Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • Jan. 2022 Director’s Corner
New Year Begins with Two Virtual Weeks Happy New Year Head Start Parents! We have ushered in 2022, which means new beginnings. However you spent this holiday season, we hope it brought peace, love and joy to your family. As we continue to manage the pandemic, it is our hope as each day and month goes by, that things will get better and better. However, it appears our “new normal” will continue for a while. We made the difficult decision to keep our centers closed to students for three additional weeks after winter break. The week of January 3 saw staff training and the beginnings of extensive sanitizing. The weeks of January 10 and 17 will include virtual instruction for all students. As you know, many businesses and organizations continue to struggle nationwide with workforce issues and we are no exception. Since the beginning of the school year in September, we have struggled to open classrooms and keep them open due to lack of staff. Unlike our area school districts, we are required to meet a variety of both federal and state standards. Among those are rules about the ratio of children to teacher as well as specific requirements for teacher credentials. We want to get back to normal but we have to make it safe for everyone and we must comply with the rules that come with our federal funding, some of which are the subject of court battles we are following. We are trying to meet families’ needs and we understand it’s tough for you too. Our family service workers will do everything they can to help you find alternative solutions for those who need daycare in order to work. Meanwhile, we hope you will take advantage of the virtual instruction provided through ClassTag.
Offerings on and off the platform will include: X Recordings of teachers reading stories, conducting lessons and more; X Ready Rosie; X Ignite by Hatch to continue their child’s learning experiences; X Program enhancements such as Viva Spanish, Kindermusik and Tae Kwon Do. Our nutrition staff will also be providing meals which will be distributed Jan. 18. If you need additional help with meals, technology or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact your teacher, family service worker or home visitor. Also, don’t forget that we have already planned to extend our school year into the second week of June this year. This will particularly help our students who are preparing for kindergarten this fall. I so appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to navigate these issues. We want to thank you again, for choosing Head Start during these difficult times. We look forward to welcoming your children in person during the week of January 24.
Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009
Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. Head Start Director
Handwriting Curriculum Being Added Did you know there is a sequence in how handwriting should be taught? LCCAA Head Start teachers received training in Handwriting without Tears to help students build essential skills for emergent writing and handwriting success. Teachers will use a variety of materials in the classroom to implement the curriculum and work on letter formation and handwriting. Students will use Playdoh and wood cut-out pieces to form letters, chalk and chalkboards, as well as write and wipe boards. Children gradually develop the ability to copy or form letters in a predictable order. At age three they are able to start making vertical and horizontal lines. By four years old they are able to add curves and by age six able to do more complex writing with adding diagonals. Here are some helpful tips for parents on how to work on handwriting at home: First work on letters that have vertical & horizontal lines (Examples - L F E H). Then work on circular letters (Examples - U C O Q G S J D P B R). Lastly work on letters with diagonals (Examples - K A M N V W X Y Z). When working on letters you will first focus on formation of uppercase letters and then move to lowercase letters. to write (Please see picture for proper hand grasp). When we can build that school to home connection, it Make sure your child has proper hand grip when starting enhances your child’s education experience. Together by starting writing skills at a young age, we can build a strong foundation, prevent bad habits and set your child up for future school success. Always start letter formation at the top.
Up to 3-years-old
Up to 4-years-old
Up to 6-years-old
Handwriting without Tears is a program of Learning without Tears. Learn more on their website at www. lwtears.com.
Book of the Month: Penguins, Penguins Everywhere! When the weather is cold and icy, that is a natural time to talk about polar animals.
Penguins, Penguins Everywhere! by Bob Barner is a great book they will enjoy looking at that is also filled with facts about penguins. Children love to learn about penguins because they are silly, but they are also fascinated by the idea of a bird that swims. Just having conversations like this with your child is teaching them about the world around them as well as science concepts, such as habitat.
Loose Parts Amazing Tools for Learning Loose parts are a wonderful way to stimulate your child’s imagination. The endless ways to use the materials will keep your child busy for hours! Like the open-ended toys LCCAA Head Start recommends for gifts, loose parts can be played with in a wide variety of ways. Loose parts are the ultimate open-ended toy because they can be found in the home and in nature, which is good news for your wallet. Our curriculum, Creative Curriculum, encourages the use of loose parts such as stones, keys, bottle caps and other found objects that are interesting to
children. The parts can be used to sort, count, build or even in art collages.
LCCAA Head Start teachers received training at the beginning of the month from Lisa Daly who has written several books on using loose parts. These activities easily extend to the home environment. To stimulate your child’s creativity, take a basket around your home or outdoors to create a collection of things that are interesting to him or her. Let your child lead you, only prohibiting items that are too small (choking hazard) or unsafe in other ways.
in every part of the house and can be as big as a blanket or as small as a cupcake liner. After you have gathered a variety of items, the next thing you need is time. Allow your Loose parts can be found child the time to explore,
experiment with and find ways to use the gathered materials. Ask your child’s teacher for ideas on how to use loose parts. You can also look for Daly’s books at your local library.
JVS Students Donate Shoeboxes to Head Start Lorain County JVS juniors in the Early Childhood Education program gave back this holiday season by providing Head Start students with a Shoebox Christmas. The students worked with their Lorain County JVS preschoolers, helping them pick a theme for their shoebox, wrapping it in paper and decorating it to match the theme. “The preschoolers take the box home and with their parents’ help, they fill it with things that little girls and boys might need like toothbrushes and socks, and then some little toys and fun things too,” explained Grayson Gifford, a JVS junior from the Firelands district. “This project is our way of giving back to the community.”
The shoeboxes and gifts were given to families at LCCAA Head Start sites in Wellington, LaGrange and Firelands. “Hilary and I have been working together for years,” said LCCAA Head Start Education and Disabilities Specialist Jennifer Bartlebaugh. “We love and value our partnership with Lorain County JVS and it’s a great way for students to get handson job experience.” JVS Preschooler, Quinn Mitcheff, is four years old and was excited to talk about her shoebox. “I made a “I’m so happy that my students unicorn box for a very special friend can do this community service I don’t know! My box is pink, and project,” said Hilary Duffala, Early I put unicorns on it and put unicorn Childhood Education instructor. stuff in it!”
COVID Numbers Continue at High Levels COVID-19 numbers continue to spike and vaccines for Head Start aged children are still in development.
X Explain but keep it simple. “We have to wear a mask to keep our coughs and sneezes in while we are at school.”
LCCAA continues to take every precaution to protect both students and staff. Throughout the pandemic, guidance, protocols and requirements have changed along with conditions and the development of new tools. LCCAA’s Head Start program remains responsive to these changes.
X Introduce masking through play. “Let’s play grocery store. We have to get our mask and bag.”
X Frame the mask as a big kid thing. There’s nothing little kids but not required. Parents may send like better than being treated their children to school with masks like big kids. if they wish. If you need masks for X Offer choices where possible. yourself or your children, contact Just as you would allow them Masking is still being advised. Staff your family service worker. to choose between two shirts, members will continue to wear If you want or need your child to allow them to choose between masks in the classroom. wear a mask, here are some helpful two masks. tips: For children, masking is encouraged
Central Kitchen Moving Help for Water Bills
Available This Month
LCCAA Head Start’s central kitchen provides 78,000 meals annually to families throughout the program. The Health LIH-WAP, the Low-Income and Nutrition staff will relocate the kitchen this spring. Household Water Assistance After 12 years of a warm relationship with the Lorain Program will provide help to Metropolitan Housing Authority community at Kennedy income eligible Lorain County Plaza, the kitchen will move to 203 W. 8th St. also in residents. downtown Lorain. Households must be living at The new facility will be in a former Campana’s Pizza and or below 175% of the Federal will meet the program’s needs for at least the next ten years. Poverty Level. The building also includes dedicated parking, office space Administered by the Ohio for staff and plenty of room to expand Head Start’s Nutrition Department of Development, LIHWAP requires a Service. separate application with payments directly to the water
“I am excited about the potential for this space and our provider. team,” said Melinda Gray, Food Service Manager for the Appointments will be required for this emergency LCCAA Head Start program. assistance and will be conducted over the phone. Appointments will be opened on our website later this month. Clients will need to provide copies of the following documents to receive benefits, which will be paid directly to their water and/or wastewater company: X Copies of their most recent water/wastewater bills; X A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member; X Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members; X Proof of disability (if applicable).
Guidestone Offering Parenting Tools Series Ohio Guidestone will offer a Toolbox Series for Parents beginning this month.
Winterfest Celebrated Individual Head Start classrooms enjoyed a variety of activities to mark the holiday season. Parents can see what their child’s classroom did by logging in to ClassTag. Above, Wellington students sing “Five Little Snowmen.” Below, Griswold students perform. Far below, Cascade students recorded their presentation and posted it on ClassTag.
This four-part series offers tools to deal with challenging behaviors and to create a compassionate learning environment both at home and at school. It’s presented by Donna Jezewski, M.Ed., LSW who is both a therapist and mental health consultant for LCCAA Head Start. The series will be held by Zoom and recorded for parents who have scheduling conflicts. All participants will receive a free “Sophie” book. All sessions will be held a 12:30 p.m. The first session will discuss skills of composure and assertiveness on Thursday, Jan. 20. On Thursday, Feb. 17, the skills of encouragement and choices will be discussed. On Thursday, March 17, the discussion will be about the skills of empathy and positive intent. Finally, the skill of consequence will be discussed on Thursday, April 14. For log in credentials, check ClassTag or speak to your teacher, family service worker or home visitor.
Join Us for Book Club
Head Start invites you to a Virtual Family Book Club January 24. Copies of the bilingual book Love You, Hug You, Read to You will be made available to families. Come prepared to discuss what you thought about the book and tips that you have learned to get your child engaged with the book. We will share some Read Aloud tips and ways to reflect on the story to extend the fun.
Disconnect Notice? Make an Appointment ASAP LCCAA’s Winter Crisis Program will help you if your primary heating source is disconnected, a disconnection notice has been received, or you have less than a 10day supply of bulk fuel.
limits how much the utility can charge you to restore your service.
Appointments for Winter Crisis can only be made online and only for these emergency situations. Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, all appointments will be conducted for your appointment. If you miss or reschedule your appointment, the over the phone. hold is removed and you may lose If you receive a disconnect notice service. during the crisis period, make an appointment right away. If you make Winter Crisis will operate through an appointment at least 48 hours March 31, 2022. before your scheduled disconnection If you are already disconnected, AND you enter your utility account you can also receive help through number, the utility will put a hold on the program along with the state’s the disconnect while you are waiting Winter Reconnect Order which
You do not need an appointment to apply for the annual HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) benefit or to reverify your income for PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan). Apply for these programs online at energyhelp.ohio.gov. Allow at least 8 weeks. For more details on all these programs, please visit www.lccaa. net/programs/energyservices Some regulated utility companies also offer Fuel Fund programs. Those usually begin in January. Watch our Facebook page, ClassTag and website for announcements.
Rent Help Available with New Partners Help is available for renters and homeowners in Lorain County to avoid eviction and foreclosure.
Rent assistance is available and can be paid as far back as March 2020. Residents must live at or below 80% of the Area Median Income ($60,800 for a family of four). LCCAA will also be working directly with eviction courts to serve high risk populations.
In 2022, LCCAA will add partnerships with Lorain numbers. Any application with a pending eviction will County Urban League and El Centro des Services be given priority processing and a dedicated contact for magistrates. Sociales to better serve vulnerable communities. Using the latest round of funding, LCCAA will create Applications must be made online at www.lccaa.net. an updated application that records eviction case No phone calls are being accepted.
LCCAA Participating in Target Circle Program Target shoppers have an opportunity to give back to LCCAA this year if they participate in the Target Circle loyalty program. One of the benefits of signing up for the loyalty program is the opportunity to vote for how Target distributes its quarterly community giving dollars. Every eligible
purchase equals one vote.
to earn votes. Shoppers should Target Circle is free to join and scan their Circle bar code when shoppers can sign up at target.com/ purchasing or they can enter receipts circle. Purchases in store, online or online within seven days. through the Target app are eligible LCCAA is one of the charities shoppers will be able to vote for during the first quarter of 2022. Voting opens Jan. 1 and closes March 31.
LCCAA Head Start Menu for January 2022 Monday 10
B
Wednesday
Tuesday
Thursday
11
12
Friday 14
13
Virtual Instruction This Week. Meals will be Distributed Jan. 18.
L S 17
B
18
19
21
20
Virtual Instruction This Week. Meals will be Distributed Jan. 18.
L S
25
27
B
WG Rice Chex Pineapple Tidbits
24
WG Blueberry Snack ‘n Waffle, Apple Slices
L
Egg Omelet, Maple Sweet Potatoes, Croissant, Baked Cinnamon Apples
Meatbull Sub, Assorted Veggies a/Ranch Dip, Diced Pears
BBQ Chicken Drumstick, Carrots & Green Beans, WG Cornbread, Tropical Fruit
WC Mac-n-Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Sweet Mango Chunks
Orange Chicken, Brown Rice Stir Fry Veggies Seasonal Melon
S
Turkey Stick WG Saltines
Danimal® Yogurt Fresh Orange
WG Flatbread Round, WOWButter® & Jelly
Local Apple WG Pretzel Bag
Banana WG Goldfish Crackers
B
WG Cheerios Cereal Pineapple Tidbits
WG Mini Wheats Seasonal Melon
L
Veggie Chili with Cheese WG Cornbread Apricots
S
Mango Peach Applesauce WG Cheez Its
WG Banana Bread 1 Apple Slices Build Your Own Nachos: WG Tortilla Chips, Seasoned Beef, Black Beans, Salsa, Shredded Cheese, Clementine WG Graham Crackers Sun Splash Veggie Juice
31
26
Berry Patch Smoothie WG Bunny Grahams
2
Teriyaki Beef Dippers, Sweer/Sour Dip, Edamame & Corn Salad, Pineapple Diced Pear Cup, WG Educational Crackers
WG Cinn Toast Crunch Diced Peaches
Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait
3
WG Strawberry Mini Bagel, Applesauce WG Wild Mike Pizza Bites, Tossed Salad w/ Toppings: Cheese, Croutons, Asst. Drsgs; Tropical Fruit Asst. Raw Veggies, Ranch Dressing, Cheese Stick
28
4
Yogurt, Peach & Granola Parfait Homemade Sloppy Joe, Maple Cinnamon Carrots, Diced Pears WG Tortilla Chips Salsa
WG = Whole Grain. Milk is served daily at breakfast & 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 reviewed & approved by M. Robison, MPH, RD, LD. Equal Opportunity Provider.
Quinoa to be Tried Feb. 2 Try Day has become a student and staff favorite in LCCAA Head Start. New foods are introduced in a variety of ways in the classroom and quinoa will be featured Feb. 2. LCCAA Head Start students will get to explore dry quinoa in class so they can feel, smell and see the food.
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
1 1/2 oz.
1/4 cup
3/8 cup 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
Yogurt Vegetables and Fruits (1 each) Breads/Grains, Pasta
Snack (Portions & Servings) Must Select Two Different Protein Components
3/4 cup
1 oz. 2T
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds
Lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 2 will include a sample of Mango Quinoa Salad. The recipe will also be shared with families.
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 *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 13: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m.
Wellington Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 19: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m.
Firelands Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 14: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m.
Early Head Start *Jan. 7: Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 21: Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m.
Griswold Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 13: Parent Meeting, 2 p.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m. Hopkins-Locke Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 19: Parent Meeting, 9 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m. LaGrange Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 19: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m. *Indicates a virtual event.
Home-Based Head Start *Jan. 10: Virtual Services Begin, Lessons will be posted on ClassTag *Jan. 14: Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Jan. 20: Toolbox Series, 12:30 p.m. *Jan. 20: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. *Jan. 24: Book Club, 11 a.m. *Jan. 27: Education Advisory Meeting, 9 a.m. *Jan. 28: Socialization, 10:30 a.m.
Parent Meetings Parent Meetings are excellent opportunities to connect with your child’s teachers and other staff as well as other Head Start parents. For now, parent meetings are being held by Zoom. For log in instructions, watch ClassTag or contact your teacher, family service worker or home visitor.
