WELCOME TO

Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments

FREMONTCOUNTY

HEAD START

Handbook

1718 Brookside

Canon City, CO 81212

(719) 275-8636

Fax (719) 275-4806

Quick Info

Fremont County Head Start Phone Number: 275-8636

Shows up on caller ID as Upper Arkansas Area COG with any of these numbers:

(719) 275-8636, 275-4435, 269-3019

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm

Head Start Health Manager, Deana Workman: 275-8636

Report an absence: 275-8636

Having Lunch with your child? Call BEFORE 10:00 am

Class Time for Units A, B, H I: 8:00 am – 1: 00 pm

Breakfast Served at: 8:30 am

Lunch Served at: 11:30 am

Class Time for Units C, D, E, JK: 10:00 am – 3: 00 pm

Breakfast Served at: 10:30 am

Lunch Served at: 1:30 pm

Class Time for Colorado Preschool Program:8:30 am-2:00 pm

Unit G1 (Mondays & Wednesdays)

Breakfast Served at: 9:00 am

Lunch Served at: 12:00 pm

Unit G2 (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

Breakfast Served at: 9:00 am

Lunch Served at: 12:00 pm

Teacher’s Name: ______

Teacher Assistant’s Name: ______

Classroom Symbol: ______

Family Support Manager: ______

Bus Driver: ______

AT A GLANCE

NO SCHOOL DAYS

2013-14

Monday, September 2nd Labor Day Holiday

Monday, October 14thColumbus Day Holiday

Wednesday & Thursday, November 27th & 28th Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, December 23rd – Thursday, January 2ndChristmas/Winter Break

Monday, January 20thMartin Luther King Holiday

Monday, February 17thPresidents’ Day Holiday

Monday – Thursday, March 24th – 27thSpring Break

Monday – Thursday, April 14th – 17thSafety Town, USA

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Home VisitsTuesday – Thursday, August 13th-15th

Policy Council Every 1st Tuesday

Family NightEvery 2nd Tuesday(except December)

Fremont County DadsOct. 15th, Jan. 21st, Mar. 18th

Family Field DayFriday, September 27th

Attendance COUNT Window Thursday, September 19th – Thursday, October 11th

Pajama Day- CPP-G1Wednesday, October 30th

Pajama Day-Head Start & CPP- G2Thursday, October 31st

Special Needs Parent-Teacher Conferences November

Parent – Teacher ConferencesMonday – Thursday, November 18th- 21st

Friendship Day-CPP-G1Wednesday, February 12th

Friendship Day-Head Start & CPP-G2Thursday, February 13th

Grandparents’ Lunch-Wednesday, April 23rdCPP-G1 & Head Start Early Classes

Grandparents’ Lunch-Thursday April 24th CPP-G2 & Head Start Late Classes

Parent – Teacher ConferencesMonday – Thursday, April 28th-May 1st

LAST DAY OF CLASS-CPP-G1Monday, May 19th

LAST DAY OF CLASS-Head Start & CPP-G2Tuesday, May 20th

Family Field DayWednesday, May 21st

Program Mission Statement

Fremont County Head Start will provide a quality, respectful and accountable environment for children, family support systems, staff and our community through an integrated system which promotes healthy relationships leading to lifelong success.

Vision Statement

As Fremont County Head Start, we value an environment that fosters respect and acceptance of all families, children, staff and community by ensuring we work as a team to promote safety, education and positive relationship building.

Code of Conduct

Who must abide by the Code of Conduct:

All Staff

Parents

Volunteers

Consultants

We will respect and promote the unique identity of each child, family, and staff member and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion or disability.

We will follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and staff members.

No child will be left alone or unsupervised while under our care.

We will use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation. In addition, we will not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

Fremont County Head Start strives to provide a stimulating and secure environment where your child can grow socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically healthy and happy.

By joining forces as a team together we can make your STARR shine! To have a successful team there are some things we expect from you as the family, and some things we know you’ll expect from us.

Here is a chart on how we can help each other!

WHAT FAMILIES EXPECT
We will provide…… / WHAT WE EXPECT FROM FAMILIES
A Safe environment
Good supervision / Sign in and get a name tag every time you visit the center.
Walk your child all the way to their classroom.
Update your child’s emergency card regularly.
A Safe playground / Don’t visit with teaching staff on the playground. Supervision at this time is vital.
Be observant. If you see something dangerous report it.
Safe transportation / Walk child to the bus door.
Follow bus safety rules and watch the signs.
Healthy safe food / If you want to bring a snack make it healthy.
Check with nutrition manger before taking food to classrooms. There may be allergies.
Help keep children physically safe and healthy / Get children’s annual physicals and dentals exams complete.
Send children in appropriate clothing for the weather.
What Families Expect
We will…. / What we expect of families
Teach STARR expectations to children / Teach STARR expectations at home
Keep you informed / Let us know about things that might affect your child at school.
Work with you to create your child’s educational goals / Participate in parent teacher conferences and home visits.
Come in and volunteer or just check in regularly to see how your child’s doing in class.
Work with you to help your child reach their goals. / Give us tips about what you’re working on at home.
Work with your child at home on joint goals set at school.
Give parents opportunities to get involved with the school. / Get involved (volunteer, join committees/policy council, come to family nights)
What Families Expect
We will…. / What we expect of families
Respect your families culture / Respect our staff’s culture
Communicate respectfully with you if there is a problem / Communicate with us respectfully if there is a problem.
Be confidential / Be confidential
Get to know your child for the individual he/she is / Inform us of the things that make your child unique.
Celebrate yours and your child’s successes / Celebrate with us!!!
Be an active listener / Follow through with required deadlines and paperwork.
Have fun together!!!


Fremont County Head Start History

Head Start began nationally in 1965. FremontCounty initiated a program in 1967. Children enrolled receive a “head start” with academics, social, and emotional skills. Fremont County Head Start strives to meet and exceed National Head Start Performance Standards, State Child Care License requirements, the National Association for the Education of Young Children requirements, and local regulations so that Head Start children have a quality preschool experience.

Fremont County Head Start is the one and only Head Start program in the nation that provides on-site GED testing. Head Start is the local testing site for the entire community until January 1, 2014. After January 1, 2014, GED testing will be on-line only and no longer available through Fremont County Head Start.

1

Director of Administration

JoBeth Palmer

Managers:

Stephanie Fuller-Transportation

Lois Grabowski-ProgramServices & Disabilities

Chris Henager-Education, Family Mental HealthBehavior specialist

Virginia Herrera-Nutrition

Rhonda Webb-Parent Engagement

Sandy VickermanEnrollment & Attendance

Deana Workman-Health

Support Staff:

Main office

Jo Lozano-Enrollment & Attendance and Data entry

Behavior assistant:

Jeanne Dohrmann

Bus Drivers:

Nick Boman

Stephanie Fuller

Rick Bagby

Kitchen Staff:

Rosario Yanez

Junior Hyashi

1

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH SERVICES

Effective Workforce (Foundation)-Fremont County Head Start is dedicated to delivering high quality evidence based practices through well trained educators and staff, parent participation and a seamless delivery of community collaboration and services.

Nurturing & Responsive Relationships (1st Level)- Relationships are essential in promoting social and emotional development; so relationships are important to us! Not just the relationship between your child and their teacher but the relationships between staff and parents, parents and your children and even staff with other staff! So please get involved, talk to your teacher or staff member about your child’s likes and dislikes. Need a friendly ear? Come on in. Come to volunteer or just drop in to say hello!

High Quality Supportive Environments (2nd Level)-Research shows children in early years learn best through hands on activities, experimentation and play. So the environment in an early childhood setting is extremely important. The classrooms and playground are set up in such a way to promote exploration of materials that are carefully selected based on the needs of each individual child. The environment should feel comfortable and inviting to promote social and emotional skill building such as problem solving, friendship building, sharing and turn taking and areas to be alone for emotional self regulation.

Targeted Social Emotional Supports (3rd Level)-Social and emotional development is one of the key indicators of academic success in K-12. Statistics show that children who lack social and emotion skills are significantly more likely to drop out of school in early grades. Even children who excel academically but lack social skills are 50% more likely to not graduate than peers who are average academically but have good social skills.

Intensive Intervention (4th Level)- The intervention level was created for children that may need some additional support around behavior. In this level the parent, teacher and behavior consultant will work together to create an individualized behavior support plan.

ECHO SCREENINGS/SPECIAL NEEDS:

At ECHO screening checkups, your child will play fun games that will check:

  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Talking, listening and speaking clearly
  • Problem solving skills (building with blocks)
  • Large muscle skills (crawling or running)
  • Small muscle skills (crayon markings or drawings)
  • Social skills (playing or having a friend)
  • Independent skills (dressing or using a spoon)

Children enjoy the games and parents are reassured that their child is doing well in the areas checked. If a problem in detected, ECHO will point you in the right direction to secure assistance and help get your child on the right track. ECHO helps parents find community services available to help their child grow and develop, which includes several preschool options. Children identified with special needs will receive therapy services at Head Start within the classroom setting.

Special hearing clinics, staffed by an audiologist from the Colorado Department of Health are available quarterly to monitor hearing and middle ear status for children with recurring ear infections. Check-ups are encouraged for all children beginning at 4-6 months to school age.

CLOTHING/BACKPACKS:

It is recommended that children come dressed in “play” clothes. The weather tends to change quickly, so please send a jacket with your child. It is also important to put your child’s name on his/her clothing. We also ask that children do not bring backpacks to school since everything they will need is provided by Head Start.

CALENDARS/NEWSLETTERS:

A yearly school calendar will be given to you at Registration/Orientation. During the school year, you will receive each month, acalendar andnewsletter will have the most current information aboutno school days, conferences, activities, meetings, field trips and community events. MAKE SURE YOU TO GET YOUR COPY EVERY MONTH!!

HOME VISITS:

Teachers will be asking you to participate in two home visits. The first home visit will typically take place before your child starts school. This visit gives you, your child and your child’s teacher a chance to get to know each other before school starts. This home visit helps you and your child feel more comfortable on the first day of class.

The second home visit will take place between January and April. This is a very informative visit about your child’s classroom and what will be taking place as the end of the year approaches. Home visits will take place in your home or at a location you are comfortable with.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:

Parent/Teacher conferences will also take place twice a year. Parent/Teacher conferences are an important part of your child’s Head Start experience. During conferences, parents and teachers work together as a team to set child and family goals and a plan to reach these goals. Your input is a vital part of this process and Head Start will assist you to make your family’s Head Start experience a success. Please watch for the dates when Parent/Teacher conferences will be held. The dates will be on the yearly calendar and, if necessary, updated on the monthly calendar. Parent / Teacher conferences are held at the center, usually in your child’s classroom.

A FAMILY Program

Fremont County Head Start is a FAMILY program. First and most importantly we are here for your child. We are also here for your FAMILY. Each classroom has a Head Start Family Support Manager assigned to them. Your classroom’s Manager is available to your family to:

Help families identify and use their strengths and resources; identify and reach their goals; and advocate for their children.

Offer opportunities for family members to enhance their skills or build new ones;

Provide access to community resources, and emergency or crisis assistance when needed; and

Support any pre-existing family plans.

Your classroom Manager will be available for you if you have any immediate needs or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 275-8636 or by email.

ATTENDANCE

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in PRESCHOOL so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in Preschool, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Set a regular bed time and morning routine.

• Lay out clothes the night before.

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

• Introduce your child to their teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.

• Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, family support managers, bus drivers or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.

• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

CONTACT THE CENTERat 275-8636 when your child will be absent.

It is very important that your child is at school every day from

Thursday, September 19th, 2013 through Thursday, October 11th, 2013.

During this time children are counted and funding is secured based on attendance at your child’s preschool. Please make every effort to send your child every day these two weeks. If something is going to prevent your child from attending any day during this time, call the center immediately and talk to Sandy.

SIGN IN / SIGN OUT

When you visit our center, YOU MUST SIGN IN AT THE SIGN IN TABLE IN THE MAIN ENTRANCE FIRST. Visitor tags are on the sign in table and it is REQUIRED THAT YOU WEAR A VISITOR TAG WHILE ON SITE. Any visitors may be asked to provide a photo ID, so be prepared. This is for your child’s safety and the safety of Head Start staff.

HEALTH:

The health office WELCOMES you to Head Start! We strive for all children enrolled to be healthy to enable them to enjoy their experiences and continue learning. The following are some of the health rules, regulations, and guidelines we must follow as a program. As per Colorado State Child Care Licensing, it is required all children have a physical from their medical provider within 30 days of enrollment, or first day attended. This means we must have a current physical copy in our file, signed by the provider, at all times. Also, Head Start Performance Standard 1304.20 (a)(1)(ii) states, “ A schedule of well child care utilized by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program”, which requires:

  • Physical/Well Child Check - A current (within the last 12 months) exam including blood lead testing and hermatocrit.
  • Lead testing is usually done at 12 and 24 months of age. If not done before 24 months, a test would need to be done between 36-72 months.
  • Hermatocrit/Hemoglobin testing is usually done at WIC (Women, Infant and Child) appointments. If you have WIC, please let me know. I will have a parent or guardian sign a release of information to get the results.
  • Both lead and hermatocrit/hemoglobin testing are done with a finger stick that collects a small amount of blood for testing.
  • Dental exam – A current exam should be either a 6 month check-up or a yearly exam
  • ECHO Screening
  • Developmental (ASQ-3)
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Immunization Record – If your child has received shots in Colorado, we can pull the records from CIIS (Colorado Immunization Information System). If done out of state you will need to provide us with your child’s records.
  • Children without current immunizations or a plan to complete will have a 14 day grace period, beginning the first day of school, to allow you time to get the required immunizations up to date. In this case, if we do not have a copy signed by the provider (or cannot print the records from CIIS) in our file after the grace period, your child will remain enrolled but will be unable to attend school or activities until received. Parents/guardians will be given a reminder of the upcoming deadline. Every effort will be made to contact parents/guardians to find out if we can help in any way; such as providing a list of local providers, schedule of Public Health immunization clinics, provide transportation, set up appointments, etc.
  • Please note: There may be children attending here that are not fully immunized due to parent preference, religious belief, or allergy.

If you have any questions, concerns, or need information on any of the above required well child schedules and tests, please contact the health office anytime at 275-8636.