Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • October 2020 Director’s Corner
Students back in Head Start classrooms
Hello and welcome back Head Start families! The start of school has begun and a new program year is upon us. We have been planning for this day since the start of the COVID virus in March. Families who have a child/ren enrolled in the classroom, have experienced the “dropping off” and “picking up” procedures. The curbside system seems to work, and we thank all of our families for your patience as we endeavor to keep everyone safe.
The current environment has been • Listen to the leaves starting to fall very challenging for us all. It has and thrash around in the wind. tried to put a “dent” in our emotional • Feel the difference in the weather well-being. Every one of us would and the air turning cool. like to get back to “normal” living again but, until then, make the most • Taste the foods of fall in an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. out of “living” right now. There are good things happening • Smell the soups, pies, and all fall food. all around us too! It sounds cliché
It certainly is not the way we would like the beginning of school to start. We would much rather see many, many more children’s faces working in the classrooms. We are continuing to monitor and follow all state and federal advisements, as this will help us make decisions in We are all in this together! Stay but “take time to smell the roses” or the next several months. in this case “fall season!” Consider well, and keep positive! Our virtual learning launched in doing this exercise with your family, mid-September and we encourage to remain positive and feel uplifted: you to participate so that your child Enjoy the changing of the season will remain active and engaged using your five senses. Take time to: in learning. We will continue to Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. provide updates on any changes in • See the color changing before Head Start Director the program. your eyes.
Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009
EHS Serves Pregnant Women
Early Head Start has the privilege of experiencing the growth of baby and family from prenatal to birth with its service to pregnant women. Home visitors from LCCAA Early Head Start provide information and education to women and their partners on many topics, including: fetal development; proper nutrition; the risks of alcohol, drugs and smoking; labor and delivery; postpartum depression; and the benefits of breastfeeding. LCCAA uses the Growing Great Kids/Growing Great Families curriculum to support our Early Head Start families. GGK is an attachment focused curriculum which provides families with a recipe for raising a child who feels safe, secure, loved and curious. The six ingredients for this recipe come in the form of the Daily Dude, which - when implemented by the pregnant mom each day - will begin the attachment process between mother and child even before birth (Brain Builders, Character Buildings, Play and Learning, Body Builders, Two-Way Talk, Steps to Success). Pregnant women receive weekly visits (currently virtual) including abundant materials and resources. They are connected to medical and dental practices when needed to ensure they receive their prenatal visits as well as dental care during the pregnancy. Home visitors also provide referrals to other community agencies when needed to help moms obtain necessary items such as cribs and car seats. In some cases, the home visitor is the only support that the pregnant woman has in her life. Home visitors have served as interpreters, been at the hospital during the birth and even in a few circumstances have cut the umbilical cord! Once the baby is born the family receives a newborn visit from LCCAA’s contracted nurse, who does a thorough health check of the baby and completes the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with the mom. The home visitor and the nurse will then complete any necessary referrals. The home visitor can also assist the family in transitioning their child into the Early Head Start program. In many cases, children are served from before they are born all the way to kindergarten, because Head Start Works!
Check Your Email!
In order to reduce paperwork and limit face-to-face contact as we continue to battle COVID-19, LCCAA has shifted several systems online. The main way to share this information with our families is your new, free email address. Every Head Start student has an address that their parents can check using the free Gmail platform from Google. Your address is your child’s first name followed by @ and maillccaa.net (For Example: Billy Naragon’s email would be billy@maillccaa. net – just be careful of those ‘L’s in the middle!) All you have to do is go to www. gmail.com, enter the address and use the temporary password 12345678. This account should be checked regularly. We will use it to share forms that need your electronic signature and to communicate with you about your child. If you don’t have a computer, visit Griswold Head Start or Hopkins-Locke Head Start and use our kiosk. You will be screened for COVID symptoms when you enter our buildings. Contact your family service worker with any questions.
Book of the Month: Officer Buckle and Gloria Officer Buckle is concerned with keeping everyone safe at school. He makes safety rules and shares them with students, but is very boring until he brings his dog, Gloria, with him. This humorous book by Peggy Rathmann will help you talk to kids about safety at school and home. October is fire safety month, so make sure you talk to your kids about what to do in a fire.
Coaching Your Child Into Strong Self Care Self-care skills are the everyday tasks undertaken so children are prepared to participate in life activities (i.e. dressing, brushing teeth, using utensils for eating, simple chores, toileting, washing hands, choosing their own outfit, etc.).
Giving children a chance to practice self-care skills is a very important part of their growth and development. Investing time and effort into encouraging self-care will help your child feel capable, responsible, and independent. Compare self-care to playing sports. Children don’t master soccer drills or hitting a baseball on their first attempt. With a coach modeling and teaching those skills and providing opportunities to practice, the child will strengthen his skills over time. This same concept holds true to self-care skills. Preschoolers are capable of doing these skills, but need you as a parent to coach, model and provide opportunity to practice.
• Set up a routine and follow it every day. • Allow enough time for your child to participate in the self-care activities without feeling rushed.
Whenever your child tries something new, it’s important to focus on the journey (the method) and not • Utilize a visual schedule of the steps involved. the destination (the end result). Spills are inevitable; • Break tasks down into small steps, so they can be they are going to happen when children are practicing achievable. new skills. Helpful tips to encourage self-care skills:
• If your child is struggling with a self-care skill, Remember, early experiences last a lifetime. don’t jump in right away and do the task for them. Encouraging self-care skills in preschool children and Allow time to see if they can figure it out. If not, fostering their growth and development is a recipe for provide some coaching, support and guidance. future success.
Boost Vocabulary with These Easy Tips A healthy preschool vocabulary is important because not only does the ability to communicate his or her needs ease a child’s frustration level, but it also directly relates to school achievement. In fact, the size of a child’s vocabulary in kindergarten can predict her ability to read later on. Building your child’s vocabulary is easy! First of all, talk. Talk to your child every chance you get. Ask questions that require more than a one-word answer, such as “What was the most fun thing you Describe what you’re doing as did today?” instead of “Did you you do it, and describe his or her have fun?”
actions too. Also, use descriptive words. “I am stirring the soup with this long-handled wooden spoon.” “You picked out the striped shirt today and the red shoes with the silver buckle.” Finally, read to your child every day. Every biweekly you get from your child’s teacher will contain suggested books, as does this monthly newsletter. If you haven’t already signed up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, ask your family service worker for this wonderful way to get free books delivered to your home each month!
Screening Tools Help Staff Know Children Children need strong foundations in all areas of their lives so they can build a bright future. LCCAA Head Start uses a variety of tools and partners to affirm the steady development of your child’s physical, mental and emotional health as well as their ability to learn.
Stefanie Drew.
The results of most screenings will be shared during October homevisits - which will be conducted virtually this year. Many factors influence a child’s learning and development: temperament, personality, learning style, culture, health and life experiences. All the screenings are designed to provide a full-picture of each child so support can be offered where it is needed, Bartlebaugh said.
“Screenings help teachers and parents know the children better,” said Education and Disabilities Specialist Jennifer Bartlebaugh. “Referrals shouldn’t worry or frighten parents. They just mean a “All children deserve the best little extra support will be provided possible start in life,” Drew added. two years because they are growing to maintain progress.” so rapidly,” said Family Health and “Working together, we will make Within the first 45 days of Community Services Specialist sure each child’s needs are met.” enrollment, two major screenings are conducted by teachers and staff. The Ages & Stages and Devereux Virtually enrolled families still receive needed support from Head Early Childhood assessments look Start staff for their child’s learning and development. at communication, fine motor, gross The extensive Ages & Stages and DECA questionnaires are being motor, problem-solving, initiative, completed by email and Zoom. relationships and self-regulation. Physical health is also addressed The physical health screenings cannot be offered in homes, but staff with screenings of height and weight, can help by sharing what assessments are needed for your child. Wellhearing, vision, lead exposure and checks are recommended with a pediatrician. hemoglobin. These screenings are Babies should be seen at least eight times before their first birthday. conducted at our centers by our Well checks are also recommended at 15, 18, 24 and 30 months. The Family Service Workers along with Centers for Disease Control and Ohio Healthy Start provide guidance several area partners. on screenings and exams every child should receive as well as a “Babies and children need to have vaccination schedule. regular checkups during their first
What About Virtual Students?
Partners Make Screenings Work You’re Invited!
Parents are invited to join Head The following local partners make it possible for LCCAA Head Start to Start family service workers for provide excellent health and nutrition services. a training on Domestic Violence • Prevent Blindness: vision screening training and equipment. Awareness. • Pisanick Partners: allergies and menu development. The virtual training is set for Oct. • Ohio Business College: Medical Assisting students. 12 at 9 a.m. and will be conducted • Lorain County Public Health: newborn visits, lab work. by Virginia Beckman, executive • Case Western Reserve University director of Safe Harbor/Genesis Dental School: dental exams. House. • Ohio Guidestone: mental health screening and support A ClassTag invitation will be sent to access this event.
Zoom Tips Making Connections in for Parents COVID Environment
The video meeting platform Zoom has skyrocketed in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. LCCAA Head Start is using Zoom to hold parent and committee meetings as well as virtual home visits with our families. Here’s what you need to know:
We have all come to realize the importance of social distancing, but we cannot forget the importance of parent and staff connections. The usual daily chats at the beginning and the end of the day have changed for all, but connecting with each other can still occur.
Paperwork: Share with staff any 1. It’s free. You don’t have to pay to access a meeting you’re invited forms, notes, or updates that are in to. While there are free account the child’s folders. options, they aren’t necessary for Reminders: Inform staff of the the events LCCAA is holding. need for early release, absences, and 2. It’s mobile. Zoom can be used appointments. on your desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet or smart phone. The app you need to download is also free. If your device doesn’t have a camera, there are options to just join the meeting by phone. You will only have access to the audio.
ClassTag: Communicate with teachers, family service workers, and home visitors as often as you wish. Request information, resources, and share your child’s learning achievements.
Curbside pickup gives teachers like Delilah Jones at HopkinsLocke great opportunities to chat one-on-one with parents. Making connections is still possible in Prepare your child for the the COVID-19 environment. For 3. It’s safe. Zoombombing made day: Encouragement and simple longer talks, parents can park. headlines early in the pandemic reminders help with transitions. Service Worker or a supervisor. when uninvited guests crashed Create a ritual: A special hug, Teachers will be busy supervising some meetings. LCCAA avoids handshake, greeting, or saying can students to and from the classroom. this concern by creating a unique help celebrate the day. Celebrate: share your successes! meeting ID and password for each Park: For any immediate Let us acknowledge you and your event. questions or concerns, please pull family’s achievements in the Head up to a designated parking spot and Start Newsletter. ask to speak to your child’s Family We are all in this together! Head Start students will participate in first Virtual Great LCCAA Head Start students will participate in the 15th Annual Read Apple Crunch at for the Record event scheduled for Oct. 22 (a week earlier than the global noon Oct. 8. event). The Crunch promotes healthy Organized by Jumpstart for Young Children, the event raises awareness eating and supports farmers. Register at https://go.wisc.edu/ about the importance of building early literacy skills in every child so all are prepared for kindergarten. r009w6. This year’s book is Evelyn Del Ray Moves Away by Meg Medina. Then tune in to the Ohio Farm
Crunch on Oct. 8
Read for the Record Event Oct. 22
Head Start students regularly participate in Read for the Record. The to School Facebook page to learn about apples, apple trees and crunch event also includes activities related to the story. Learn more at Jumpstart’s website: jstart.org/readfortherecord with the community!
CARES Programs Continue at LCCAA Special programs for those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis continue at Lorain County Community Action Agency. Funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) has enhanced some programs and allowed LCCAA to create new programs. Eviction Prevention If you have been unable to pay your rent because of COVID-19, contact our partner Lorain County Urban League. This program will help protect your rights and negotiate with your landlord.
Operation Warm You must have a written lease and your rent must For six years, LCCAA has partnered with Lorain have been current before the pandemic. Rent assistance Metropolitan Housing Authority to distribute free coats may be part of the process. to children living in their complexes. With CARES Contact the Urban League at 440-323-3364 or funding, this program has expanded. outreach@lcul.org. In addition to LMHA residents and our center-based Water Bill Assistance Head Start families, we will be providing coats for all LCCAA’s utility advocates are applying the same virtual and home-based LCCAA Head Start students great service they do for gas and electric bills to your and residents of the TimberLakes complex (Section 8 water company thanks to CARES funding. subsidized housing) in Avon. If you are unable to pay your water bill because of CARES funding, regular Community Services Block COVID-19, call our 24-hour appointment line at 440- Grant funds and grants from the Community Foundation 538-6999. of Lorain County and The Lorain Foundation have If you are already on PIPP or have received help from provided more than 2,000 coats to distribute. the Summer Crisis or Winter Crisis programs, you Head Start families should have received a form to MIGHT be eligible. You still have to apply, however. select their child’s size. Selecting the next size up is Appointments can also be made online at: app. recommended. All pick-ups will be contactless and capappointments.com/ exchanges will not be allowed due to COVID-19.
Winter Crisis Program Begins November 2 Winter heating assistance for residents who need help paying for heat or who have had their heat turned off will be available beginning Nov. 2 through March 31, 2020. To be eligible for help, residents must live at or below 175% of the federal poverty level.
urged to call the HEAP hotline at 440-538-6999 or go online to app. capappointments.com to make an appointment. Residents trying to restore, reconnect and or transfer services also qualify for the program.
submitted in three different ways. There is a secure dropbox at 936 Broadway Ave., Lorain with instructions. Documents can also be faxed to 440-201-6483 or emailed to heapdocs@lccaa.net.
Additional details on the program Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all will be released in mid-October. Residents who have received a appointments will be contactless. The appointments can be made disconnection notice are especially Required documents can be beginning Oct. 19.
Follow LCCAA on Facebook for the very latest news!
LCCAA Head Start Menu for October 2020 Monday 5
B L
No School
S 12
B L
No School
S 19
B L
No School
S B
Wednesday
Tuesday 6
WG Banana Bread & Locally Grown Apple
Thursday 7
Mini Wheats & Seasonal Melon
Friday 8
WG Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Applesauce
Cheeseburger with choice to add pickle chips, ketchup; baked beans; apricots
WG Lasagna Roll-Up, Green Beans, Clementine
Beef & Veg w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Diced Peaches, WG Garlic Toast
WG Graham Crackers & Juice
Diced Pear Cup, WG Granola Bar
Local Apple, WG Pretzels
13
WG Blueberry Waffle, Applesauce
Berry Patch Smoothie, Annie’s Bunny Grahams
14
WG Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Diced Peaches
9 No School
15
Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait
16
Meatball Sub, Assorted Raw Veggies w/Ranch Dip, Diced Pears
BBQ Glazed Chicken Drumstick, Carrots & Green Beans, WG Italian-Seasoned Pierogies, Tropical Fruit Salad
WG Homemade Mac & Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Sweet Mango
Orange Chicken Stir Fry, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veg, Seasonal Melon
Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange
WG Flatbread Round WOWBUTTER® and Jelly
Assorted Raw Veg, Ranch Dip & Cheese Stick
Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers
20
21
22
Mini Wheats & Seasonal Melon
WG Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Applesauce
Beef Nachos topped with choice of Black Beans, Salsa, Cheese; Clementine
BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Cole Slaw, Mandarin Oranges
WG Pepperoni Pizza, Tossed Salad with choice to add cheese, croutons, dressing; Tropical Fruit
Sloppy Joe Maple Cinnamon Carrots Diced Pears
WG Graham Crackers & Juice
Diced Pear Cup, WG Granola Bar
Local Apple, WG Pretzels
TRY DAY! Plum WG Goldfish Crackers
WG Banana Bread & Local Apple
26
L
27
28
Yogurt, Peach & Granola Parfait
29
23
30
No School Fall Break
S Milk is served daily at breakfast and lunch. Children less than 2 years old are served whole milk. When a specific food allergy is identified, appropriate food substitutions will be provided. Menu items are subject to change due to food availability or unplanned school closings. Menus are reveiwed and approved by M. Robison, MPH, RD, LD. Equal Opportunity Provider.
Try Days are Back! Try Day is back this year! But it will be a little different. Since we cannot have parents in our lobbies because of new safety protocols, we will be sending materials home. Center-based students will still have classroom time to explore the new foods. Snack packs, menu ideas and other materials will be sent home to include parents in the experience. Plums will be sent home in snack packs on Friday, Oct. 23. Parents are encouraged to share photos of their “at home try day” on Class Tag.
Meal Breakfast (Portions & Servings)
Food Components
Ages 1-2
Ages 3-5
Fluid Milk
1/2 cup
3/4 cup
Fruit or Vegetable
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup
1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup
Breads, Cold Cereal, Granola Fluid Milk
Lunch (Portions & Servings)
Meat or Cheese Cooked/Dry Beans/Peas
3/4 cup
1 oz.
1 1/2 oz.
1/4 cup
3/8 cup
2T
3T
1/2 oz.
3/4 oz.
1/2 cup 1/8 cup each
3/4 cup 1/4 cup each
1/2 serving, 1/4 cup
1/2 serving, 1/4 cup
Fluid Milk
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
Vegetable
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
Fruit
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
Meat or Cheese
1/2 oz.
1/2 oz.
Cooked/Dry Beans/Peas
1/8 cup
1/8 cup
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt Vegetables and Fruits (1 each) Breads/Grains, Pasta
Snack (Portions & Servings) Must Select Two Different Protein Components
1/2 cup
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt Breads/Grains, Pasta
1T
1T
1/2 oz.
1/2 oz.
1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup
1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup
Upcoming Events at LCCAA Head Start Cascade Head Start *Oct. 8: Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 22: Picture Day Oct. 26-30: Fall Break
Firelands Head Start Oct. 2: Dental Screenings *Oct. 8: Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits Oct. 16: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 26-30: Fall Break
Griswold Head Start *Oct. 8; Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Safety Advisory Committee, 8:30 a.m. *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits *Oct. 14: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. Oct. 15: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 26-30: Fall Break Home-Based Head Start Socializations are all virtual. Early Head Start will meet at 10 a.m. on Oct. 2 and 16. Head Start will meet at 10 a.m. on Oct. 23.
Hopkins-Locke Head Start Oct. 1: Dental Screenings Oct. 2: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 8: Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Safety Advisory Committee, 10 a.m. *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits *Oct. 14: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. Oct. 14: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 23: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings Oct. 26-30: Fall Break
LaGrange Head Start *Oct. 8: Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits Oct. 15: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 26-30: Fall Break
Wellington Head Start Oct. 2: Dental Screenings *Oct. 8: Great Apple Crunch, noon Oct. 9: No School *Oct. 12: Domestic Violence Awareness Training *Oct. 12 Home Visits Oct. 16: Lead/Hemoglobin Screenings *Oct. 19: Home Visits *Oct. 22: Education Advisory Committee, 9 a.m. Oct. 22: Read for the Record Oct. 26-30: Fall Break * Indicates a Virtual Activity. See Staff for Access.
