Bald Knob Head Start
Bald Knob Center was very busy with a lot of activities for the past several months. In March, we enjoyed a visit from the Air Evac Helicopter. The children and teachers were able to meet a pilot, a flight paramedic, and a nurse and hear about their jobs as community helpers and tour the helicopter that landed on the field beside the center.
In April, we were busy learning about Spring, making healthy choices during Arkansas Children’s Week, and doing a very special recycling project all month for Earth Day. The children collected aluminum cans, plastic items, and paper for recycling. The children were able to learn the importance of recycling and taking care of our planet.
In May, the children learned about transitioning into Kindergarten. We were able to eat in the elementary school cafeteria, meet the principal, hear a story in the library, have a music lesson with the elementary school music teacher, and take a tour of the elementary school. We just ended the program year with a wonderful end of the year celebration. The children enjoyed pizza, juice, fruit, and outdoor games. We all had a terrific time, but we were sad to see the children go and another great year to come to a close. We are looking forward to another super group next year!
Mills Center Regional Head Start
This Head Start year is slipping away quickly. However, we are not going to quit learning; we’ve got a lot more to experience before the end of May!!
In March, we prepared for Arkansas Children’s Week activities. We ordered deliciously chocolate brown T-shirts. The teaching staff, parents, and children came up with fun activities to help us make “Healthy Choices for Better Beginnings.” We plan to use the “I Am Moving, I Am Learning” CD’s and written materials to promote healthy eating and more physical activities into our lifestyles.
Omitted from Spring Newsletter
Rose Bud Head Start
The 2009-2010 program year has been very successful at Rose Bud. The Center has 11 children who will be moving to Kindergarten in the fall and 8 returning to Head Start. They have all worked hard and learned a lot this year. We are very proud of each of them. We celebrated their achievement with a year end celebration. The children were very excited to show off some of the songs, poems, and fingerplays they learned this year to their parents. They also enjoyed receiving their certificates.
The end of the year always seems to be bitter sweet. After serving these families, some which have been with us two years, it is always hard to say goodbye. We are very fortunate, however, to be able to give the children the “head start” that they need before entering kindergarten and feel blessed to have been a part of their transition.
The staff learn as much from the children as they do from us. Although it seems the end of year has approached rather quickly, we are looking forward to the sunshine and wish everyone a safe and happy summer break.
Conway Head Start
The Conway Center has had an exciting time during the month of May beginning with “Muffins with Mom.” The Mothers were given an opportunity to spend the morning with their child eating muffins and enjoying the cards the children made for them. The children were excited to have their mothers present and the center appreciates the parent involvement.
It was a picture perfect evening for the Conway Head Start Program as we had the End of the Year Celebration on May 11, 2010. The celebration entitled “A Night with the Stars,” was a spectacular event. The red carpet was rolled out and the Head Start Stars waltz down the aisle as cameras were lashing all over the place. We are very appreciative of the many hours parents spent to make the evening a night to remember. The Conway staff was filled with mixed emotions as the children came forward with their songs and dances. The staff were happy to see progress and advancement of the children we have served this year, but at the same time sad to see them go.
Memories have been made and lifelong friendships have been established. Thank you to the parents for sharing your children with us. We’ve had a great year with the children as they were busy learning while playing.
Mills Migrant/Seasonal Head Start
Part of that learning will involve planting flowers and vegetables in a garden spot. They have tomatoes and bell pepper plants. They have also planted some flower bulbs. The children will help water and care for them each day.
Mills Center is glad to see the migrant families coming back for the blueberry & blackberry season. We are seeing some new faces and some familiar faces. Ten months makes a big difference in the size and maturity of these infants and toddlers. The babies that left last August came back as toddlers and the toddlers are now three year olds eager to learn new things. Many of the seasonal children are being transitioned to different classrooms. There will be new teachers and children to get to know and most likely new ways of learning will be presented. But most assuredly, there will be fun and excitement. Dad’s are looking forward to going bowling with their children for a fatherhood initiative activity. This will be a special time for them to spend with their Head Start child/children.
It should be an interesting time for all.
We want to welcome new staff Katrina Bundy teacher and Josephine Slagle teacher. They will be in the preschool classrooms. Other new staff that will be working for the summer are Linda Stolfo and Kathy Gude bus drivers.
So here we go! On with more fun, learning and excitement to last a lifetime!!!