Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • January 2024
Kindergarten Preparation Starts Now Help your child prepare for kindergarten by starting NOW! Most people don’t like surprises; they like to feel ready and prepared for a new experience. Children are the same. Help your child build confidence about starting kindergarten by giving them lots of time to practice before the big day. It is also helpful for parents to know that kindergarten teachers expect children to “do school” independently, unlike in preschool where there is always adult support. Getting your child ready for kindergarten starts with helping them develop independence. Start by giving your child lots of opportunities to practice self-help skills such as: X Bathroom independence X Putting on and zipping their own coat X Fastening buttons and snaps X Putting on shoes (tying shoelaces will come later) X Disposing of their own trash X Opening food packages Make sure your child is also developing self-regulation skills. When learning new skills, frustration is normal. Encourage your child to try three times and then ask for help, without an emotional breakdown.
If they have difficulty on their own, then help them solve the problem by thinking of another option, such as using scissors to open a food wrapper. Celebrate success when they master a new skill and watch their confidence grow! Most importantly, if you haven’t already, set a regular bedtime routine. Watch for announcements about your school district’s kindergarten screenings and registration sessions. They usually begin in March. LCCAA and Wellington Exempted Village Schools are currently participating in Heading to Kindergarten through the Ohio Department of Education.
Teams receive resources and technical assistance to help children and families prepare for kindergarten. Wellington Head Start students are fortunate to practice in the building where they will attend kindergarten (above). When it comes to kindergarten readiness, Head Start Works!
How Old Does My Child Need to Be to Start Kindergarten In Ohio, districts choose either Aug. 1 or Sept. 30 as the date by which a child must be 5 years old to enter kindergarten. Families can choose to wait until a child is 6 years old to enroll them in kindergarten, but at that point it is compulsory. For Lorain County schools, cut off dates are as follows. Aug. 1 Amherst Exempted Village Schools Avon Local Schools Avon Lake City Schools Clearview Local Schools Columbia Local Schools Firelands Local Schools Lorain City Schools
Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009
Midview Local Schools Oberlin City Schools Wellington Exempted Village Schools Sept. 30 Elyria City Schools North Ridgeville City Schools
Good Times Enjoyed at Winterfest Celebrations Families were invited to join their children’s classroom Jan Brett’s The Mitten follows the adventures of little in some winter activities last month. Snacks, activities Nicki who loses his white mitten in the snow. A curious and stories were enjoyed. crew of woodland animals happen upon it and have Events were themed around the popular storybook, The mischievous fun. For more photos, please visit our Facebook page.
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1. Firelands students perform. 2. Griswold families shared snacks. 3. LaGrange set up a fun photo backdrop. 4. Hopkins-Locke families were all smiles. 5. Central Plaza families completed crafts. 6.Wellington students heard a story.
Upcoming Spirit Days 6
X Jan. 12: X Feb. 9: X March 21: X March 26:
Hat Day Sport Day/Super Bowl Crazy Sock Day Wear Purple Day
Friday Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. we will celebrate the amazing fathers, stepfathers, uncles, grandpas and special men in our lives. All are welcome for donuts and classroom activities.
Preparing for Read Across America Day LCCAA Head Start encourages all families to join in the excitement of National Reading Month this March and cuddle up with your child to enjoy a great book.
about the story and develop their critical thinking skills.
Classes will mark Read Across America Day while also 4. Children learn from celebrating the birth of Dr. Seuss. LCCAA Head Start their parents before sites will enjoy green eggs and ham, Dr. Seuss books anyone else. If they and fun classroom activities to celebrate the love of see you reading, they reading on Friday, March 1. will want to mimic you and learn to read Reading stories and antics about Dr. Seuss’ wonderful as well. characters is a rite of passage, and the perfect way to get
children interested in reading books. Reading to your 5. Reading improves child provides many benefits: language skills, which in turn improves writing skills in the future. 1. Children who are read to have significantly larger and more developed vocabulary.
6. Bonding time together creates cherished memories.
2. Children learn to speak primarily by listening to their 7. Because every good story has a problem, reading parents’ use of language. When you read to your can develop problem-solving skills. children, they will hear good language structures and 8. Reading can increase attention span and focus. As grammar usage and will naturally mimic those. they listen to the book, children are concentrating 3. It is the perfect time to ask your child questions on the story.
LMNO Peas
Preschoolers need a lot of repetition and review to learn letters and letter sounds. There are lots of ABC books at the library, and often there is an ABC sticker on the spine so you can find them easily.
We love LMNO Peas by Keith Baker for its silliness. Each page is filled with little green peas that are acting out things that begin with each letter of the alphabet. We call the skill alliteration, or tongue twister, when there are multiple things that begin with the same sound, ie: five friendly frogs find feathers. While reading together, point out the matching beginning sounds on each page.
Upcoming Days Off X Jan. 12: X Jan. 15: X Feb. 16: X Feb. 19: X Feb. 23: X March 4: X March 11: X March 29:
Early Release Day, 3 p.m. Agency Closed No School @ Wellington, Records Day Agency Closed Records Day, No School, Wellington Open No School, Conferences No School, Conferences No School, Good Friday, Agency Closes at 12 p.m.
Build a Better Breakfast This February
LCCAA Head Start Nutrition Staff to sign up to watch a live sched- Registered families will receive will host virtual cooking lessons uled Zoom presentation on how to boxes of ingredients and other items again in February. prepare these recipes. needed to build the recipe. If you The Build a Better Breakfast: Registered Dietician Marge Robison have questions, ask your child’s Out-of-the-Box Recipe Series will will demonstrate how to prepare the teacher or your Family Service feature egg bites and overnight oats. recipe and provide nutrition and Assistant. The two-part cooking series offers meal planning tips along the way. Use the QR code to register or watch Head Start families the opportunity There will also be a chance for your email for an invitation. participants to ask questions. After attending, registered families will receive a box of ingredients to make the recipe. The classes will take place on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, both at 1 p.m. via Zoom.
Understanding Early Intervention
What does it mean when your child’s Head Start. We check their height, weight teacher suggests a referral for further and other developmental milestones. We evaluation? also perform blood tests to check for lead The early childhood years lay the founda- exposure and have partnerships to screen tion for all future development. LCCAA for dental health and behavior issues. Head Start screens children to identify any potential developmental or health concerns. The sooner we can screen children, the stronger your child’s foundation will be and the more successfully he will transition to kindergarten.
Step 2: Based on the screening results, your child’s teacher may suggest further evaluation by a specialist in the field such as your pediatrician or our contracted speech pathologist or early childhood mental health consultants.
When teachers or staff detect possible issues, they will refer your child for early intervention. Services may include speech or physical therapy, behavioral supports or other services based on the needs of the child and family. Intervention services can play a part in offering children and their families the support they need to reach their fullest potential.
Step 3: If the specialist determines further assessment is needed, Julie Charles, Head Start Disabilities Manager will begin working with you and your local school district to create an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan).
Step 4: If your child qualifies for an IEP or IFSP, you’ll be invited to a meeting These services are FREE and can be with the staff from Head Start and the provided at home or in the classroom. school district to set goals for your child Early intervention can be effective in and set-up intervention services. helping a majority of children make Early Intervention empowers families to progress toward achieving age-appro- help their child reach their fullest potenpriate developmental milestones before tial. These services provide you with entering kindergarten. the tools necessary to advocate for your Step 1: Your child will be screened at child’s needs.
Upcoming Home-Based Socializations Home-based students and families meet regularly to encourage social interaction. Here are upcoming dates: Jan. 12:
Preschool
Jan. 19:
EHS
Jan. 26:
Preschool
Feb. 2:
EHS
Feb. 9:
Preschool
Feb. 16:
Combined
March 1:
Preschool
March 8:
EHS
March 15: Preschool March 22: EHS For details on socializations, contact your home visitor.
What You Should Know About RSV RSV can be dangerous for the very young and very old.
X Clean, sanitize and disinfect surfaces regularly.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. that seems like a cold. In addition to common cold symptoms, other symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, body aches or loss of appetite. RSV can last from two to five days.
X Cover coughs and sneezes.
Who Is At Risk X Premature infants X Young children with heart or lung disease X Older adults who have chronic heart or lung disease X Young children or older adults with weakened immune systems RSV spreads very easily from person to person through: X Droplets in the air from a cough or sneeze. X Direct contact with nose and mouth secretions. X Contact with surfaces on which the virus is live and
Vaccines against RSV are available for pregnant women and people 60 and older. The vaccine can help prevent and reduce the severity of the virus. The vaccine is a single dose. Talk to your doctor about then touching mouth, nose whether the vaccine is right for you. or eyes before washing your Treatment for RSV hands. There is no cure, but you can Young children with the infec- manage symptoms by: tion can spread the virus before X Clearing up congestion. Use they get symptoms and for days or saline to loosen nasal congesweeks after getting sick. The most tion and a bulb syringe if common time for spread is between needed. October and May. X Trying a cool mist humidiRSV can lead to other respiratory fier or steam bath to loosen problems like bronchitis or pneucongestion. monia. It could cause wheezing or X Relieving pain with acetaminan attack in children with asthma. ophen or ibuprofen. Most children have had RSV by the X Staying hydrated. time they are two years old. Call your doctor right away if the How to Limit the Spread person who has RSV develops X Stay home when you’re sick. difficulty breathing, becomes dehyX Wash hands often with soap drated or has pain in their ear, chest and water throughout the day. or sinuses.
Try Quinoa With Us This Month
The next Try Day experience will involve quinoa, an ancient grain that has grown in popularity in recent years. Try Day events are multi-sensory experiences designed to expose children to new foods. Classes receive the food in raw form, talk about how it is grown and can feel, smell and see it before they taste it. Foods that are well-received can be added to Head Start’s regular menu. Lobby tastings for parents and families will occur at Hopkins Locke on Jan. 23 and at Griswold on Jan. 26. On Jan. 26, students will be served Quinoa Mango Salad with their lunches.
Scan this code to see the latest menu for most of our Head Start Centers.
Mathews Elected Policy Council President Head Start was a “godsend” for Melinda Mathews’ son Jaxon and she is glad to support the program any way she can. Serving her second year on the Parent Policy Council, Mathews was elected President earlier this year. Her election also seats her on the LCCAA Board of Directors where she is already learning a lot she said.
to school. In 2013, she earned her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice from Remington College. Since then, she has worked at Sterling Check, a global firm specializing in pre-employment and other background checks.
“It’s broadened my horizons in ways I’m absolutely enjoying,” Mathews Her son Jaxon was both a miracle said. “It’s definitely piqued my and a surprise in Mathews’ life. When he turned three, she began interest.” looking at preschool but found it out Mathews grew up in Elyria and of reach, until she found Head Start. worked as a nurse’s assistant for several years before going back “The fact that my son was able to
get in was a godsend,” she said. “I made it my mission to be sure I was involved. The more I know the better off I am.” Policy Council has helped her see the business side of Head Start and she has been welcomed by her fellow agency board members. “They are just a wealth of knowledge,” she said. “I so appreciate it.”
Mathews serves in the low-income sector of the board which includes 15 people from three sectors of the Lorain County community. The public sector includes elected officials or their designees and the private sector is usually made up from the business community.
Family Tech Talk Set for January 24 Parents and caregivers are invited to a Family Tech Talk next month.
Learn the risks your kids face online as well as some general internet safety tips. This free event is sponsored and presented by Trend Micro in conjunction with their Internet Safety for Kids and Families Program. Parents will learn about: X Online gaming and social media insights
X Managing screentime X App settings for age-appropriate content X Best practices to be safe online X How to prevent online risks X Parental controls and tips on kids’ device setup
Join this free event on Zoom January 24 at 7 p.m. Ask your Family Service Assistant for the link.
Parent and Committee Meetings If you would like to join one of our committees, contact your Family Service Assistant. Parent meetings are held monthly at our larger centers and every other month at our smaller centers.
Lorain County Resource Fair March 12, 6 to 8 p.m. at Lorain County Community College
X Jan. 18: X Jan. 25: X Feb. 15: X Feb. 22: X Feb. 26: X Feb. 26: X Mar. 5: X Mar. 6:
Policy Council, Central Plaza, 5 p.m. Education Advisory Committee, Central Plaza, 9 a.m. Health Advisory Committee, Hopkins-Locke, 9 a.m. Policy Council, Central Plaza, 5 p.m. Safety Committee, Hopkins-Locke, 8:30 a.m. Safety Committee, Griswold, 10 a.m. Parent Meeting, Firelands, 9 a.m. Parent Meeting, LaGrange, 9 a.m.
Making the Most of the Produce Center LCCAA offers convenient curbside service at its Produce Center at 204 W. 10th St. in downtown Lorain.
The center focuses on fresh food items and is designed to help stretch your budget and encourage better health. The LCCAA program is open to residents living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The program is strictly designed and staffed around appointment times. If an appointment-based service doesn’t work for you, we will help you find another pantry. Ordering windows are open from 8 a.m. Monday to 11 p.m. Sunday or until all appointments
Those picking up are also asked to approach the Produce Center using Reid Avenue and West 10th Street and not cut through the parking lot at 936 Broadway Ave. Please follow all signs and staff instructions. Staff will bring food orders to your car.
LCCAA operates the Produce are full. Pickups are the following Center in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Wednesday and Thursday. Ohio and Food Forward Lorain. A The LCCAA Produce Center uses start up grant also came from the the online ordering system, Order City of Lorain. Ahead. You can find the link to the The center is staffed by youth system on our website. assigned to LCCAA’s Youth The first time you order, you will be Services program. If you have asked to create a free account and to questions about the center, contact answer some questions about your Center Manager Deirdre Paynter at situation. 440-457-0327.
LCCAA Releases Annual Report
LCCAA has released its Annual Report highlighting how the agency served the community in 2023. Among the items shared: X 525 food boxes were distributed X More than $200,000 in property tax assistance was distributed X 2,424 work hours were completed by youth X 317 Community Health Workers are affiliated with the Pathways HUB View the full the QR code.
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How the Pathways HUB Can Help You LCPHUB recruits, trains, equips and then assigns Community Health Workers (CHWs) to create a comprehensive risk assessment for each program participant. It then connects them to federal, state and local government and community services to address their unique risks. We call these connections Pathways and they lead to improved health and mortality. Though the HUB is currently focused on pregnant women and their families in at-risk African
Direct pregnancy services may include: X Obtaining a car seat, crib or other baby items.
American and Hispanic communities, the program is open to all Lorain County pregnant moms in need. LCPHUB links you with a local, trusted and caring Community Health Worker (CHW) who focuses on the health of families and children. CHWs provide outreach, health education, care coordination and advocacy. They bridge the gap between communities and the health and social services system while advocating for individual and community needs.
X Assisting with food and basic needs. X Finding transportation. X Helping update skills and finding employment. X Finding secure, housing.
affordable
X Assisting with immunizations. X Assisting with medications. X Helping with substance use issues. Learn more about LCPHUB on our website or by contacting director Nina Brooks at nbrooks@lccaa.net or 440-457-0375.
Do you or someone you know need help from the LCPHUB? Scan the QR code to make a referral.
Winter Crisis Continues Through March
You do not need an appointment to apply for HEAP or to reverify your information for the PIPP Program. Learn more about all your options by Appointments for Winter Crisis can only be made online scanning the QR code to download and are conducted over the phone. our Guide to Energy Services. The 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 10-day supply of bulk fuel.
If you receive a disconnect notice during the crisis period, make an appointment right away. If you make an appointment for at least 48 hours before your scheduled disconnection AND you enter your utility account number, the utility will put a hold on the disconnect while you are waiting for your appointment. If you miss or reschedule your appointment, the hold is removed and you may lose service. Winter Crisis will operate through March 31, 2024.
