The Sacramento County Board of Education has proclaimed April 2-8, 2006 as Week of the Young Child to recognize the needs of young children and to thank educators and others involved in building better futures for all children. The event is celebrated across the country by hundreds of local organizations working to improve opportunities for all young children.
"Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "Week of the Young Child provides opportunities for all of us to recognize the importance of the early years, and to work together to build better futures for all children."
Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is an opportunity for early childhood programs across the country, including child care and Head Start programs, preschools and elementary schools, to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children.
The Sacramento County Board of Education also proclaimed March 2006 as Arts Education Month. The commemoration encourages all educational communities to celebrate the arts with meaningful activities and programs for pupils. The effort also encourages teachers, and the public to demonstrate learning and understanding in the visual and performing arts. The proclamation urges all residents to become interested in and give full support to quality school arts programs for children and youth.
Arts education in California is mandated for pupils in grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to the Education Code.
On March 8, 2006, the Sacramento County Office of Education hosted an awards presentation and exhibit reception for students in conjunction with Arts Education Month. The exhibit is sponsored by the Sacramento County Office of Education in conjunction with the California Arts Education Association (CAEA). The Youth Arts Education Month Exhibit may be viewed Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., through May 15 at SCOE's David P. Meaney Education Center: 10474 Mather Boulevard in Mather, CA.