January Head Start Family Newsletter

Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • January 2021 Director’s Corner

Everyone’s Ready for a Great New Year Hello Head Start Families!

children active during this pandemic is especially important for their health and well-being.

We hope that you had a wonderful holiday season! We are looking forward Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Resolution to the 2021 school year! On December is a fancy word for setting a goal or goals. Take this 31st at midnight, my husband and I were opportunity during January to help your children so glad to see 2021, hoping for a great understand that we are at the beginning of a brand new new year. year. Hang a calendar up so that they make a plan and I was driving into work one morning and couldn’t set some goals for each month. help but see all of the beauty around me. It was lightly snowing, and there was just enough on the ground to make it pretty, but not unsafe. The trees were snowfilled and glistening. I love how the air is fresh and crisp!

Winter is actually, my favorite season simply because it is so beautiful. Make sure your child gets out into the fresh air and has time to play in the snow.

There are so many fun things to do in the snow. Mix food coloring and water into a spray bottle and they can “paint” the snow using the spray bottle. Keeping

Don’t forget to participate in “ClassTag” which is our virtual forum for teaching. We have made the difficult decision to keep our classrooms closed, but we will continue with virtual learning. We will continue to monitor Lorain County and the level of risk concerning COVID-19. We will keep you informed of any revisions.

Welcome to January 2021!

Shauna Matelski, Ed.D., Head Start Director

Winterfest Celebrations Held Online Teachers and staff worked hard to connect with students for virtual Winterfests just before LCCAA Head Start took its winter break.

Thanks to music kits sent home with students there were plenty of bells to jingle and songs to sing. Teachers and other staff members made special videos and hosted sing-a-longs.

Griswold hosted a scavenger hunt and completed a gingerbread house live on Zoom. Some individual classrooms also had additional celebrations full of holiday cheer.

Thanks to all who joined in!

Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009

Getting the Most From Virtual Learning Why is my preschoolers virtual learning so important?

The first five years of your child’s life are the most important. During this time, 90% of your child’s brain is developed. Keep this momentum going by adding the Head Start virtual learning services to your daily routine.

Why is parent involvement important in virtual learning?

Families and teachers both have information to exchange that will benefit their child’s learning. This is why ongoing communication with your child’s teacher is crucial. These check-ins (Zoom, phone calls, messages in ClassTag, video comments, etc.) allow teachers to monitor progress, collect required data and discuss any additional support that the family or child may need.

We encourage families to comment on videos, post children’s work, and share what you are working on at home as we are still mandated to measure your child’s progress.

How will Head Start virtual services be delivered?

All families have access to ClassTag. This is I’m not a teacher, I’m a parent. What should I be the platform where teachers will post Heggerty doing with my child at home? phonological awareness videos, read-alouds, activities, You may not realize it, but parents are teachers too. and program enhancement links for music, tae kwon In fact, you are your child’s first and most important do, and Viva Spanish. These videos are accessible at teacher and have many materials at your disposal for any time to meet the needs of your family. learning at home.

Some classrooms might do a small group Zoom class Remember, learning occurs throughout our everyday so students can still see and interact with their peers. routines. Talk about shapes or the different signs while Families also have access to Ready Rosie, which equips driving, count items, assign little chores to do around parents of children ages birth to 3rd grade with the the house, encourage your child to dress themselves tools they need to turn everyday activities into learning and brush teeth. All of these are things we do in school opportunities. as well.

Virtual Learning Tips for Parents

Set a consistent schedule that works for your family to work on skills, watch lessons presented by your child’s teacher on ClassTag, review Ready Rosie videos, read a story, etc.

child, as well as a music kit to technology, supplies, or materials? participate in activities.

Please reach out to your child’s Keep in mind that it’s about the teacher or family service worker child, not the work. Children are so we can assist you.

just developing skills and it’s more PLAY at this age is considered about the learning process, not the children’s work. Hands-on learning Make sure you have any finished product. experiences, exploring objects, materials necessary to complete Identify the barriers that may and developing new skills through all assignments. Art supplies and hinder the learning experience. Is it daily routines are all important materials were sent home for each parts of daily learning.

Young Children Can - and DO! - Enjoy Science The thought of teaching science to a preschooler can be intimidating. Don’t you need flasks, vials, microscopes, or other expensive products? Absolutely not! All you really need are some common household items or toys, and good questions.

long explanations, instead build their excitement by having them make predictions and then try out their theories.

Less explanation and more hands-on learning is the key to building a scientific mind. Additionally, stick to Preschoolers learn more by doing rather than being things they already know about and build on that, rather given information. Don’t dampen their curiosity with than starting from scratch.

Now is a good time to experiment with snow or ice.

Ask your child which will melt faster: an ice cube or snowball that is sitting out on a plate, one with a blanket over it, or one that the two of you pass back and forth to each other. Next, test out the hypothesis.

Afterward, talk about what happened. Is that what your child thought would happen? If not, why does he or she think it happened the way it did? Use this time to introduce new vocabulary, such as temperature and friction.

Everyday objects become science experiments and discoveries if you simply ask questions and work together to find the answers.

Students at Griswold Head Start enjoyed a fun experiment earlier this fall called “Pumpkin Explosion.” Using everyday objects, students discussed what they thought would happen (their hypothesis) as each ingredient was added. They used hydrogen peroxide, active yeast, dishwashing soap, warm water and food coloring to fill the pumpkin and create the “explosion” that was bigger than anyone predicted.

Book of the Month: The Real Mother Goose Don’t discount nursery rhymes as old fashioned or outdated. They help children discriminate speech sounds as well as build vocabulary.

Nursery rhymes, like those found in The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright, teach kids rhyme and alliteration (which are like tongue twisters).

Many of them are short and can be easily memorized to recite often. Some of the most popular nursery rhymes have even been turned into full length picture books.

Got email?

As a new tool this year, all LCCAA Head Start families were provided with a free email address.

This is used by your teacher, family service worker and other staff to share important information. It should be checked regularly.

Contact your Family Service Worker if you need help!

Partner Spotlight: Barley Coming to Try Day Ohio Guidestone January’s Try Day featuring barley will be served “to go.”

As part of our meal distribution for virtual students, currently all students, four-ounce cups of the recipe below will be distributed.

Try Days are opportunities for Head Start students to try new foods in OhioGuidestone is a leading recipes prepared in our fully equipped commercial kitchen. Popular foods provider of Early Childhood Mental can be added to the Head Start menu.

Health Services.

Look for your Veggie Barley Salad in meals distributed the week of January 25.

LCCAA Head Start has a formal agreement with OhioGuidestone where a licensed therapist supports the needs of students, parents, and staff. Children from birth to age six, who are struggling with emotional or behavioral difficulties, either in the home or in the community are the primary focus for specialized services.

Head Start Services: XX Regularly scheduled site visits to develop partnerships with staff XX Classroom Consultations XX Mental health education for staff and parents XX Mental health referrals for parents and families XX Incredible Years Programming

DINA

XX Curriculum and Development Support

Child

XX Early Child Mental Health Awareness XX Parenting tips about schedule/ routine, decreasing anxiety, power struggles, etc.

For more information on Ohio Guidestone services, contact the intake department at 440-2606101, visit www.OhioGuidestone. org, or email intakegroup@ OhioGuidestone.org.

Please reference that you are a Head Start family.

Getting Started is the Key to Getting Ahead When you’re up against a trouble Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace.

See it Through

by Edgar Albert Guest personal goals. The program You are not alone. Many Getting helps individuals living in poverty Ahead group members have said build their resources for a more they were surprised to learn they prosperous life for themselves, their were not the only people struggling. families and their communities.

The friendships and insights they gained from joining the Getting Ahead group are truly life changing, they say.

“The conversations were fantastic,” said Head Start Policy Council President Susan West, who recently completed the program.

“And it’s just conversation. You’re learning and you don’t even realize you’re learning.”

Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.

Books and materials are free to participants. Discussions include finances, planning for changes, time management, how to negotiate and much more.

The program is designed to be individualized and confidence building, while examining the many Those participating in groups as factors that hold people back, not COVID-19 struck called Getting just money.

Ahead “essential” to their lives Groups will begin on the following and eagerly switched to the online platform Zoom as soon as possible. dates in early 2021: Tuesday January 12 at 10 a.m.

“We have always used a ‘kitchen table’ style setting,” Client Services Coordinator and Getting Ahead Facilitator Amy Steele said. “Now, we are literally bringing the program to your kitchen table.”

Tuesday January 18 at 4:30 p.m.

Monday January 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday February 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Monday February 8 at 1:30 p.m.

If you have questions, are looking Getting Ahead groups meet Getting Ahead is an empowering program in which participants find regularly for eight weeks and for a different time, or are ready to strengths, learn skills to become discuss a wide variety of items from sign up, contact Steele at 440-204financially secure and work toward Ruby Payne and Phil DeVol’s book 3121 or asteele@lccaa.net.

Rent, Water, Utility Help Continue in 2021

LCCAA will continue to offer help with past due rent with the new, higher income threshold of $60,800 for and water bills in 2021 as well as several types of help a family of four. Applications can be made only on our with gas and electric bills. website.

New funding allows LCCAA to reopen its rent LCCAA also continues to offer the following assistance program. To provide prompt service, a limited programs for gas and electric consumers: number of applications will be taken on multiple dates.

Winter Crisis: for residents without heat service or Rental assistance is limited to up to three consecutive who have received a disconnect notice; months of rental arrears and some fees back to April HEAP: for residents in good standing who need help 1, 2020. Applicants must be behind on rent or facing paying their bills; eviction, live at or below 80% of the area median PIPP: for residents in good standing who would like income ($60,800 for a family of four) and have been to lower their bills and get on a budget. directly affected by COVID-19.

Qualifications and details are on our website. If you Additional information and details will be available on have received a disconnect notice for your heat, call our website. A very limited number of rent applications will be taken on Jan. 4, Jan. 25, and Feb. 16. Each day, 440-538-6999 immediately. In many cases, making an appointment can stop the disconnect. applications will open at 8 a.m.

Assistance with past due water bills also continues,

Additional questions may be directed to 440-2451870.

Join Us for a Parent Meeting Head Start offers parents many opportunities to get involved in the Head Start program. One of these opportunities is the chance to connect with other families at the parent meeting.

These meetings will provide parents with the opportunity to help make important decisions in the program, in addition to enhancing your child’s education. Research shows there is a connection between parents involved in the child’s education and the success of the child (Newland, 2015).

Parent Meetings are one effective way to partner with parents and to get your feedback on important decisions. Here are some ways attending meetings can benefit parents: Plan- Events, meeting, activities Knowledge- monthly educational topics Connections- build

relationships

with the community

program,

Leadership- learn skills

parents,

leadership

Socialization- interact with parents Resources- learn community resources and services

Choosy Says: Stretch!

It’s Time to

Let’s do some fun and simple stretches and wake up those According to the Head Start muscles!

Performance Standards, programs 1. Raise your arm high up in the should plan a variety of opportunities air. Now lean over to the side for parents to learn about the and see how far you can go. program, child development and the Do this 3 times! curriculum, local resources, have a variety of family engagement 2. Now it’s time for the other activities. side! Do the same thing with your other arm. Do this 3 We need you to help us fulfill times! this task. Making these connections during the pandemic is even more 3. Next, stand up nice and tall. meaningful to the program and the Raise both your arms way child. up high over your head. Now reach down, grab your toes, Head Start Works because of your and count to 10. Let’s do this involvement.

3 times!

We hope to see you on Zoom for 4. What other body parts do you our next parent meetings. want to stretch? Give it a try!

Couponing Workshop

Join us on Zoom January 13 at 11 a.m. for a workshop with Rachel Krych. Learn how to use coupons to stretch your grocery budget!

Log in instructions will be posted on ClassTag.

Sign Up Your Child’s Imagination Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book-gifting program that mails free, highquality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.

Reading to your child is so important at an early age. Children from lower income homes may hear 30 million fewer words by age three.

Together we can close the vocabulary gap and foster the love of reading!

Please see your family service worker to get your children signed up for the Lorain County Imagination Library Program.

After stretching your body, take three deep breathes to further relax your body. Stretching and breathing are great stress relievers for the whole family!

LCCAA Head Start Menu for January 2021 Monday 4

B L

Wednesday

Tuesday

No School

Thursday

5

6

S 11

B L

No School

S 18

B L

No School

S 25

B L S

No School

12

WG Blueberry Waffle, Applesauce

Berry Patch Smoothie, Annie’s Bunny Grahams

7

WG Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Applesauce

No School

No School

Friday

13

WG Pepperoni Pizza; Tossed Salad w/ choice to add Cheese, Croutons, Dressing; Tropical Fruit

Sloppy Joe Maple Cinnamon Carrots Diced Pears

WG Graham Crackers, Juice

Diced Pear Cup, WG Granola Bar

WG Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Diced Peaches

14

8

Yogurt, Peach & Granola Parfait

Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait

15

Chicken Tortilla topped with choice of Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa; Mango Chunks

Chicken Grillbites, Dipping Sauce: Ketchup, BBQ; WG Pasta Salad w/ Veggies Mandarin Oranges

WG Spaghetti w/Meatballs, WG Breadstick, California Veggie Blend, Fresh Fruit Salad

Turkey and Gravy, WG Dinner Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Melon

Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange

WG Flatbread Round, WOWBUTTER® and Jelly

Raw Veggies w/ Ranch Dip, Cheese Stick

Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers

19

20

21

22

Mini Wheats & Seasonal Melon

WG Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Applesauce

Cheeseburger with choice to add Pickle Chips, Ketchup; Baked Beans, Apricots

WG Lasagna Rollup, Green Beans, Clementine

Beef & Veggies w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, WG Garlic Toast, Diced Peaches

WG French Toast Stick, Chicken Sausage Patty, Tater Tots, Tangerine

WG Graham Crackers & Juice

Diced Pear Cup, WG Granola Bar

Local Apple, WG Pretzels

WG Tortilla Chips & Salsa

Berry Patch Smoothie, Annie’s27 Bunny Grahams

WG Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Diced Peaches

Meatball Sub; Asst. Raw Veggies w/ Ranch Dip; Diced Pears

BBQ Chicken Drumstick; Carrot & Green Beans; Italian Seasoned Pierogies; Tropical Fruit Salad

Homemade WG Mac-N-Cheese; Steamed Broccoli; Sweet Mango

Orange Chicken Stir Fry, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veggies, Fresh Melon

Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange

WG Flatbread Round WOWBUTTER® and Jelly

Raw Veggies w/Ranch Dip, Cheese Stick

Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers

WG Banana Bread & Locally Grown Apple

WG Blueberry Waffle, Applesauce

26

28

Yogurt, Peach & Granola Parfait

Yogurt, Berry & Granola Parfait

29

Milk is served daily at breakfast and 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 reveiwed and approved by M. Robison, MPH, RD, LD. Equal Opportunity Provider.

More Care Bags Coming Jan. 25

LCCAA Head Start will distribute another Care Bag of food items to all Head Start families Jan. 25.

Head Start typically provides thousands of meals every month to children enrolled in the agency’s centers, but the COVID-19 crisis has caused demand for food assistance to skyrocket.

Each bag will contain a variety of foodstuffs intended to supply the family for as much as a month, depending on family size.

Families will be notified of pick up times and delivery options by their Family Service Worker or Home Visitor.

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

Hopkins-Locke Head Start

Jan. 11: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 11: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

*Jan. 14: Parent Meeting, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 19: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

*Jan. 20: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.

*Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

*Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 25: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution

Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution

Firelands Head Start

LaGrange Head Start

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

Jan. 11: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

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

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

*Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution

*Jan. 20: Parent Meeting, 11 a.m. *Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

Griswold Head Start Jan. 11: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

Jan. 25: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

Wellington Head Start

Jan. 19: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students *Jan. 20: Parent Meeting, 1:30 p.m.

*Jan. 13: Couponing Workshop, 11 a.m.

*Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

*Jan. 20: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.

Jan. 25: Meal Distribution for Virtual Students

*Jan. 21: Policy Council, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution

Jan. 25: Care Bag Distribution *Jan. 28: Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.

*Indicates a virtual event.

Home-Based Head Start Socializations are all virtual. Early Head Start will meet Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 at 10 a.m.

Head Start will meet Jan. 15 and Jan. 29 at 10 a.m.