Getting Involved in Your Child’s Class We all send our children to school with dreams of academic success. We hope for inspiring teachers who will motivate and challenge.
parent/teacher conferences, you can increase this partnership in a Did you know that creating a variety of ways, partnership with these teachers can such as: enhance your child’s experience volunteering, completing activity even further? logs or learning links, attending Parent involvement in school has enrichment activities, attending been shown to result in improved monthly parent meetings, elected reading and math skills, as well as to policy council, or joining increased confidence and social our education, health or safety committees. skills. This is why your Head Start community has many ways for you to be involved. Aside from your required home visits and
Please see your teacher or family service worker to find a way that you can be an integral part of your child’s school success!
Parent Meetings Cascade Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. Firelands Sept. 24, 10 a.m. Griswold Sept. 17, 10 a.m. Hopkins-Locke Sept. 15, 9 a.m. LaGrange Sept. 15, 10 a.m. Wellington Sept. 15, 10 a.m.
Policy Council Makes Critical Decisions Working with parents and supporting children and families along positive developmental pathways really does give families a good Head Start.
Head Start centers itself on strengthening parenting and supporting families so that children thrive and succeed.
Disabilities Specialist Jennifer Bartlebaugh.
Policy Council members also have an opportunity to attend trainings and conferences locally, statewide and nationally. Parents also typically accompany Head Start managers to advocate for the program in Washington D.C.
The support they receive as members of Policy Council often leads parents to make changes in their own lives. Many members have gone on to work for LCCAA, open businesses or earn degrees. Most importantly, “We know that parents are their child’s first teachers,” they have learned how to advocate for their children as said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. “It’s their school careers continue, said Assistant Head Start important to have a group of parents coming together to Director Stefanie Drew. make decisions for their child’s program.” “The opportunity to work alongside the director, “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.”
Parents are elected by their centers to serve on Policy Council. Policy Council members review budgets, human resources needs and curriculum. They also have an opportunity to share any successes or concerns from the center they represent.
program staff and other parents allows them to say ‘I can do this!’ and ‘I can do other things,’” Drew added.
Once elected at parent meetings, Council members come together to elect their officers. The commitment for most parents is approximately two hours per month. For officers, slightly more time is required. The President of Policy Council also has a full voting seat on the LCCAA Board of Directors where they can continue to advocate for the program.
“We want to make sure we’re meeting everyone’s For 2020-2021, Policy Council met by Zoom. When needs in Lorain County and this is an opportunity to in person meetings can be resumed safely, they will get feedback on a regular basis,” said Education and include a meal, child care and mileage reimbursement.
