Before the commencement of the school year, teachers were appreciated with a dinner at Nissan of Las Cruces on August 2. Over 50 teachers, who teach grades ranging from preschool to high school, attended the event. Teachers had the opportunity to network with one another and learn about local home visiting services.
Tots Early Intervention Program and Day One Home Visiting Program Director, Sylvia Washington, presented to the teachers. “Home visiting looks at helping the entire family be successful in raising healthy, happy, and successful children. Home visiting helps families with small children to be school ready, as well as the families to be more successful in parenting their school-age children,” Washington said.
There were several prizes that were raffled. Teachers received school supply bags, children’s books, and other gifts as takeaways from the event. Parents as First Teachers donated several bags of school supplies for raffle prizes and Cristina Lugo, a licensed Massage Therapist from Area Wellness of Las Cruces and Ancient Ways Bodywork provided a gift certificate for a full body massage.
Melisa Bradee, a teacher at Tombaugh Elementary School, said she heard about the event on Facebook. “ I saw some old friends and met new people. I learned about resources that I can share with my staff and parents.”
The event was sponsored by Nissan of Las Cruces, CHI St. Joseph Home Visiting program, La Clinica de Familia Early Head Start, and the Doña Ana County Early Childhood Education Coalition.