On Thursday, June 18, at Greenville Elementary School, five students graduated from the HIPPY Madison program, after they successfully completed 25 weeks or more. The ceremony celebrated the graduates, their parents as their first teachers and their HIPPY instructors. Students received gifts bags, certificates and books, as they each walked to the podium when their names were called. HIPPY (The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) is a parent involvement and school readiness program that offers free home-based early childhood education for three, four and five year old children, according to the HIPPY USA Florida fact sheet. Marixa Soto, HIPPY Florida Coordinator, welcomed, introduced and thanked all the students, parents, teachers and community guests for all of their hard work and efforts. She stressed the fact that it is sometimes hard for parents, especially single parents when it comes to preparing their children for school during early childhood. “We go out to visit our families and we teach them how to teach their children so they are better prepared when it is time for them to go to school,” said Soto. Hippy parent and mother of five, Clarissa Dennis, was given a special award during the ceremony for her achievements within the program and her own personal success. Dennis did not graduate high school, but credited the program as the reason she went back to get her GED.
"It's really hard going back to school, especially with five children. But I did it, and now I'm going back to college this year as soon as my children are back in school," said Dennis. According to Guest speaker Dr. Pouncey of PACE, it’s all about believing in our children and believing in the parents. It's about making them the best they can be, and to continue the success of the program the community needs to continue to be involved. "Start telling our friends and family, because this program is free. Legislature has written the HIPPY program into budget, thankfully, because we want our small and rural districts to also be provided with the best too." Assistant HIPPY Madison coordinator, Demetrie Tillman, says she visits her practice child Takiyah G., five, three times a week. She role plays with the child twice before actually guiding the parents in how to instruct their child at home.
“I bring Takiyah a book when I do my home visits and sometimes I will see her in school and she asks me ‘where's my book?’ She is a great student and is very eager to learn," said Tillman. HIPPY parent Vicky Spires has enjoyed watching her son, Darriel “Joe” Spires, four, progress and said the parent meetings has helped with his social skills tremendously. "Just watching him grow throughout his time in the program has been amazing and every day he is becoming a better reader" said Spires. Since the HIPPY Madison program began, their goal was to have graduated 60 students from the program. "Our staff has gone out and worked very hard and I am proud to say they have reached their goal," said Soto. To learn more about the program or how you can get your child involved, visit www.HippyUSA.org.
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1. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Brandi Concepcion, June 18, 2015. Ayden Wesley, three, is all smiles after receiving his award, during the HIPPY Graduation.
2. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Brandi Concepcion, June 18, 2015. Greenville Elementary School Principle Dr. Pettiford is pictured with HIPPY Madison Coordinator Marixa Soto after receiving her Award of Appreciation.
3. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Brandi Concepcion, June 18, 2015. Darriel "Joe" Spires and his mom Vicky Spires are pictured after receiving his awards and bag of goodies, during the recent HIPPY Graduation Program.