Head Start Family Newsletter November 2022

Head Start Family News

Director’s Corner

Season of Gratitude Has Us Saying Thanks

Happy November Head Start Families!

I want to begin this month by expressing my thankfulness and gratefulness to all of our families. You have supported us throughout the pandemic, and I just need to say thank you! That’s it!

You chose Head Start and believed it was the best place for your child. It IS the best choice because we know from years of tracking data on this incredible model that Head Start Works!

Can you believe that we are in the middle of fall and that the holiday season is upon us? Time flies, but we do have many things planned for the month of November. Always check your calendars and ClassTag for any news on classroom activities for the month.

Also, LCCAA’s main offices will be closed for Veterans Day and the Thanksgiving holiday, check the events page for what your center is doing and mark your calendars!

We recognize that there may be some of you that do not celebrate the holidays. We hope you will still take some time to think on the things you might be thankful or grateful for with your family. We hope you all will join in our fall festivities!

Parents and family members, we want to ensure that we are reaching all eligible families to provide Head Start services. Would you help us by spreading the word about Head Start? Our mission - always - is to reach all eligible families in Lorain County and we are not there yet. We want to be fully enrolled so that we know we are meeting the needs of children and families in our county. So please, tell your friends, family and neighbors about us, won’t you?

I am so grateful that you are here for our Head Start program and we want to provide the best services possible, because you deserve it.

Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. Head Start Director

Why Should You Choose LCCAA Head Start?

October was Head Start Awareness Month and families across the country shared their reasons for choosing Head Start. Families have chosen Head Start for its quality education program, the one-on-one time staff gives to kids and its support of parents and caregivers. LCCAA Head Start

families also cited our Five-Star Step Up to Quality ratings. Here are some of the other comments:

“Head Start gives me hope that she can excel and I can keep my job without having to struggle.”

“Head Start has taught my child not only academically but also

Head Start Works!

social skills, introducing new foods, learning how to cope with feelings and emotions.”

“Head Start taught my child the things she needed to know to have success for kindergarten.”

Start the enrollment process today by visiting www.lccaaforms.net.

Collaborations Offer Families Strong Options

After a 25-year partnership, LCCAA Head Start and Lorain City Schools have prepared thousands of children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Meanwhile, thousands of parents and educators have learned more about the Head Start model.

“It helps expose more people to Head Start and our founding principles and how we’re here to support the family,” said Asst. Director Stefanie Drew. “School readiness is a focus, but the rest of our work is just as important. We’re truly focused on the child and the family. There’s a reason the Head Start model has been successful.”

In Lorain City Schools’ buildings, the Head Start classrooms are staffed by an LCS teacher and an LCCAA assistant teacher and an LCS paraprofessional. Collaborative classrooms are located in seven LCS buildings and the three classrooms opening at Central Plaza will also be collaborative.

“If parents choose LCS, they’re getting the best of both worlds,” said Collaborative Administrator Diana Riffe. Advantages of the school based classrooms include having multiple children in the same building. Preschoolers with older siblings attend the same school they do. They are also gradually exposed to the

Thanksgiving Closures

Firelands: No School Nov. 23, 24 or 25.

Griswold: Early Release on Nov. 23. No School Nov. 24 or 25.

Hopkins-Locke: Early Release on Nov. 23. No School Nov. 24 or 25.

LaGrange: No School Nov. 21 through 25

Wellington: No School Nov. 23, 24 or 25

Early Head Start: No School Nov. 24 or 25 Home Based Break is Nov. 24 and 25

experiences they will have as they advance to higher grades.

“They get to see older kids, their siblings, there’s a whole family connection,” Riffe said. “The experiences they get – by the time they go to kindergarten, it’s not a transition for them.”

Drew said the collaboration helps the entire program. The school based model is just a different way of delivering services.

“Because I’m aware of what they offer, I’m able to advocate for the families,” she said. “There are things we can support each other with and there are a lot of little differences that make us special.”

Book of the Month: How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?

Children can usually identify dangerous behavior in others before they can in themselves.

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? helps by making it more obvious when a giant dinosaur is demonstrating behaviors.

Preschoolers should be able to identify simple dangers in their world and be able to begin to tell you how to stay safe. This can be a good time to discuss rules and laws that are made to keep everyone safe.

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? is just one entry in the popular series by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague.

Look for other books at your local library.

Getting More Sleep with Young Children

Bring up the topic of children and sleep and parents will have many questions. “How do I get my baby to sleep through the night?” “How much sleep should my child get each day?” The lack of answers often plagues tired parents.

While every child is different and requires a varying amount of sleep to thrive properly, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has created guidelines for how much young children should sleep.

Newborns will sleep an average of 16 to 18 hours a day through their first 3 months. Until they reach 4 to 6 months old or 11 to 14 pounds, they metabolically need to wake up and eat during the night. Keeping the lights turned down low, playing music in the background, and speaking in a soft voice can begin to train them for a longer night’s sleep.

While it is recommended that infants sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 to 12 months, they should sleep in their own space. They should be alone, on their back, on a firm safe mattress away from any blankets or pillows.

It is not unusual for toddlers between the ages of 1 to 2 years old to begin suffering from separation anxiety.

Before a parent knows it, their little one may be crawling in to bed with them.

Whether you are trying to get your 6 month old to sleep 7 hours in a row, or you are assuring your toddler that they are safe and can sleep on their

own, there are steps you can take to make sleep time a little easier:

X Create a bedtime routine and be consistent.

X Eliminate activities close to bedtime that are stimulating, including the use of electronics.

X Try the 3 Bs: Bath, Book and Bed.

X Play soft music.

X Rock, cuddle and reassure them. Lay them down when they are drowsy but still awake, this will help them to learn how to self-soothe.

Remember, take it one day at a time. Your little one will soon be sleeping on their own and you will have made it through this time.

When are Stuffed Animals Safe for Baby

Tempting as it is to give new babies cute stuffed animals, doctors don’t recommend it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics puts stuffed animals in the category of items that should never be placed near sleeping babies. Soft items like stuffed animals, pillows, blankets and crib bumpers increase the risk of SIDS and death by suffocation or strangulation.

After your child is a year old, special toys are safer, but parents should still watch for certain

things. Look for washable, flame resistant, non-toxic materials. Watch for long strings and removeable parts. Lower quality manufacturing may mean parts like eyes will come off if they are pulled hard enough.

Be mindful of stuffed toys with batteries. Make sure the battery compartment requires an adult to unscrew a panel. Batteries are serious choking hazards.

For more tips visit wikihow.mom/choose-safestuffed-toys-for-your-baby.

Out of the Box Cooking Series Returns

LCCAA Head Start Nutrition Staff will host virtual cooking lessons again this month.

The Build a Balanced Plate: Out-of-the-Box Recipe Series will feature hearty minestrone and a tasty fall salad. The two-part class will take place on Nov. 9 and 16 by Zoom. Both classes will meet at 1 p.m.

Registered families will receive boxes of ingredients to build a recipe and Registered Dietician Marge Robison will show how to prepare the recipe. Robison will provide nutrition and meal planning tips along the way.

“We want to empower parents to provide healthy and

Classic Minestrone Soup

X Prep Time: 20 minutes

X Cook Time: 45 minutes

X Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

X Yield: 6 bowls

Warm up with this vegetarian minestrone soup! This classic minestrone soup recipe is healthy, easy to make, and tastes incredible. It’s vegan, too, if you don’t top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.

INGREDIENTS

X 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

X 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

X 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

X 2 medium ribs celery, chopped

X 1/4 cup tomato paste

X 2 cups chopped seasonal vegetables (potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, butternut squash, green beans or peas all work)

X 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

X ½ teaspoon dried oregano

X ½ teaspoon dried thyme

X 1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, with their liquid (or 2 small 15-ounce cans)

1. Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.

2. Add the seasonal vegetables, garlic, oregano and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.

3. Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices, broth and water. Add the salt, bay leaves and red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.

4. Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil,

delicious meals at home,” said Food Service Manager Melinda Gray, who will also be part of the videos along with Production Lead Katherine Collazo. “We want to offer them options and hope they will gain confidence to be more creative with fresh ingredients.”

Preregistration is required and space is limited. Parents can register for one or both classes. There are great giveaways for Zoom participants. Register by visiting this link: https://forms.gle/4knogPwpiBrTd5kG8

Meanwhile, enjoy a preview of the events with the recipe below.

X 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth

X 2 cups water

X 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

X 2 bay leaves

X Pinch of red pepper flakes

X Freshly ground black pepper

X 1 cup whole grain orecchiette, elbow or small shell pasta

X 1 can (15 ounces) Great Northern beans or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, or 1 1/2 cups cooked beans

X 2 cups baby spinach, chopped kale or chopped collard greens

X 2 teaspoons lemon juice

X Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishing (optional)

then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1” gap for steam to escape. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.

5. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and add the pasta, beans and greens. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente and the greens are tender.

6. Remove the pot from the heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon more) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Parmesan, if you’d like.

Make it dairy free/vegan: Don’t garnish with Parmesan, or use homemade vegan Parmesan.

Make it gluten free: Substitute your favorite sturdy gluten-free noodle.

Classrooms Enjoy Try Day, Apple Crunch

Head Start classrooms received the vegetables used in September’s Try Day. Students enjoyed examining whole zucchini and summer squash, even painting with the veggies!

In October, LCCAA Head Start participated in the Great Lakes Apple Crunch for the fourth year in a row. In support of local farmers and healthy habits, thousands of students across the region crunched locally grown apples on October 13.

Policy Council Selects Officers for 22-23

Head Start Policy Council seated new officers last month when a group of parents came together from across the LCCAA program.

“We know that parents are their child’s first teachers,” said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. “It’s important to have a group of parents coming together to make decisions for their child’s program.”

“It gives them an opportunity to help us make decisions that are going to be right for the program and for their

child,” she added. “So Head Start has always placed an emphasis on the Parent Policy Council.”

Margaret Hartman (pictured) who represents Hopkins Locke on the Council will serve another year as President of the Policy Council. Other officers are Vice President Zamaria Bohannon, Secretary Genesis Rodriguez and Vice Secretary Bryce Eichholz, all from

Hopkins Locke. Other members from Hopkins Locke are Amirah Bryant, Damaris Guevara, Ashley Perez and Alexis Rodriguez. Millie Harris and Alexandria Wilhelm represent Firelands, while Sierra Cobbs, Karen Deskins and Melinda Mathews represent Griswold. Melanie Wiseman returns for a second term from LaGrange. Wellington is represented by Rebecca Huff, Shiann Marcum and Sumer Roberts.

Dad Talk Series Begins with Finances

Father absence has been labeled a pandemic affecting many areas in society. Fathers can help in building a strong family by increasing their engagement with their children.

Head Start wants to offer support to fathers and families. We have scheduled a series of talks that will focus on father issues which may also be

family issues. Everyone is important in the family so moms are welcome too.

We will begin the series Dec. 7 with a discussion on family finances.

Head Start staff will lead the discussion over Zoom at 2 p.m. Links will be sent home and posted on ClassTag before the event.

Winter Crisis Help AvailableAgency Partners with Pantries

Local food pantries will again get a boost from LCCAA’s partnership grants for the holiday season. The agency has partnered with area food pantries since deep cuts were made to food stamps (SNAP) in 2013.

“COVID-19 has only increased the need for help in our community,” said Bobby Taylor, Director of Planning and Community Services. “Even recent boosts to food stamps are not solving all the hunger we see in Lorain County.”

To be eligible, organizations must be located in Lorain County and provide free food or non-food grocery items directly to any person in their service area living at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Line. The organization must also conduct monthly reporting on the clients they serve.

In addition to the food reimbursement, each partner will be given 100 new coats for distribution.

For a list of this year’s partners, please visit our website.

LCCAA’s Winter Crisis Program began November 1 and all appointments will be conducted over the phone.

Winter Crisis applicants must be living at or below 175% of the federal poverty line. Crisis appointments can be scheduled at lccaa.secure. force.com/appointments for the following reasons:

X Heat has been disconnected;

X A disconnection notice has been received;

X You need to establish new service;

X You need to pay to transfer service;

X Bulk fuel users have less than a 10-day supply of wood, coal, pellets, propane or oil;

X Defaulted on PIPP payments.

These emergency situations qualify for an appointment with LCCAA staff, which will be conducted over the phone.

Those with a pending disconnection notice must provide an account number during appointment scheduling to place a hold on the disconnection. The appointment must be at least 48 hours before the scheduled disconnection.

Maximum benefits for Winter Crisis are:

X $175 for regulated gas and electric utilities

X $750 for unregulated gas and electric utilities

X $900 for bulk fuel, propane, heating oil or kerosene

X $550 for coal or wood

The program can also fund up to $500 in heating unit repairs or replacements. For complete details and to schedule your appointment, please visit our website. Winter Crisis will operate through March 31, 2022.

L

WG Cheerios Cereal, Pineapple Tidbits

WG Cavatappi Mac-n-Cheese Broccoli Mixed Fruit Salad

Mango-Peach Applesauce, WG Cheez-Its

WG Cinn Chex or Cinn Toast Crunch, Pineapple Tidbits

General Tso Beef, Brown Rice Roasted Squash & Zucchini Diced Pears

Turkey Stick, WG Crackers

Head Start Menu

WG Banana Bread, Apple Slices

Bagged Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Sandwich, Yogurt, Apple Sauce, Veggie Juice, Milk

Early Release

WG Blueberry Waffle Apple Slices

Build Your Own Nachos: WG Tor tilla Chips, Seasoned Beef, Black Beans, Salsa, Cheese; Mango

Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange

WG Mini Wheats Honeydew

Teriyaki Beef Dippers, Teriyaki or Sweet/Sour Dip, WG Fried Rice, Peas, PineappleTidbits Carrots with Ranch Cheese Stick

Purple Daze Smoothie WG Bunny Grahams

BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Cole Slaw Mandarin Oranges

WG Flatbread Round WOWBUTTER® and Jelly

WG Mini Bagel w/ Strawberry Cream Cheese, Applesauce

Bosco® with Marinara, Tossed Salad with Toppings: Cheese, Croutons, French or Ranch Dressing, Tropical Fruit Diced Pear WG Educational Crackers

WG Banana Muffin Diced Peaches

WG Spaghetti w/Meatballs, California Veggies, WG Bread stick, Fresh Fruit Salad

Apple Slices, WG Pretzels

LaGrange Only Cereal and Fruit Cup

LaGrange Only Bagged Lunch

LaGrange Only WG Tortilla Chips, Salsa

Yogurt, Blueberry and Granola Parfait

Thanksgiving Meal:Turkey w/ Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans,WG Dinner Roll, Ambrosia Salad

Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers

WG Cheerios Cereal, Pineapple Tidbits

WG French Toast Sticks, Sugar Free Syrup, Chicken Sausage Patty, Tater Tots, Tangerine

Mango-Peach Applesauce, WG Cheez-Its

WG Cinn Chex or Cinn Toast Crunch, Pineapple Tidbits

Egg Omelet,Maple Sweet Potatoes,Croissant, Baked Cinnamon Apples

Turkey Stick WG Crackers

WG Banana Bread Apple Slices

Build a Burger: WG Bun, Cheese, Pickle Chips, Ketchup, Baked Beans, Apricots

WG Graham Crackers Sun Splash Veggie Juice

WG Blueberry Waffle Apple Slices

Meatball Sub, Celeryw/Ranch Diced Pears

Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange

WG Mini Wheats Cantaloupe

Braised Chicken Thigh, Maple Cinnamon Carrots, WG Cornbread, Clementine

Early Release

Purple Daze Smoothie, WG Bunny Grahams

BBQ Chicken Drumstick, Cheese Cubes, Carrots & Green Beans, WG Cornbread, Tropical Fruit

WG Flatbread Round, WOWBUTTER® and Jelly

No School

No School

WG Banana Muffin Diced Peaches

Homemade WG Mac-n-Cheese Steamed Broccoli Mango Chunks

Apple Slices WG Pretzels

Yogurt, Blueberry and Granola Parfait

Orange Chicken, Brown Rice Stir Fry Veggies Cantaloupe

Banana WG Goldfish Crackers

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.

Healthy Snack Tips from LCCAA

Keep

Meal Food Components Ages 1-2

Breakfast (Portions & Servings)

Lunch (Portions & Servings)

Ideas

Ages 3-5

Fluid Milk Fruit or Vegetable Breads, Cold Cereal, Granola

Fluid Milk Meat or Cheese Cooked/Dry Beans/Peas

Snack (Portions & Servings)

Must Select Two Different Protein Components

Vegetables and Fruits (1 each)

Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt Breads/Grains, Pasta

Fluid Milk Vegetable Fruit Meat or Cheese

1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup 1/2 cup 1 oz. 1/4 cup 1/8 cup each

2 T 1/2 oz. 1/2 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup

1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 oz.

3/4 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup 3/4 cup 1 1/2 oz. 3/8 cup 1/4 cup each

3 T 3/4 oz. 3/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup

1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 oz.

Cooked/Dry Beans/Peas Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt

1/8 cup 1 T 1/2 oz. 1/4 cup

1/8 cup 1 T 1/2 oz. 1/4 cup Breads/Grains, Pasta 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup

Upcoming Events at LCCAA Head Start

ALL SITES

Nov. 7: Head Start BINGO*

Nov. 8: Election Day, Early Release, 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 9: Out of the Box Recipe Series, 1 p.m.*

Nov. 16: Out of the Box Recipe Series, 1 p.m.*

Nov. 17: Health Advisory Committee, 9 a.m.*

Nov. 17: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 5: Conference Day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dec. 5: Prehistory Life Activity with the Natural History Museum, 2 p.m.*

Dec. 7: Dad Talk Series, 2 p.m.*

Firelands Only

Nov. 10: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.*

Nov. 11: School is in Session

Nov. 21: School for All Children

Nov. 23-25: Thanksgiving Break

Griswold Only

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day, No School

Nov. 15: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.*

Nov. 21: School for All Children

Nov. 23: Early Release, 3 p.m.

Nov. 24-25: Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 29: Picture Day

Hopkins-Locke Only

Nov. 10: Parent Meeting, 2 p.m.*

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day, No School

Nov. 16-17: Picture Days

Nov. 21: School for All Children

Nov. 23: Early Release, 3 p.m.

Nov. 24-25: Thanksgiving Break

LaGrange Only

Nov. 11: School is in Session

Nov. 15: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.*

Nov. 21-25: Thanksgiving Break

Wellington Only

Nov. 11: School is in Session

Nov. 15: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.*

Nov. 21: School for All Children

Nov. 23-25: Thanksgiving Break

Home Based Socializations

Nov. 4: Head Start, 10:30 a.m.*

Nov. 18: Early Head Start and Head Start, 10:30 a.m. (separate Zoom links)*

Dec. 2: Early Head Start, 10:30 a.m.*

*Indicates a virtual event.