Head Start Family
Winter Classroom Visits Festive, Fun
Many classrooms enjoyed special visitors in the days leading up to winter break.
Parents, families and the big man himself stopped by to decorate cookies, share stories and discuss gift requests.
Santa wasn’t the only creature roaming around. Firelands Head Start students made snowmen and took them home after reading the book “Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn and Mark Beuhner.
This family project brought in lots of fun stories.
Everyone enjoyed hearing all about the children’s snowmen and what they did at night while they were sleeping. Some families had big messes to clean up from snowmen who broke dishes, made cookies and generally made mayhem.
Central Plaza Head Start students completed their clothing study by applying what they learned to disguising gingerbread men for the holidays. Relive Santa’s special storytime by scanning the QR code.
It’s Time to Get Ready for Kindergarten
Kindergarten preparation needs to begin early to minimize surprises for both students and families. Building confidence takes repetition and time so give your child lots of chances and ways to practice before the big day.
Children need to work on self-help skills so they can take care of their bodies independently as well as school readiness skills. Here are some common skills you can work on at home:
X Bathroom independence.
X Putting on and zipping their own coat.
X Fastening buttons and snaps.
X Putting on shoes (tying laces will come later).
X Disposing of their own trash.
X Opening food packages.
X Encourage multiple tries at new skills.
X Practice asking for help rather than getting frustrated.
X Play with sounds by saying rhyming words and tongue twisters.
X Clap out the syllables in words and practice new vocabulary.
X Talk about things that happened and practice a correct order of events.
X Count going up and down steps or whenever you can.
X Compare the sizes of things you see.
X Use directional words like in, under, behind, left and right.
Students are expected to be more independent and responsive in kindergarten but you can practice that too. Encourage your child to look up and make eye contact when they are spoken to so the adults they encounter know they were heard.
You can also practice the faster transitions between activities they will encounter in kindergarten. Try to get your child involved in an activity that sustains their attention and then help them transition to a different one.
Routines are critical for early
learning. Establish a regular bedtime routine and get in the habit of arriving at school on time.
Many schools offer organized opportunities for rising kindergartners to visit. Take advantage of these or contact the school to arrange your own.
Head Start students in LCCAA’s school-based classrooms have opportunities to visit kindergarten classrooms, the school cafeteria and even the school bus!
You can also try a public library’s story time or a police department’s safety town event to practice schoollike experiences.
Remember to always talk positively about school and kindergarten as you get ready for this next step.
Children Love Studying, Reading About Pets
One of the favorite studies in our Head Start curriculum is the pet study. Some children may already be familiar with Pet Show! by Ezra Jack Keats, a classic book about children and their beloved pets.
In the story, neighborhood children bring their pets to a pet show with the hope of winning the grand prize. This is a good book to use to talk about what animals would make good pets and which ones may not be so good. Our pet study includes discussions like that and books
like Keats’. We also often end our study with a pet show - either with live family pets or stuffed animals.
After reading, head over to the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation online to play Pet Show Shuffle!, which will help with visual discrimination and fine motor skills. While there, explore many of Keats’ other works, including animated read alouds and more fun games!
https://www.ejkf.org/pet-show-game/
Letter Recognition Comes Step by Step
Recognizing letters sets a foundation for successfully learning to read. A step-by-step approach and a variety of activities help children build this key skill.
Within our research-based curriculum at Head Start, we begin by teaching children to recognize the letters in their first name, since those are the letters they likely see most often.
By age 4 children can often identify many letters of the alphabet and by age 5, they may start to associate letters with sounds. However, each child is an individual and will learn at their own pace.
Letter recognition and learning has four components—letter recognition, letter naming, letter-sound knowledge, and letter writing.
Letter recognition, also known as alphabet recognition, is the ability to identify letters by name, shape, and sound. It is a pre-reading skill that is important for literacy and reading comprehension.
Letter naming is the ability to recognize the shape of a letter and
associate it with its name. It is an early literacy skill that is a strong predictor of a child’s future reading success.
Letter-sound knowledge, or the alphabetic principle, is understanding that letters represent the sounds of spoken language.
Letter writing refers to the ability to write or trace a letter.
Building skills in letter recognition requires practice and Head Start employs a variety of activities that you can also do at home.
X Sing the alphabet song. Remember, singing the song doesn’t mean your child will recognize letters yet.
X Read books about letters.
X Use magnetic letters.
X Build letters with items like popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, or playdough.
X Play a matching game with upper and lowercase letters.
X Organize a letter scavenger hunt by hiding letters around the room/house and having your
child find them and identify them.
X Use kinetic sand, salt or clay to form and write letters.
Don’t forget, you have access to Ready Rosie videos on literacy and letter recognition. These are short video vignettes of simple activities you can do at home with your child. This is a FREE resource that all Head Start families can access. If you’re not certain how to use it, talk to your child’s teacher.
We encourage families to make letter recognition a fun and hands-on experience, as it is more meaningful for your child than worksheets or flashcards.
Head Start Opens New Kitchen Facility
For the first time in more than 50 years, LCCAA Head Start owns its own central kitchen facility on 8th Street in downtown Lorain.
The new facility includes a hub for drivers where they can organize everything needed to deliver meals to all the centers. Preparation for meals for those with food restrictions and allergies now has a dedicated space.
Other new equipment in the facility includes a steamer for vegetables,
Taste Brussels
Sprouts With Us
Griswold parents are invited to enjoy a lobby tasting of roasted parmesan brussels sprouts Jan. 29. Students throughout the county will enjoy a Try Day experience culminating with the dish as well.
Try Days are great ways to introduce new foods to children. Ask your child’s teacher for details.
an ice maker and larger coolers and hot boxes with clear doors that allow for quick inventory.
The larger space allows for a staff break area with technology. The walk-in freezer and cooler are both double the size of the same items staff used at Kennedy Plaza for many years. The flat top and kettle are also much larger.
As the staff continues to set up the new equipment and begin to serve hot meals, they are excited about
what the future holds. Head Start Health and Nutrition Staff have been known for their healthy, homemade meals featuring local favorites.
“Each step of the way, we’re getting more excited,” said Health and Nutrition Specialist Rebecca Rodriguez. “We are in a place where we can get back to making homemade foods and expand what that looks like.”
Dads Invited for Lunch Feb. 14
Calling all dads, grandpas, uncles and other special Head Start men who make a difference in children’s lives!
You’re invited for Dads and Dogs on February 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in your child’s classroom.
Don’t miss this fun time to enjoy a hot dog lunch, story time, activities and great conversation with your child.
Home-Based Events
X Jan. 17: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
X Jan. 31: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
X Feb. 14: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
X Feb. 28: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
X Mar. 14: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
X Mar. 28: Socialization, Hopkins-Locke, 10 a.m.
Nutrition Staff Shares Recipes for Soup, Bread
LCCAA Head Start Nutrition Staff brought back their popular Out of the Box cooking series last month with a pair of winter-friendly recipes: Vegetable Barley Soup and Easy No Knead Bread.
The demonstrations are held online using videos featuring dietician Marge Robison and LCCAA Head Start Chef Luis Aguilar. After the meeting, registered families receive a box with all ingredients and materials they need to recreate the recipe at home.
Barley was introduced to students at a Try Day event earlier in December. Robison explained that barley has a chewier, nutty flavor that works well in soup or salads. Pearled barley, used in this recipe, has had its husks removed and cooks faster. Whole grain barley is also available and provides additional fiber. Most grocery stores stock barley near rice, she added.
Robison added that soup is a great dish to make with children and helps them with trying new foods. Soup is also a great dish to make ahead and freeze making it ideal for busy families.
“Soup is a great way to get kids introduced to different veggies, even if they are just picking out a few of the veggies,” she said.
“Soup is so versatile,” Aguilar said. “You can add or subtract things as you like. It’s very forgiving.”
During the second demonstration, a few participants shared how they had made the soup and made it their own. Genesis Rodriguez shared she changed some seasonings and added cheese.
“It was very delicious. I added smoked sausage to ours,” said Tana Panter. “And I have some left in the freezer so it made a lot. My kids absolutely loved it.”
The bread recipe contains only four ingredients and is a great way to show kids how bread is made, Robison said, without the somewhat intimidating steps of activating yeast and kneading. She also noted that the cost of the loaf made by the team is only 30 cents.
“I think this recipe is really an example of patience,” she added. “It’s easy but it takes some waiting time.” Robison and Aguilar also noted that adding cheese, herbs, garlic or other mix-ins to the bread is an easy way for families to customize it. Different types of flour can also be used to change the flavors. The recipe uses instant yeast which does not require an activation process but it does require 12 to 18 hours of resting the dough.
Save the dates for the next Out of the Box Series featuring Homemade Favorites. Baked macaroni and cheese and pizza will be shared on Feb. 5 and 12. Watch your email for invitations to register.
Scan this code to view the recipes, rewatch the demos or register for the next session of Out of the Box.
Upcoming Screenings
X Feb. 6: Lead Screenings, Wellington and Firelands
X Feb. 7: Lead Screenings, South Elyria, LaGrange, Dewhurst Horizon
X Feb. 11: Lead Screenings, Hopkins-Locke, East Lorain Horizon
X Feb. 12: Lead Screenings, Griswold, South Lorain Horizon
X Feb. 19: Lead Screenings, Central, Little Lighthouse
Scan this code to see the latest menu for most of our Head Start Centers.
Children Enjoy Donation
LCCAA Head Start staff secured a donation of Lego Duplo blocks for a few classrooms in Lorain County this fall.
Each goodie bag included a Lego duck the children were able to put together. The fun activity helped the classes discover the magic of learning through play.
This is just one example of how our Head Start classrooms are enhanced as often as possible. Our teachers and staff are so intentional about engaging students in creative ways.
LCCAA Head Start enrolls all year. Tell your friends! They can start an application today by visiting www.lccaaforms.net.
Upcoming Days Off
X Jan. 20: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
X Feb. 14: No School Wellington Only, Planning Day
X Feb. 17: No School, Presidents’ Day
X Feb. 21: No School, Planning Day, Wellington In Session
X Mar. 3: No School, Conferences
X Mar. 10: No School, Conferences
Parent & Committee Meetings
X Jan. 14: Wellington Parents, 10:30 a.m.
X Jan. 16: Hopkins-Locke Parents, 9 a.m.
X Jan. 16: Firelands Parents, 8:45 a.m.
X Jan. 17: Griswold Parents, 8:45 a.m.
X Jan. 17: LaGrange Parents, 9:30 a.m.
X Jan. 23: Policy Council, Central Plaza, 5:30 p.m.
X Jan. 29: Men Making a Difference, Griswold, 8:45 a.m.
X Feb. 7: Griswold Parents, 8:45 a.m.
X Feb. 13: Education Advisory, Central Plaza, 9 a.m.
X Feb. 20: Health Advisory Committee, Griswold, 9 a.m.
X Feb. 24: Safety Meeting, Griswold, 8:30 a.m.
X Feb. 24: Safety Meeting, Hopkins, 10 a.m.
X Feb. 26: Men Making a Difference, Griswold, 8:45 a.m.
X Mar. 14: Griswold Parents, 8:45 a.m.
X Mar. 19: Men Making a Difference, Griswold, 8:45 a.m.
How to Get Help Keeping Your Heat On
LCCAA and the State of Ohio have multiple programs to help you heat your home this coming winter. Each program has a slightly different set of requirements and procedures. Here’s what you need to know. Emergencies only. Appointment required.
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.
Appointments for Winter Crisis can be made only online. All appointments will be conducted over the phone.
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, 2025.
Apply online. No appointment needed.
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) helps you pay to heat your home during the winter.
PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) reduces your utility bills to a percentage of your income.
For more details on all these programs, please visit our website.
Produce Center Available Annual Report Released
LCCAA has released its Annual Report highlighting how the agency served the community in 2024.
View the full report on our website.
Annual Report
Residents throughout Lorain County can take advantage of the LCCAA Produce Center every week.
Households living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($60,000 annually for a family of four) are eligible to order from the center.
Ordering windows are open from 8 a.m. Monday to 11 p.m. Sunday or until all appointments are full. Pickups are the following Wednesday and Thursday.
Appointments must be made via the online system and honoring appointments is critical.
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 Center in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and Food Forward Lorain. The center has also benefited from extra produce grown in Lorain by Solidarity Farms.
The Produce Center is staffed by youth assigned to LCCAA’s Youth Services program.
Visit our website for more information or to place your order. Contact Center Manager Deirdre Paynter at 440-457-0327.
Pathways HUB Provides Help
Too many Lorain County babies don’t see their first birthday. That’s why the Lorain County Pathways HUB exists.
The LCPHUB is a free program seeking to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of at-risk mothers and infants in Lorain County. The HUB connects mothers with caring Community Health Workers (CHWs) who focus on the health of both mothers and children.
To date, nearly 500 mothers and babies have been assisted by the HUB by addressing key health or social issues. Services include:
X Obtaining baby items.
X Assisting with food and basic needs.
X Finding transportation.
X Navigating the health care system.
Learn more by visiting our website, lccaa.net/pathways-hub.
Upcoming Spirit Days
X Jan. 15: National Hat Day
X Feb. 7: Sports Day
X Mar. 3-7: Dr. Seuss Week
X Mar. 21: Crazy Sock Day, Down Syndrome Awareness
X Mar. 26: Wear Purple for Epilepsy Awareness
