Urban League Head Start secure $1M federal grant
2024-25 enrollment is open
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is partnering with local organizations to make new investments in lowand moderate-income neighborhoods.
The Urban League announced on Saturday August 5, 2024 new partnerships with Connections To Success and St. Louis Community Credit Union, and also a $1 million federal grant for digital infrastructure improvements from the federal government for Head Start facilities across the region.
“When you look at low to moderate income communities where individuals do not have the money for WIFI every month, do not have the capability to buy laptops and other devices and there are students who are trying to learn virtually
but don’t have the capability to do so, this is an evening of the playing field,” said Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan.
“What that does is give people in these communities the ability to have the best equipment in their neighborhoods where they live and to have some pride and dignity in facilities that are right there in the community with them.”
McMillan added that the goal of each partnership is to make everyone independent.
Head Start is a national program that provides early childhood education to
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Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Head Start kids from the Jennings location stole the show with a charming performance during the grand opening of Urban League Centene Connected Community Center on Tuesday July 30, 2024, in Ferguson.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
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Back-to-school health tips for a successful school year
Immunizations are essential
A new school year brings with it fresh opportunity, excitement, and, sometimes, anxiety for parents and students. Medical experts say that addressing health-related issues can help make for a stress-free back-to-school season.
“Opening the lines of communication with your child and their physician to talk about nutrition, physical activity, and the steps you can take together to have a healthy and rewarding school year can help ease some of those back-to-school jitters you may be feeling,” says Bruce A. Scott, MD, president of the American Medical Association (AMA).
For a healthy and successful school year, follow these doctor-approved tips from the AMA:
Annual physicals. Visit your child’s physician every year. Annual physicals are critical to ensuring children are growing and developing properly.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about vaccines. For the U.S. pop lation in 2019, childhood vaccines prevented more than 24 million illnesses. Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.
Routine childhood immunization is highly effective at preventing dis ease over a lifetime, reducing the incidence of all targeted diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio and varicella (chickenpox). And if your child turns 11 or 12 this year, it’s time to get the HPV vaccine, which protects against the HPV virus – a virus linked to six types of cancer.
Healthy students are better learners. School meals should include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. If you pack your child’s lunch and snacks, try to pack at least two-thirds of their meal plant-based foods. Strive to include lean protein, or plant-based protein, and avoid processed meats and sugary drinks like soda and juice.
are just as needed for African American students as all others.
Exercise is key. Children need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily, so check their schedule to make sure they’re getting enough physical activity. Strive to build time for bike riding or walking as a family into the end of each day.
Watch what your child eats at school.
Be smart about sunscreen. From gym class and school sports to recess and waiting for the school bus, kids of all ages spend a good portion of their day outside. It’s important to take steps to protect your child from damaging UV rays. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and apply it before sending your kids to school. And as you’re shopping for back-to-school apparel, look for UV protective clothes. These recommendations
e-cigarettes and tobacco products. Make your children aware of the dangers of tobacco products and talk to them about how to resist peer pressure. From 2022 to 2023, the number of middle school-aged children using tobacco products overall increased by nearly 50%, with e-cigarettes being the most commonly used product.
With a focus on good health, wellness and nutrition, you can help prepare your child for a healthy and happy school year and a lifetime of good health.
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Urban
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low-income children and families. It is a locally operated and federally funded program.
Enrollment is now open for the upcoming 2024-25 school year and following summer.
The Urban League Head Start (ULHS) provides educational opportunities for children ages 3-5 years and their families. A special focus is placed on school-readiness: early childhood education, family and community engagement, and health services. The program has teachers with degrees in early childhood education, child development or a related field.
ULHS places significant emphasis on parents’ involvement in the program. It encourages them to become active participants in their children’s learning by volunteering in the classroom and serving on Head Start committees. Staff and parents work in partnership to help children succeed.
The Urban League Head Start program has been recognized as a Missouri Eat Smart Child Care Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance.
All Urban League Head Start Centers are fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Eligibilty:
• Children must be 3 years old by July 31st
• Families must meet the federal income guidelines
Documents needed for enrollment:
• Child’s Birth Certificate
• Parent’s Proof of Income
• Proof of St. Louis City Residency
• Up-to-Date Shot Record
• Child’s Social Security Card, Insurance or Medicaid Card
• Child’s Current Physical and Dental • Exam Results
Head Start locations
Head Start Headquarters 8964 Jennings Station Rd. Jennings, MO 63136 (314) 867-9100
Martin Luther King, Jr. Center 1437 Laurel St. Louis, MO 63112 (314) 389-8800
Magnolia Center 2725 Alhambra Ct. St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 584-6298
Mt. Zion Center 1440 S. Compton St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 773-0733
North Spring Center 911 N. Spring St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 652-2406
For additional enrollment information, please contact Pamela Williams, Head Start director at (314) 867-9100 or send email to pwilliams@urbanleague-stl.org Ruby Sims, Parent Involvement Coordinator (314) 867-9100 or send email Rsims@Urbanleague-Stl.Org
Back to School events dot calendar in coming weeks
Fun and free supplies for the taking
St. Louis American
As the first day of school nears for districts throughout the St. Louis area, many school districts, organizations and churches have Back to School events planned as the summer ends.
It’s not too late to take advantage of Back-to-School blasts in all corners of the area.
Upcoming events include:
Beyond the Backpack event in North County
Beyond the Backpack is happening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday August 10 at the Normandy Early Learning Center and Lucas Crossing Middle School, 7859 Natural Bridge Rd., Pine Lawn, MO, 63121.
All parking will be available across the street at UMSL.
Join the Normandy Schools Collaborative and Beyond Housing to get all your student back to school needs. Parents and students can receive free backpacks, school supplies, physicals, dental screenings and immunizations
In addition, new shoes, haircuts and lunch will be provided. New this year will be petting zoo, and kids can also enjoy a bounce house, DJ, and a lot more fun activities.
Better Family Life event offers free school supplies
Better Family Life is partnering with Annie Malone Children & Family Ser-
vices and the YMCA to present one of the region’s largest Back 2 School events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday August 10 at 5415 Page in St. Louis.
The event will feature giveaways of backpacks and school supplies, free haircuts, live performances on the main stage, carnival rides, a diverse range of vendors, and more.
Back to School bash at The Sanctuary
Join The Sanctuary for our Back-toSchool Bash at 11 a.m. Sunday August 11 at 965 Anglum Rd., Hazelwood, MO, 63042
The church service and event are designed to equip and uplift our students and teachers as they prepare for the new school year.
We’re giving away backpacks and school supplies to ensure every child has what they need to succeed. In addition to the giveaway, there will be an inspiring kids’ service where we will come together
to pray for our kids and educators, asking for guidance, protection, and blessings in the year ahead.
Whether you’re a member of The Sanctuary or a member of our community, everyone is welcome to join in this celebration and show support for our students. Don’t miss this opportunity to start the school year off right.
Kyddie Cares 5th Annual Back to School Bash
Florissant Church of Christ will present its Kyddie Cares 5th Annual Back to School Bash from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday August 17 at 16460 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO, 63031
Parking at the church is limited, and drivers are asked to park across the street at St. Norbert and use the free shuttle.
The day will include free backpacks, diapers & wipes, school supplies and uniforms, haircuts and styles.
Get ready for fun during a foam and
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bubble party, petting zoo, and pony rides. Along with plenty of popcorn and cotton candy will be a hula hoop performer, caricature artist, food truck, bounce house, henna tattoo artist, a stilt walker, face Painting, balloon artist and more.
Life Point Church holds first Back to School event
LifePoint Church Florissant invites you to its first free back-to-school bash to kick off the school year from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday August 17 at 424 Graham Rd., Florissant, MO, 63031
Free backpacks and school supplies will be available, along with popcorn and lemonade.
DJ music will be provided by James A. Miller Music.
Back to School celebration at Church of the Living God
A Free back-to-school event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday August 17 at Church of the Living God, 1610 S. Florissant, Cool Valley, MO, 63121. There will be games, food, backpacks,
school supplies, hair stylists, and lots of fun.
KidSmart’s Push for Pencils continues through August
KidSmart’s Push for Pencils, a community-wide school supply drive is continuing through August
The grassroots supple drive includes more than 150 participating businesses, 50,000+ employees and individuals throughout the community. Each year, 500,000 essential school supplies are collected, and then directly distributed, to tens of thousands of local children through the KidSmart Free Educational Supply Store.
More than 90,000 local, school-aged children live in poverty and often attend school without basic supplies. Since opening in 2002, KidSmart has distributed more than $30 million worth of free school supplies and educational materials to 100,000+ St. Louis children in need.
To make donations or get involved, visit 12175 Bridgeton Square Dr., Bridgeton, MO, 63044, call (314) 291-6211 or send an email to info@kidsmartstl.org.
