Mercer County Head Start | Celina, OH

On Tuesday, Feb. 15, Mrs. Piper’s class at the Parkway Site hosted “Lunch With Mom’s.”  Pictured are some of the students and their mother’s enjoying lunch together.  The Franklin site will be rescheduling “Lunch with Mom’s” very soon.  Watch for a flyer in your child’s folder.

Students in Betsy Crites’s “Education in Democracy” class at Wright State University/Lake Campus visit Mercer County Head Start on Thursday mornings for one hour.  They read, complete art projects, play educational games, and participate in inter-active activities on the Smart Board with the children individually and in small groups.  The Wright State students plan to attend Head Start classrooms to interact with the children every Thursday morning through March 8.

Pictured are the 2011-2012 Policy Council Representatives who were elected at the January 26 Policy Council Meeting.

Karen Hudak is our Chairperson, Amy Jackson is now our Vice-Chairperson, and  Amy Hoyng is the secretary.

Congratulations to our new representatives!

Ms. Roberta makes monthly visits to our classrooms at the Franklin Building.  She talks with the children about her friend, Twiggle the Turtle.  Twiggle has a difficult time sometimes and needs reminded of how to manage his feelings.  Through the stories and activities that Ms. Roberta shares, Twiggle teaches the children about how to express their feelings in an appropriate way – feelings like anger, sadness, fear, happiness, etc.

 Ms. Roberta has also taught the children how to do “the Turtle!”  Ask your child about the Turtle.  If they aren’t sure, email your child’s teacher ~ She can send you some information about what they’ve learned in the classroom regarding feelings and Twiggle the Turtle!

Ms. Roberta is scheduled to be in the classrooms on the following days.  If you have questions for her as our Mental Health Consultant, please feel free to stop in during the day.  She is willing to speak with parents about their child’s social and emotional health and behaviors. 

 January 17^th

February 21^st

March 20^th

April 17^th

May 15^th

Roberta Donovan is a LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker) and Counselor at Foundations Behavioral Health in Celina.  She has extensive training in Play Based Therapy as well as the DECA-C (Devereux Early Childhood Assessment – Clinical).  She has many children and families in her clientele.  If you have questions about the possibility of having your child/family receiving services such as what Roberta Donovan can provide, please speak with your child’s teacher or your family advocate for referral information.

We would like to thank Rachel and Mallory’s Mom, Joy Fortman, for volunteering at Mercer County Head Start as the official photographer in our classrooms!  Joy is attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to obtain her Associate in Web Design/Interactive Media.  She is using her talents to add pictures and videos to the website!  Joy recently completed a video featured on the front page of this website from Pajama Day in December! 

Joy plans to join many of the special events this year as well as the fun, everyday-activities in the classrooms to capture with her camera!  Again, thanks to Joy for adding to our agency website in this special way!

POPS (Parents of Preschoolers) December 13, 2011 Meeting 

Oh What Fun!      

Oh What Great Attendance!

Several Door Prizes Awarded to those in attendance

Today’s Events Included:

• Parent’s volunteering to be the POPS chair and co-chair are Janet Schoen, Jeremiah Schmidt and Alice Winget.
• Open Gym parent group formed to plan an Open Gym event for families.  Date: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 6:30-8:00pm. 
• Parents and staff made parent-child activities packets which will be available in the Parent Reading Center. All parents are encouraged to take these activities home to do with their children. 
• Take Dad to Lunch Day –Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012- further details to follow
• Mercer Dad’s “Absent” video presentation –January 17, 2012 discussed and viewed the promotional segment. Visit www.absentmovie.com for further details regarding Celina Screening.

School Readiness Goals with Fall results and Winter Goals

School Readiness Goals have been established for the 2011-12 school year.  The goals are created from the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework and align with Creative Curriculum Objectives.  The goals also match parent-chosen goals for their children as well as essential skills as determined by the Elementary School District for Kindergarteners.  The Fall Checkpoint is completed for each child.  An Agency-wide analysis is available at the link above.

Please discuss any questions you have about your child’s progress with his/her teacher.

Congratulations to Mercer County Head Start!

Recipient of the 2011 $5,000 Head Start Body Start grant!

Mercer County Head Start staff recently learned they have been chosen to receive a $5,000 grant to create more play space outdoors so children can remain active, increasing their moderate to vigorous physical movement.

Curious about what this means?  Several staff members previously attended the I Am Moving, I Am Learning training.  Take a look at how important it is to keep our kids moving!

I Am Moving, I Am Learning

Watch for more news on the Head Start Body Start Grant and what changes will be in store!

You will also receive monthly calendars to provide great movement ideas for you and your family!

Back to school night at the Franklin Building was a huge success!!  Take a look at this video and check it out for yourself:

Back to School Night

Thanks to Mrs. Crites, from Wright State University – Lake Campus,  for the great photos and the awesome video!  Be sure your speakers on  :)