Verde Valley AZ (February 11, 2014) – Hopi Head Start is having playground development weekends this spring. Crossing Worlds Hopi Projects of Sedona is supporting this project with the purchase of new equipment and supplies. “We invite volunteers from our Verde Valley area to come work along side Hopi parent volunteers to do installations on the playgrounds at Polacca, Kykotsmovi, Hotevilla and Moencopi over four consecutive weekends beginning March 8 – 9,” says director Sandra Cosentino.
Hopi Head Start Director Rayma Duyongwa says, “One of the many challenges that that we face is that many of our children do not have access to play areas that supply high quality equipment suitable for developing physical skills for children ages birth to five. The only access they have would be within the school settings throughout Hopi.”
“Right now each Head Start playground has one piece of equipment and a lot of empty space” says Cosentino. “The vision of the dedicated Hopi Head Start staff is for these playgrounds to be an appealing, interwoven complex with a Hopi feel and look to it that stimulates imaginative play and physical skills.”
Three pieces of new equipment purchased from a Crossing Worlds Hopi Project grant will be installed along with a natural obstacle course, paver hop scotch, and man in the maze labyrinth in March at the 4 playgrounds. In May fruit trees and drips systems will be installed. Support is invited to obtain fruit trees, grape vines and other shrubs and drip systems as well as to help with planting and installation.
Volunteer help and monetary donations are welcomed. There will be an information table in front of New Frontiers Natural Foods, Sedona, February 22 and March 1 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. To find out more, you can contact Sandra Cosentino at info@crossingworlds.org or 928-282-0846; http://www.crossingworlds.org. Cosentino will hold an orientation session for interested volunteers during the first week of March.
