Off to a fresh start

With a fresh coat of paint on the walls, the Beatrice Head Start program is off and running for the year with several new staff members and a third class session.

Head Start Program Supervisor Cheryl Moss, among the new staff members this year, said the center offers two morning sessions as in the past, staggered  with one starting at 8 a.m. and the other at 8:30 a.m.

“In the afternoon, we’ve added one session. It allows us to add more children and give more opportunities for the community,” she said.

Moss said between the three sessions, the program -- located in Adams Hall on the Southeast Community College-Beatrice Campus -- includes 51 children.

“We are full right now, and we have 10 on the waiting list,” she said, but added that applications are always welcome.

Moss said the program has a lot of new staff this year, including Family Partner Kate Wilhelm, teachers Missy DuBois and Annie Hundley, teaching assistants Claudia Gaiser and Tammy Huls, and cook’s assistant Lillie Henk.

They join the returning staff who include teacher Laura Mullins, teaching assistant/family partner Cindy Evers and cook Sue Thornton, she said.

Moss said the Head Start program is for children ages birth-5, and is aimed at helping children develop skills to be ready for school.

A day at the center starts with a meal, breakfast for the morning sessions and lunch for the afternoon session, she said.

After that, it’s time for everyone to brush their teeth and on to circle time, where the children are involved in group activity involving movement.

Moss said a lot of the learning that goes on during activities at Head Start deal with readiness skills for school.

“They’re introduced to colors and counting while they’re playing,” she said, because at that age, children learn a lot through play.

From there, the children go outside to play on the playground area or have movement time inside if the weather is not agreeable. Moss said then they come in for some more activities in the classroom and by then, the three and one-half hour session is winding down with the morning classes washing their hands to prepare for lunch. The afternoon session ends with a snack.

“We work a lot on good nutrition, good health, manners like saying please and thank you and taking care of each other ... being good friends,” Moss said.

She said the program has both a child and family focus, with daily meetings held between staff and parents, as well as home visits where staff share information meant to help build up families.

“The program is meant to help families where they’re at, we’re here for them,” Moss said.

She said families also have a say in the programs Head Start runs by participating in the policy council.

“Parents bring their ideas and concerns, that’s an important part of it,” Moss said.

She said the program is geared toward low income families, but any families are welcome to apply for the program.

“We take applications all year long,” Moss said.

Selection is based on a point system, she said, which looks at income, but other areas also apply, such as special needs children and large families.

“We always keep a waiting list,” Moss said, so they can fill a slot immediately if one comes open.

She said there is no fee for families participating, as it is a government funded program, although the program does keep track of in-kind donations of items like toys and volunteer time.