to life in the classroom. The celebration was made even more special when one student’s dad joined the class to lead a fun activity, strengthening family engagement and making the week memorable.

Meanwhile, Sumner Head Start, Room 107, celebrated Wacky Wednesday with playful surprises and creative activities that encouraged early literacy and learning. Students dressed in wacky outfits and engaged in fun classroom challenges that made the day exciting while supporting social-emotional growth, imagination, and creativity.

These celebrations highlight how Head Start programs foster a love of learning through engaging, hands-on experiences. By connecting reading, creativity, and family involvement, students not only build early literacy skills but also develop confidence, social skills, and a lifelong excitement for learning.

To learn about the Head Start Program at PEACE, Inc. visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Young Learners Explore Black History Month

by Angel Belford | Feb 28, 2026 | News and Information

The children at Merrick Head Start celebrated Black History Month by learning about important African Americans who have shaped history, culture, and the world around us. Through age-appropriate lessons, classroom discussions, and creative projects, students explored important themes such as leadership, creativity, courage, and perseverance.

Each classroom selected a person to honor and created posters that reflected what they learned. Room 102 and Room 201 focused on Michael Jackson, while Room 103 learned about artist Alma Thomas. Room 104 celebrated the musical legacy of The Temptations, and Room 106 explored the life and music of Nat King Cole. Other classrooms honored civil rights leader Rosa Parks in Room 203, musician Jimi Hendrix in Room 204, actor Chadwick Boseman in Room 206, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Room 211.

Through art, storytelling, and guided conversations, students learned about the lasting impact these individuals have made. We are proud of our young learners for their curiosity, creativity, and thoughtful engagement as they celebrated Black History Month and the powerful contributions of Black leaders and artists.

For more information about the Head Start program visit: www.peace-caa.org/hs