Emerson and Mayor Spruill declare April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Starkville
To kick off the month, the Emerson Family School hosted a Pinwheel Ceremony and invited members of the community out to raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month.
During the ceremony, Mayor Lynn Spruill proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. While it is nationally recognized, the proclamation raises awareness in Starkville for this year and the future.
“It’s sort of a double-edged sword, having to proclaim Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month is sad that we even have to make that kind of proclamation, but I am happy to be here and support that and to say how important of an issue it is for our community that we absolutely have to address,” Spruill said. “Our school system is working hard to do that through this Emerson Family School. As Mayor of Starkville, I, Lynn Spruill, hereby proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Starkville, Mississippi. I call upon all citizens, community agencies, organization, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.”
At the end of the ceremony, all who were gathered placed blue pinwheels around the sidewalk at Emerson Family School on Louisville Street, and Barbara Culberson explained the significance of the pinwheel.
“The pinwheel represents transformation, and if you notice the wind blowing it, it’s going everywhere. It represents a new beginning and taking an obstacle
and turning it into an opportunity,” Culberson said. “What we’re really saying as we plant the pinwheels is that something may have happened, for those of use who work with children we call them ACES
or Adverse Childhood Experiences, but it does not have to define a child.”
The staff at Emerson Family School would like people to drive by and see the pinwheels to get the conversation started around town on what can be done to help the children who are suffering from child abuse.