[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E444-E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING KALEIDOSCOPE OF LEARNING PRESCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable school, Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School 
of Byram, Mississippi, and the great leadership it is under.
  Patrina Robinson Dace is a native of Georgetown, Mississippi. She is 
the seventh of eighth children (four girls and four boys) born to Mr. 
L.J. and Mrs. Lula Lewis Robinson. She attended: Brushy Creek 
Headstart; Crystal Springs Elementary; Crystal Springs Junior High; and 
Crystal Springs High School. She graduated from Crystal Springs High 
School in May of 1984 with honors. Patrina participated in numerous 
activities and received numerous accolades while in high school which 
included: Student Council Reporter, Vice-President of Student Council, 
Beta Club Member, Yearbook Staff and Editor, Junior Homecoming Maid, 
Captain of the Cheerleading Team, Honor Student, and Most Beautiful.
  Patrina received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State 
University in 1991 with Magna Cum Laude. She completed a Master of 
Science in Teaching from Jackson State University in 1994 in General 
Science Education. In 2008, Patrina received her CDA from the Child 
Development Associate National Credentialing Program with endorsements 
in Infants and Toddlers and Preschool Education.
  Patrina is married to Dr. Glen W. Dace, II of Meridian, Mississippi. 
They are the proud parents of three daughters: Racolesha (30), Ramanda 
(22), Glendolyn (17); a son-in-law, Frederick; and two grandchildren: 
Kennedy and Kyler. The Dace family resides in Terry, Mississippi, and 
attends New Horizon International Church in Jackson, Mississippi. 
Patrina has served her church family for seventeen years and has been a 
deaconess for eleven years.
  Patrina's faith in Christ and desire to know Him has created a 
passion for serving others. She is active in the community and is a 
member of: Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business Owner, Byram 
Business Association, Mississippi Early Childhood Association and 
Southern Early Childhood.
  In August of 2003, Glen and Patrina opened Kaleidoscope of Learning 
Preschool and After School in Byram, Mississippi with a license 
capacity of 49. Four years later, they decided to build a new facility 
to accommodate the increasing demand for childcare in the Byram area. 
The vision was clear, but much work was still to be done. They worked 
full time professional jobs with a desire to open a new center. In June 
2007 Glen and Patrina's hard work and diligence paid off, and a brand 
new facility was built with a license capacity of 150. This business 
adventure was a major accomplishment for them.
  Prior to becoming a fulltime employee at Kaleidoscope of Learning in 
April 2008, Patrina served as Director of Environmental Microbiology 
for the Mississippi State Department of Public Health Laboratory. She 
worked as a Laboratory Technologist for 11 years and a Division 
Director for 4 years. Patina's certifications included: Laboratory 
Evaluation Officer by FDA and Laboratory Certification Officer by EPA. 
She worked fifteen years for the Mississippi Department of Health and 
eight years in the Jackson Public School System. On December 31, 2013, 
after serving 25 years in the Public Employee Retirement System of the 
State of Mississippi, she retired at the age of forty-six.
  Patrina is currently a full time owner, operator, and director at 
Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School. She provides many 
years of business development and management experience to the 
Kaleidoscope of Learning family. Patrina is responsible for overseeing 
the day-to-day operations, account management, hiring, budgeting, 
payroll, inventory, classroom management, and administrative duties.

[[Page E445]]

  Patrina is an advocate for childcare in Mississippi. She feels that 
every community should have affordable full-childcare service for any 
social or ethnic groups. Patrina's strong investment in Kaleidoscope 
initially began because she had to transport her own children from the 
suburbs to the city every day. Patrina, one day, decided that instead 
of making the families in her community drive for quality care, she 
would be the one to step up and provide it. It made good business sense 
as it also opened up many doors to be able to minister to families, by 
providing a loving, caring, and Christian environment to children, 
while their parents are away at work. Since opening in 2003, many of 
our students have shown to perform at the top of their class. The first 
children to start at Kaleidoscope are in high school now and are 
expected to graduate high school in 2019.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Kaleidoscope of Learning and After School for its dedication to serving 
our great state of Mississippi.

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