Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • Oct. 2021 Director’s Corner
Autumn A Great Time to Explore, Learn Fall Greetings!
School is under way and autumn is here! Take this time with your child to enjoy the seasonal change. Go on a nature walk and explore the changes. Help your child to understand why and how they are taking place. This is a time when children can learn science, math and language very easily by exploring the wonderful new colors and shapes that surround them. It is a great time of year for your child to be outdoors! It is our hope that you and your child are settling in and feeling excited about what this year can bring for your child’s learning experiences here at Head Start. We know that everything is not completely back to normal scientific study and overall knowledge on how to mitigate the virus so that there is significant decrease in but we are working on it. We believe this will be a transitional year concerning cases in our county.
COVID-19. We hope that there will be more education, We have implemented a new “fall break” which will take place October 25 through 29. School will be closed that week. We believe this gives time after eight weeks of school, for staff and children to rejuvenate and return to the classroom ready to go! We are so happy that you have chosen the Head Start program and appreciate your patience and help as we begin our new program year. Remember: WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. Head Start Director
Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009
Early Head Start to Expand Next Fall LCCAA Head Start will serve more babies and toddlers next year and once again have a facility in South Elyria.
expansion will allow LCCAA to open a new facility at 107 Oberlin Ave. in Elyria, not far from the former Hamilton Elementary The agency has been awarded an School Head Start site. Early Head Start expansion grant “This is exciting news for families from the federal government that in Elyria,” said Head Start Director will create 16 new slots for children Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. “It is now aged 0 to 3 in Lorain County. The well-known how critical those first
few years are for child development and we are just thrilled to be able to serve more children.” The new center will have two classrooms and approximately six staff members. Construction will begin soon with an opening date expected in the fall of 2022, Matelski said.
Conscious Discipline Teaches Self Control LCCAA Head Start uses the Conscious Discipline curriculum to help children develop self-regulation. Rather than the warnings given in traditional discipline, teachers will begin by giving children two acceptable choices. Offering choices gives the child a feeling of control over their own lives. Conscious Discipline also offers children a “safe place” where they can go to be alone and calm down if needed. Conscious Discipline uses a “Brain State” model focusing on safety, connection and problem solving. When the child is feeling distress they are in the survival state, also known as the “fight or flight” state. If the child is not made to feel safe they will then escalate to the emotional or limbic state, often demonstrated by screaming, crying or yelling. Once a child reaches this state you will not be able to effectively communicate with them. Teachers need to remain calm and help the child de-escalate. A child who remains in the emotional state will not be able to move to the executive state, where they would be able to solve problems. When a child moves to the executive state they are able to display empathy, helpfulness, wisdom and learning.
Book of the Month: Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete October 3 through 9 is Fire Safety Week.
All Head Start centers have regular fire and tornado drills and these can be very scary for many preschoolers, especially the first few times. It is important to regularly discuss fire safety with your children: what to do if there is a fire, where to go, who to call, etc. Talk to kids about never playing with lighters or using the stove unsupervised and practice Stop, Drop, and Roll. Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete by James Dean is a great book to get the conversation started with a popular character kids are comfortable reading about.
How to Reinforce Early Math Skills Young children begin to develop math concepts and skills very early in the first year of life. Family members play a special role in helping children learn about math through everyday experiences, as they talk, play, or carry out daily routines. Head Start teachers work to develop math skills as part of the program’s goal to prepare children for kindergarten success. Here are some ways family members can support these math skills through everyday routines. XX “How many buttons do you have on your shirt? Let’s count them together as we button them up.” (Number—counting) XX “Here’s a sock for this foot. That’s one foot. Here’s a sock for the other foot. That’s two feet!” (Number— counting, using one-to-one correspondence) XX “You can put away the square pieces. Your brother will put away the round ones.” (Geometry—recognizing shapes) XX “Give the big cup to daddy. I would like to have a little cup.” (Measurement—comparing sizes) XX “Look at the patterns in your pajamas. It has a blue stripe, red stripe and yellow stripe. Then it starts again with a blue stripe, red stripe and yellow stripe. That makes a pattern.” (Patterns) Building the classroom to home connection is so important. LCCAA Head Start encourages family members to use daily activities (bathing, feeding, diaper changing, riding in a car, going grocery shopping) as learning opportunities. These daily events provide opportunities for repetitive learning as well as hands-on experiences in a natural, enjoyable yet structured way.
Key number skills at this age include:
1. Using number concepts and operations a. Counts b. Quantifies c. Connecting numerals with their quantitiesOne to one correspondence 2. Exploring and describing spatial relationships and shapes a. Understanding spatial relationships b. Understanding shapes 3. Comparing and measuring 4. Demonstrating knowledge of patterns
Join Us in Reading for the Record Oct. 21
LCCAA Head Start will join readers around the world in Jumpstart’s The global day will be celebrated 16th Annual Read for the Record Oct. 28, but LCCAA Head Start Day this October. classrooms will read on Oct. 21 due Read for the Record is a global to fall break. campaign that:
This year’s book is Amy Wu and XX Increases awareness of early the Patchwork Dragon. When Amy Wu’s class is making their own literacy dragons at craft time, Amy creates a XX Makes high-quality books dragon with a long, wingless body, accessible for all children stag-like horns, and eagle claws, XX Raises funds to support work but her friends don’t think it’s a real with early learners dragon.
Well Care Visits Key to Healthy Childhood
Well-care visits are important for children of all ages and their families! These routine health checkups with their pediatrician help you keep your child up to date on the vaccinations they need for daycare or school and serve as a way for you to ensure your child is happy, healthy and thriving. Each visit includes a complete physical exam during which the healthcare provider checks your child’s weight, height and other vital information. Pediatricians will also examine your child’s growth and development to identify potential problems. Immunizations, screenings and other preventive care may also be included depending on your child’s age.
Try Day to Feature Plantains Partner of Try Day has become a student and staff the Month: favorite in LCCAA Head Start. New foods are introduced in a variety of ways Prevent in the classroom and this month plantains are featured. Plantains look like large bananas. They are technically fruits, but much like the Blindness tomato and unlike the banana, they are eaten and cooked as if they were a vegetable.
Harder to peel (especially when green) than bananas, plantains cannot be eaten raw. They must be cooked and are an important part of Central and South American, Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
One of the best ways to help students succeed in the classroom is to make sure they are seeing clearly. LCCAA Head Start works with Prevent Blindness to provide vision screenings to all enrolled children.
Plantains are very versatile and typically inexpensive. They are always ready for cooking no matter what stage of ripeness—green, yellow, or Vision plays a critical role in black—and used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts. They children’s physical, cognitive just need to be peeled when raw. and social development. Visual LCCAA Head Start students will get to explore a whole plantain in class functioning is also a strong predictor so they can feel, smell and see the food. Lunch on Friday, Oct. 22 will of academic performance in schoolinclude a sample of plantains which will also be sent home for parents age children. to try. Parents can complete a survey to be entered into a drawing for a Without early detection and George Foreman panini press. treatment, uncorrected vision disorders can impair child pan. Spread evenly. Set aside Sweet Plantains development, interfere with for step 4. Ingredients learning, and even lead to permanent 2. Melt margarine in a small pot vision loss. 1/3 cup water
3T brown sugar (packed) 2T margarine 2 1/2 tsp. raw ginger root slices 2 1/2 lbs. raw yellow plantains in medium sized slices Preparation Instructions: 1. Place plantains into a baking
uncovered over medium heat. 3. Add sugar, water, and ginger. Stir well until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. 4. Pour ginger mixture over plantains in baking pan. 5. Bake at 350 °F for 15-25 minutes
Prevent Blindness provides training and equipment to LCCAA Head Start staff to conduct these critical vision screenings.
How We Support Dual Language Learners Several LCCAA Head Start students are considered Dual Language Learners - children who are learning English while also developing their home language. One in four children under the age of six lives in a home where a parent speaks a language other than English, estimates show.
learn new vocabulary words.
Labels- Items and pictures are labeled using all of the languages represented in the classroom. This will help the teachers to use words in a child’s home language and also allows the student to see his or her home language in print.
All day long LCCAA Head Start teachers strive to build LCCAA offers bilingual classrooms at both Hopkinslanguage and vocabulary for all students, with some Locke and Griswold, with Spanish-speaking teachers techniques used primarily for Dual Language Learners. and family service workers. Additionally, to better Visuals- Pictures help all students navigate the serve our families, newsletters and other documents are classroom. They may show where materials go or help being translated into Spanish. the children with multi-step directions, such as how to “We want all students and their families to feel part wash hands properly. of our Head Start family, so we will continue to find
Cultural items from home- Books, menus, empty food ways to improve processes and accommodate them,” boxes, photos and more can be used as conversation said Jennifer Bartlebaugh, Education and Disabilities starters that will help children feel included as they Specialist.
Policy Council Chooses Officers Prevent Lead Head Start Policy Council seated Locke will serve as Secretary with new officers on the last day of Melanie Wiseman from LaGrange Poisoning September when a group of parents serving as Assistant Secretary. came together from across the Seating of the new officers also LCCAA program. marked the last meeting for twoServing as Policy Council President term President Susan West who was for 2021-2022 will be Margaret thanked profusely for her service. Hartman who represents Hopkins “You are going to be the best Locke on the Council. Stephanee advocates for your kids,” West told Koscho from Firelands will serve as the new officers and members.” Vice President. Through Policy Council, you will Daphne Jackson from Hopkins
make decisions. It is so worth it.”
New Specialist Engages Families
Long time Head Start employee Maria Vasquez has been promoted to the program’s Family Engagement Specialist. Vasquez has a long history with LCCAA Head Start. Her younger sister attended the program and her mother was a parent volunteer.
Vasquez started working for the agency in 1998 as a family service worker. Her most recent position was the Collaborative Services Supervisor, overseeing many aspects of the program partnerships with school districts and other providers. Additionally, all of Vasquez’s children have been part of the Head Start program. “I truly enjoy working with children and families,” she said. “I love this job!”
October 24 through 30 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Monitoring lead levels in children is critically important in Lorain County. Many older homes in our communities contain lead paint. LCCAA Head Start offers lead and hemoglobin screenings as part of the health services we offer our families. Screenings can be done in our centers with parent permission. Talk to your family service worker for more information. Learn more about the dangers of lead at www.epa.gov/lead.
Getting Ahead Groups Forming Now What’s holding you back? It might not be just the size of your bank account.
materials are free to participants. Discussions include finances, planning for changes, time management, how to negotiate and much more.
Getting Ahead can help you discover strengths you didn’t know you had and develop resources that Groups that meet online are now regularly and discuss a wide variety will help you set and meet your of items from Ruby Payne and Phil forming. Contact Client Services goals. DeVol’s book Getting Ahead in a Specialist Amy Steele at 440-204Getting Ahead groups meet Just-Gettin’-By World. Books and 3121 or asteele@lccaa.net.
Help Available to Keep Your Home Warm 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.
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.
Beginning Nov. 1, the Winter Crisis Program will help you if your primary heating source is disconnected, Winter Crisis will operate through March 31, 2022 a disconnection notice has been received, or you have Apply online. No appointment needed. less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) helps you Appointments for Winter Crisis can be made only pay to heat your home during the winter. Even if you online beginning Oct. 18. Due to ongoing COVID-19 have received this benefit before, you still have to apply concerns, all appointments will be conducted over the every year. These benefits are applied after Jan. 1 but phone. may be applied for as early as July 1 before the winter If you receive a disconnect notice during the crisis season or as late as May 31 after the winter season.
period, make an appointment right away. If you make an PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) reduces your utility bills to a percentage of your income. You must pay on time and in full each month and you must verify your eligibility once a year. This program is available year round. Apply for these programs, or verify your income for PIPP, online at energyhelp.ohio.gov. Allow at least 8 weeks. For more details on all these programs, please visit www.lccaa.net/programs/energyservices
Don’t Lose Your Home! LCCAA Can Help Help is available for renters and ($60,800 for a family of four). homeowners in Lorain County to Applications must be made online avoid eviction and foreclosure. at www.lccaa.net. No phone calls Rent assistance is available and can are being accepted. be paid as far back as March 2020. LCCAA will also be working Residents must live at or below directly with eviction courts to serve 80% of the Area Median Income high risk populations.
LCCAA Head Start Menu for October 2021 Monday
Wednesday
Tuesday 4
5
WG Blueberry Snack ‘n Waffle, Apple Slices
Thursday 6
Purple Daze Smoothie, WG Bunny Grahams
Friday 7
WG Cinn Toast Crunch, Diced Peaches
8
B
WG Rice Chex Pineapple Tidbits
L
Egg Omelet, Maple Sweet Potatoes, Croissant, Baked Cinnamon Apples
Meatball Sub, Asst. Veggies w/ Ranch, Diced Pears
BBQ Chicken Drumstick, Carrots & Green Beans, WG Cornbread, Tropical Fruit
WG Mac-n-Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Sweet Mango Chunks
Orange Chicken, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veggies, Seasonal Melon
S
Turkey Stick, WG Saltines
Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange
WG Flatbread Round, WOWBUTTER® and Jelly
Local Apple, WG Pretzel Bag
Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers
11
B L
No School
S 18
B L
No School
S B L
12
WG Banana Bread, Apple Slices
13
WG Mini Wheats Seasonal Melon
14
WG Strawberry Mini Bagel, Applesauce
Build Your Own Nachos: WG Tortilla Chips, Seasoned Beef, Black Beans, Salsa, Shredded Cheese; Clementine
Teriyaki Beef Dippers, Sweet/ Sour Dip, WG Fried Rice, Edemame & Corn Salad; Pineapple
WG Wild Mike Pizza Bites w/ Marinara; Tossed Salad w/Toppings; Cheese, Croutons, Asst. Dressing; Tropical Fruit
WG Graham Crackers Sun Splash Veggie Juice
Diced Pear Cup, WG Educational Crackers
APPLE CRUNCH DAY Local Apple, Cheese Cubes
WG Blueberry Snack’n Waffle Apple Slices
19
20
Purple Daze Smoothie WG Bunny Grahams
Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait
21
WG Cinn Toast Crunch Diced Peaches
15 No School
Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait
22
Build Your Own Tortilla: WG Tortilla, Seasoned Chicken, Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa; Mango Chunks
BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Cole Slaw Mandarin Oranges
WG Spaghetti w/Meatballs, California Veggies, WG Breadstick, Fresh Fruit Salad
Turkey w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, WG Dinner Roll, Seasonal Melon, Try Day: Plantains
Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange
WG Flatbread Round WOWBUTTER® and Jelly
Local Apple, WG Pretzel Bag
Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers
25
26 F
A
L
27 L
B
R
28 E
A
29
K
S 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.
Apple Crunch Returns Oct. 14
Head Start students will participate in Virtual Great Apple Crunch at noon Oct. 14 by enjoying locally grown apples. A kit for making applesauce will also be sent home. The Crunch promotes healthy eating and supports farmers. Households as well as educational organizations are welcome to register this year at: cias.wisc.edu/ applecrunch/ In 2020, more than 800,000 participants crunched. This year’s goal is one million.
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
3/4 cup
1 oz.
1 1/2 oz.
1/4 cup
3/8 cup
2T
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
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt Vegetables and Fruits (1 each) Breads/Grains, Pasta
Snack (Portions & Servings) Must Select Two Different Protein Components
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 Oct. 7: Dental Screenings Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22: Picture Day Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. Firelands Head Start Oct. 8: Firelands Closed, No School Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22: Lead and Hemoglobin Screenings Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. Griswold Head Start Oct. 7: Dental Screenings Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. *Indicates a virtual event.
Hopkins-Locke Head Start Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School *Oct. 20: Parent Meeting, 9 a.m. Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. LaGrange Head Start Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. Wellington Head Start Oct. 11: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 14: National Apple Crunch Day Oct. 15: Records Day, No School Oct. 18: Home Visit Day, No School Oct. 21: Read for the Record Oct. 21: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22: Lead and Hemoglobin Screenings Oct. 25-29: Fall Break, No School *Oct. 26: Book Club, 10 a.m. *Oct. 28: Educational Advisory Mtg., 9 a.m. Home Based Head Start *Oct. 1: Early Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Oct. 8: Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Oct. 22: EHS/HS Socialization, 10:30 a.m.
