To finish something, you must start. 

On August 1, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community came together to officially welcome the little ones who began their academic journeys at the Early Childhood Education Center. 

Education Board Chair Kyland King, educator Ipa Dutchover, SRPMIC Council member Jacob Butler, Council member and board member Deanna Scabby and many more, greeted families and students at the entrance to the ECEC building on the first day of the school year. 

The students happily walked down the “Welcoming Row” established by staff at the building entrance, while Dutchover sang traditional gourd songs.

High-fives, handshakes, hugs and a few tears, but not many, were had by the students. Sporting their brand-new backpacks, shoes and clothes, the students arrived prepared for their first-ever day of preschool. Parents and families were allowed to escort their students into their classrooms, as some wiped away happy tears making their way back to their vehicles in the parking lot. 

The students will now begin their academic journeys, hopefully culminating in them hopefully graduating from high school in the year 2038. 

The students are also members of Generation Alpha, which includes children born between 2010 and 2024. Most of the students have millennial parents, who were children born between 1981 and 1996. 

Generation Alpha has never known a world without the internet and advanced technologies, such as cell phones and tablets. This means when the students enter the workforce, they’ll be able to comprehend and use technological advancements that will help improve the Community and society around us. 

In around 4,650+ days, or roughly 12 years and 9 months, the students will hopefully graduate from high school and venture out into the world, whether it be attending college, enlisting in the military or joining the workforce. 

Whatever the students decide to do, it is apparent that the SRPMIC will unequivocally support and provide them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed.