Its that time of year again where we send our kids back to school and notice that our homes are a little bit quieter! Additionally, it is that time of year where we as parents get to decide how involved we want to be in our children’s education.

This is my second year as a Head Start parent, and last year I choose to become very active in my child’s education, as I hope you will decide in the upcoming weeks of this school year. There are always things that can be done here at Head Start to become involved: you can read a book in a classroom, volunteer in the Head Start office or my personal favorite, sit on either Policy Council and/or parent meetings.

I choose to sit on Policy Council and many other committees last academic school year and found it a VERY rewarding experience. These opportunities gave me knowledge about my child’s education as well as knowledge of what was going on at all the Head Starts around the community. I made friends with many of the parents and staff through these committees and found this to be a blessing.

I hope that you all can become an integral part of your child’s education in whatever capacity you choose and find it as big a blessing as I did…so here is to another academic school year, may it be great for everyone!!!!

- Amanda Joyce, Carbondale/Eurma Hayes Policy Council Representative

September Focus is Parent Leadership

We invite you to be a super-involved parent and consider serving as a parent leader who helps Head Start make decisions for your center and the program.

Elections for leadership positions will be held at the first parent meeting. Meetings dates and times are noted. Leadership training is provided, so you don’t have to be an expert to serve—just a parent of a Head Start child!

Murphysboro
Tuesday, September 9
6:00 p.m.

Marion
Thursday, September 11
6:00 p.m.

Johnston City
Monday, September 15
4:15 p.m.

Carbondale & Eurma Hayes (@ C’dale Center)
Thursday, September 18
6:00 p.m.

Malone’s & Logan Preschool Co-Locations
To be determined

Parent Leadership Opportunities

Parent Committee Chairperson

• Preside at all meetings of the parent committee
• Appoint committees and committee chairs
• Serve on committees
• Call special meetings of the parent committee if needed
• Act as official spokesperson of the parent committee
• Work closely with Policy Council Representative(s)

Parent Committee Vice-Chairperson

• Act as chairperson in case of absence
• Assist the chairperson as needed and perform other duties as assigned

Parent Committee Secretary

• Write down and read what happens at the parent meetings.

Policy Council Representatives

Responsibilities of the elected Representatives:

• Attend Policy Council meetings regularly (held monthly throughout the year in Carbondale).
• Attend Parent Committee meetings regularly to serve as a link between Policy Council, parents and the community.
• Assist parents in understanding Head Start, including parent rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
• Encourage parent participation.
• Assist parents in planning, coordinating and organizing program/parent activities.
• Help recruit volunteer services from parents, community residents and community organizations and mobilize community resources to meet family needs.
• Seek to understand the issues discussed, participate in discussions and help the group reach decisions
• Focus on the good for the overall program, not personalities, individual power or the day-to-day operations of the program.

An important Head Start staff person is your Family/ Community Service Worker (Community Worker). Every family at Head Start has a Community Worker.

Your Worker is a person who can assist you in finding community resources and will work with you to set and achieve goals that benefit your family.

Goals set by families with workers are written down on Family Partnership Agreements and can include things such as:

• Scheduling time for family activities
• Obtaining a GED or starting college
• Improving work skills to find a different job
• Keeping your child well with health/dental follow-up
• Finding a new place to live

Your Community Worker is a “do it all” kind of person! Don’t hesitate to ask for her to work with you and your family on whatever you need.
She will be contacting you soon to schedule a home visit.

Head Start is required to provide developmental screenings to all children as they enter the program.
Screenings will take place for all new children whose parents have given permission during the enrollment process.

Screenings will be completed in the areas of speech/language, development, and social/emotional development. These screenings are completed by teachers in the classroom and are approached with children as being “game like”.

Screenings provide teachers with knowledge of where each child is functioning, his/her strengths and areas for improvement.

If there is a concern about the result of a screening, the concern will be evaluated by Head Start staff. With the parent’s input and permission along with Head Start’s child observations a referral for additional services could be made. Results of screenings will be kept confidential and shared with parents.

Contact your Center Director or your child’s teacher if you have any questions about screenings.

Completing the Head Start health requirements might have been a difficult process. An up-to-date physical and immunization record seem reasonable to most parents, but why does a preschool child need a blood lead test and results on record with Head Start?

Children’s brains are still growing and high levels of lead in the blood can cause brain damage. Conditions that can be a result of lead poisoning include learning and mental disorders.

Another blood test required by Head Start is the hemoglobin test. Typically a low hemoglobin level is caused by a lack of iron and leads to a condition known as anemia.

Anemia usually “takes away” a child’s energy making it difficult for the child to participate in learning activities! Anemia is easily treatable through nutrition and/or nutritional supplements.

September

Program Focus

• Parent Meetings & Elections
• Family Involvement Activities
• Health Follow-Up
• Hearing & Vision Screenings
• Community Worker Home Visits

Head Start Job Openings

We are looking for:

• School Bus Drivers (Marion)
• Bus Monitors
• Substitute Teachers

Contact your Center Director or call 453-6448 for more information.

Mark Your Calendar

September Family Involvement Month Activities:

September 9 - Parents' Day

September 18 - Mother/Mother-Figure Day

September 23 - Father/Father-Figure Day

September 30 - Grandparent/Senior Day

It is often hard for a parent or other loved one to leave a young child who cries and clings. The child is experiencing separation anxiety. Children may not understand when loved ones will be back. Here are some things to remember about separation anxiety.

A little separation anxiety is normal. Your child’s behavior can actually be a positive sign that shows he has formed attachments to loved ones.

Anxiety tends to follow a predictable pattern. In preschool children, it can be a response to change (like starting at Head Start)

You can help make partings easier for your child. Stay with her until she becomes familiar with a new place or person & never sneak away without telling her at all.

Tell her calmly you know she doesn’t want you to leave.

Reassure her you will be back.

Tell her what time she will see you again, even if she can’t tell time. Be sure to keep your word.

Avoid leaving your child when she is hungry, tired or sick.

Never tease or scold her for her upset feelings & don’t bribe her not to cry.

Your stress level can contribute to separation anxiety. Your guilt about leaving may add to your child’s distress. Remember, some time spent apart can be good for you both.

Adapted from the Illinois Early Learning Project Tip Sheet. Visit http://illinoisearlylearning.org for additional information

SIUC Head Start Health has two staff persons certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health to make sure that enrolled children do not have vision or hearing problems.

During September, vision and hearing screenings will take place and the results of these screenings shared with parents.

Some signs of vision problems are:

• Squinting, closing or covering one eye
• Holds materials in unusual positions when looking at them
• Blinking or rubbing eyes continually
• Tilts head or covers one eye during critical seeing

Some signs of hearing problems:

• Turning one ear towards person who is talking
• Fails to respond, or responds slowly, to questions
• Watches your face carefully when you are talking
• Pulling, rubbing or scratching of/at the ears
• Abnormal speech development

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or hearing, let your Center Director know about them.

We need your support!

Due to concerns with childhood obesity, food allergies, and federal nutrition guidelines treats brought into classrooms must be nutritious, pre-packaged, in the original container, and unopened (i.e. muffins, dried fruit, raisins, popcorn, snack crackers, graham crackers)

Treats provided to SIUC Head Start children must receive prior approval from the Center Director. Parents must submit a note three (3) days in advance that names the treat and the date to be served. If no prior approval is received the snack will be sent home.

As always we thank you for continued support. We encourage you to think of ways to celebrate without food. Here are some ideas:

• Bring party plates, napkins, cups, or hats (balloons are not allowed)
• Send special stickers or pencils
• Volunteer in the classroom and help with activities for the day
• Donate a book or children’s CD to the classroom
• Select games or activities that reinforce the monthly themes
• Give children special privileges such as being the line leader for the day or let them choose the menu for the family meal