Head Start Year Extended Three Weeks LCCAA Head Start has extended its school year to June 10 to provide additional instruction. “It’s so important for these children, especially those transitioning to kindergarten this fall, to get as much classroom instruction as we can give them,” said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. LCCAA Head Start began the school year with smaller classes and in-person learning while offering a virtual option as well. In mid-November, most centers closed in favor of virtual learning due to increasing COVID-19 cases. Students returned two days a week in March with virtual learning continuing on the other two days. In April, classes increased from 8 to 12 students and days of instruction went up to four. “Having more children in our centers makes it feel like the pandemic will soon be behind us,” Matelski said. “Our staff has been incredibly creative in staying
engaged with our families. In person learning is what we all want and what these children need.” Parents will be contacted by their family service workers regarding the extension, which is optional for families. School will end on June 3 for Firelands Head Start and LaGrange Head Start due to the needs of our partners in those buildings. Students at Cascade, Griswold, Hopkins-Locke and Wellington will be in school Monday, June 7 with classes ending Thursday, June 10. Friday, June 11 will be a staff workday. Early Head Start continues as a home-based option through the summer with socializations scheduled for June 4 and 18 and for July 2 and 23. Enrollment for fall is also underway. Visit www.lccaa. net to complete an application.
June Bridging Events to be Drive-By As the world reopens, LCCAA Head Start works to reestablish key traditions while keeping everyone’s safety in mind. Traditional bridging ceremonies could not be held in 2020 due to COVID-19. Families were encouraged to hold ceremonies at home or over Zoom with relatives and send in photos. Certificates and T-shirts were mailed out and contributed photos were compiled into a video for all to enjoy. This year, centers will host driveby Bridging celebrations. Each center has a physical bridge set up and teachers will take photos of students.
In 2015, as part of the celebrations of LCCAA’s 50th Anniversary, Head Start Bridging was held at the Palace Theater in Lorain. grateful for the chance to mark this milestone for our students,” said Education and Disabilities Specialist Jennifer Bartlebaugh. “Every Head Start student has grown this year and it’s important that we recognize their accomplishments in a fun and safe way.”
bridging to kindergarten or bridging from one milestone to the next.
Due to the needs of our partners in the buildings at Firelands and LaGrange, drive-by bridging for these students will take place on June 3. All other centers will hold their drive-by events on June 10. All LCCAA Head Start students For specific times, please talk to “We look forward to the return receive recognition whether they are your child’s teachers. of our typical ceremonies, but are On the last day of school, parents will be invited to drive-by at specific times to accept congratulations, copies of the photo, completion certificates T-shirts, yard signs and summer learning kits.
