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Pinwheel gardens have been planted at both Glenwood Early Childhood Center and East Central University in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheel is a symbol of the national theme, "It's Your Turn to Make a Difference."

Glenwood kindergarten teacher Janet Cearley (left) and teacher's aide Jan Childress pose with Cearley's class before the children planted a pinwheel garden in front of the school. The pinwheels recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention month.
Glenwood kindergarten teacher Janet Cearley (left) and teacher's aide Jan Childress pose with Cearley's class before the children planted a pinwheel garden in front of the school. The pinwheels recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention month.

Children from Janet Cearley's kindergarten class planted the pinwheels on the front lawn of the school where they will remain for the month of April. Another garden is located in front of Fentem Hall at East Central University.

Smart Start South Central, an early childhood initiative at ECU, is hosting several activities this month along with the gardens. Blue ribbons have been placed on trees at Hayes Elementary and on the ECU campus. Several local restaurants and businesses are displaying table tents highlighting child abuse prevention and giving tips on how to help prevent abuse.

Each child care center in Pontotoc, Johnston, Murray and Garvin counties has received April calendars that list daily activities for parents and children to help families find small, important ways to connect.

And Miss Ada 2010, Jamie Drawbaugh, is the celebrity reader at the Preschool Story Time at the Ada Public Library on Tuesday [APRIL 13]. Children attending the story time will receive a free book from Smart Start South Central and will have the opportunity to sign up for a library card and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

For more information about Smart Start South Central and other early childhood programs in the Ada area, contact Trish Little at 580-559-5367, or Cindy Byrd at 580-559-5872.

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