Head Start Ready or Not
by Jo Ann Buchanan
April 11, 2008
Head Start is a wonderful program that is open to children ages 3 and 4 and is also available to students with disabilities. Head Start programs offer a stimulating setting where children with disabilities can interact with typically developing preschoolers and at the same time get necessary services and supports. In fact, Head Start services are designed to address a broad range of abilities, experiences, and learning styles exhibited by all preschoolers from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Head Start programs prepare economically disadvantaged children for school by providing the early reading and math skills they will need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Local Head Start providers also work in conjunction with other service providers and government agencies to meet the educational, health, nutritional, social and other needs of enrolled children and families. Head Start programs emphasize parent involvement and work closely with families in the education of their children.
Family income is the primary eligibility requirement for
admission into a Head Start program. According to national
eligibility guidelines, at least 90 percent of the students
participating in local Head Start programs must come from families
with incomes at or below the poverty line. In addition, 10 percent
of the preschoolers enrolled must be children with
disabilities.
Our Head Start program is housed at the Primary campus and partners
with Region 20. You may also contact your Head Start provider
directly. On April 7-8 we had a good turnout at our first Head
Start Round-up.
This year’s Kindergarten roundup was a huge success. We had 31 boys and girls register for the 2008-2009 school year. Of course we know that there are still others out there that might of missed registration day so we will be scheduling another day sometime in July. Checkout the marquee for future dates.
CLASS PLACEMENT
Soon we will begin the process of organizing classes for the
2008-2009 school year. The goal of our process is well-balanced
classrooms which will meet the needs of individuals and groups of
students.
Our process is a team effort with many individuals conferring to create strong instructional groupings that work for all children. We consider individual needs and strengths, whole class needs, learning styles, academic levels, peer relations, leadership qualities, behavioral factors, and the gender and ethnic mix in each classroom and at all grade levels. It is a thorough, complex process!
It is important, however, for you to understand that requests for a specific teacher will not be considered in the decision for the 2008-2009 school year.
