Celebrating the “Week of the Young Child”

BROKEN BOW April 2-8, 2022 was declared the “Week of the Young Child” with a proclamation signed by Broken Bow Mayor Rod Sonnichsen. That proclamation was shared with child care providers and advocates at Broken Bow Chamber ribbon cuttings and a GROW Award presentation on March 31. Copies of the proclamation were given by the mayor to childcare business people and advocates at Early Head Start, Super Kids Club, 4 County Kids and Precious Angels Daycare.

The Proclamation of the Week of the Young Child (WOTYC) highlights the need of “high-quality early care and education for all children and families within our community” and recognizes the groups that “ensure every child, beginning at birth, is healthy and successful.” The WOTYC was first celebrated in 1971 and recognizes that early childhood years lay the foundation for children’s success in school and in life.

Precious Angels Daycare was presented a GROW Award from the Chamber in recognition of improvements and expansion of the facility. Pictured above are Seated from left: Stephanie Grafel, Chamber executive director; Danielle Hendricks; Nancy Coufal with Joseph and Clara; Jeana Chancellor with Karoline and Alec; Heather Schmidt and Megan Linn, city deputy clerk. Standing Melissa Crawford, 4 County Kids; Sara Arnold Precious Angels Daycare; Ahren Finney; David Cchmidt, city council; Dan Knoell, city administrator; Rod Sonnichsen, Broken Bow mayor; Mary Shaw, owner, Precious Angels Daycare; Vedah Fales; and Kandi Peters, city clerk.

Mona Weatherly Celebrating Early Head Start above are, seated, from left, Danielle Hendricks; Jeana Chancellor; Stephanie Meyers holding Aitana; CaLee Thomsen holding Arianna; Lorna Vincent holding Greyson; Melissa Slagle holding Jaymee; and Christie Ference, assistant director, holding Gianna. Standing: Julia Russell holding Easton; Ahren Finney; Dan Knoell, city administrator; Rod Sonnichsen, mayor; Jeannette Birnie, area manager; Stephanie Grafel, Chamber director; Sid Fessler, Chamber vice-president; Kandi Peters, city clerk; Chris Smith; Kristy Wells; and Megan Linn, city deputy clerk.

Mona Weatherly Above, children of the Super Kids Club and staff members with Director Megan Crawford at far right, prepare for a ribbon cutting March 31. The after-school program and summer program is for grades Kindergarten through Fifth. Currently there are 125 children enrolled. Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will start soon, according to director Megan Crawford. Mayor Sonnichsen thanked Crawford and the Super Kids Club staff for the work they do, saying, “You do great things for the youth.”

Mona Weatherly Above, celebrating 4 County Kids, a child care advocacy program, membership in the Broken Bow Chamber are, seated from left, Danielle Hendricks; Stephanie Grafel, Chamber executive director; Nancy Coufal and Jeana Chancellor. Standing: Dan Knoell, city administrator; Rod Sonnichsen, Broken Bow mayor; Chris Smith; Melissa Crawford, 4 County Kids; David Schmidt, city council; Vedah Fales; Heather Schmidt; Megan Linn, city deputy clerk; Ahren Finney; and Kandi Peters, city clerk.