A GRAND Opening

You' feel transported into a storybook when you walk the halls of the Early Head Start program at the Jefferson Learning Center in Sherman ISD. Hand-painted murals of famous children’s books line the walls, and classrooms are filled with colorful, yet tiny, chairs and lots of soft and inviting furniture and spaces for children to learn and grow. From the cribs placed in neat rows, to the itty-bitty toilets in the restrooms, it’s clear that this space has been thoughtfully designed for the District’s youngest learners.

The current Jefferson campus has been home to students of all ages, since it opened in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression. It is famous for being the first public school in Texas that served hot meals - the teachers prepared the stews and soups, and children would come to school with bowls, spoons, and healthy appetites. It was also home to some notable Texas educators and school administrators including Ela Hockaday, who founded the Hockaday School in Dallas, and Linus Wright, who went on to serve as the superintendent of Dallas ISD and as the undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Education during the President Reagan administration.

Sherman ISD recently renovated the annex portion of the Jefferson Learning Center to house the Early Head Start program, which serves children from birth to three years old. The Early Head Start (EHS) program at the Jefferson Learning Center is one of three EHS programs operated by Region 10 ESC, all of which provide services in education, health, social services, nutrition, mental health, and parent involvement. In addition to the Early Head Start program, the Jefferson Learning Center also serves high school students, including those who are teen moms or pregnant teens, through a self-paced, accelerated program.

“Sherman ISD has been a partner with the Region 10 Early Head Start/Head Start (EHS/HS) program for more than 25 years, and their commitment to families, children and community is evident from the first day a family enrolls their child in EHS until graduation and beyond,” shared Kelly Skwarek, Region 10 EHS/HS Director. “There is nothing more exciting than to see a child learn and grow from the first day of school to the last day while at the same time seeing parents engaging with their children to extend the learning at home. This partnership is a shining example of surrounding families with love and support, so these students become tomorrow’s leaders.”

MELINA DELGADO

“Walking through the halls during the grand opening was a bittersweet moment for me because I went to Jefferson during my Pre-K years, and now my six months old and two and a half year old are in school there. As a single mom with two little ones, the Early Head Start program at the Jefferson Learning Center is a huge help. The staff are so friendly and willing to support us in any way they can. I am really grateful for the staff and the program.”

JIM MAY

“The Jefferson Learning Center is a fantastic campus because my teen parents have a place for their children while they are working to complete school. It’s not just a place for their child to be during the day, it’s high quality, education-based child care. When teen parents don’t have easy access to child care, they often have a hard time getting to school. The opportunity to have the parent and child together is monumental - it simplifies the process and makes life easier on the teen parents, who are dealing with enough stressors in their life. Anything we can do to make it easier for the parent improves their life and the life of their child.”

NANCY JUNG

“The Early Head Start students are at the very beginnings of building relationships and their educational journey. The educators who serve those students are providing support, not only to the little ones, but also to their families, and that is so important. Then, when those students move from the Early Head Start program into our Head Start program, their parents have a jump start on knowing what to expect. They come to us having already learned how to engage with their child’s teacher and strategies to be involved in their student’s learning.”