Greetings!
The Texas Head Start Association is pleased to present the 2011 Fall Newsletter to the Head Start staff and members that it serves. The association is working diligently to provide members with the latest Head Start news on the National, Regional and local levels. We hope that you will appreciate this newsletter and help us reach out to Head Start staff, parents and friends to join our association. Please share this copy to all who may be interested in Head Start news.
I am excited about serving as president of Texas Head Start Association and welcome the opportunity to offer you an informative quarterly newsletter. As members of a professional organization, we have a responsibility to educate our colleagues about latest Head Start news and the benefits of THSA membership.
Please remember that your comments, ideas and  suggestions are always welcomed. Bonnie Buchanan THSA President |
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President's Report of 2011 Notable Achievements
Special thanks to those of you who attended the Board Retreat held September 22-24, 2011 at Sugarland Marriot Hotel. The Board Retreat was well attended and the following goals were accomplished:
- 2012-2014 Strategic Plans
- Agency By-Laws Updates
- 2012 THSA Conference - San Antonio, Texas
- Scholarship Awards to staff and parents
- Two additional scholarships in honor of Jeanette Rummel and Sharon Sternes
- Vision and Mission Statements Review
- Additional benefits for THSA members
- Website improvements
- Knowledge of online degree programs for teachers
THSA and Region VI have scheduled Board meetings January 2012 in Dallas, Tx. Please look for those upcoming dates and plan to attend! |
Program Spotlight
The dream has now become a reality after it was first conceived over 10 years ago by a core group that included Fort Bend ISD, William Smith Sr. Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc., the George Foundation and SBWV Architects. This core group recognized the need to build a seamless continuum of support and services for early learners and their families in the highest poverty community in Fort Bend ISD. After other partnerships were formed and much support was given, the project and the construction were launched.
Today William Smith Sr. Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc. is proud to be a part of the dream that became a promised reality at Ridgemont Early Childhood Center. The center is a setting that offers: Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-K, PPCD, Even Start Family Literacy Programs, GED and ESL adult education classes through the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, Extended Day, and social, health and psychological services.
Recently, THSA Board held their November 2011 meeting at Ridgemont Early Childhood Center. Attendees were given the opportunity to tour the beautiful facility, visit the medical and dental clinics, and speak with the physician on staff.
What's happening in your Head Start Community? Please send us your information and pictures so that we can "spotlight" your program. |
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Online Head Start Degree Completor Program
Earn your bachelor's degree online at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA)
Why SFA? By 2013, at least half of all Head Start teachers must have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. This is one of the only national Head Start completer programs in the nation. Classes are taught by the same professors who teach at SFA. Special funding is available for Head Start degree students.
Consider the Advantages:
- Affordable tuition
- Financial aid and grants for those who qualify
- Convenient anytime, anywhere access
- Only 120 degree hours required including applicable earned credit hours
- Personalized academic support through graduation
- Less than $200 per credit hour
- 5 Week summer courses
Start Date: January 18, 2012 - Apply by December 19, 2012
Learn how to nurture the social and cognitive development of young children through this online program designed for Head Start professionals.
SFA also offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood online!
Contact SFA for more information at (855) 573.6066 or online at http://degree.sfasu.edu/now/head-start-completer
Additional Bachelor Degree Online Programs
To learn more, contact LaFaith Washington, Academic Partnerships at (713) 503.2430 or by email. |
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 Latest Press Release
Released 11/08/11
From the office of
Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association
New Rule: Designation Renewal of Head Start Agencies
Washington, D.C. - Today, President Obama announced that the Administration will go forward with final regulations related to the recompetition of underperforming Head Start and Early Head Start agencies. "This morning at Yeadon Regional Head Start in Pennsylvania, President Obama addressed the valuable work done by committed Head Start educators, families and communities across the country. Over the last five decades, more than 27 million children have been provided critical early childhood education services and a window of opportunity to develop and grow into healthy, productive members of society. These children have gone on too become teachers, doctors, lawyers, business-leaders, entrepreneurs, prize-winning poets, public servants, the Treasurer of the United States and this year's Grammy winner, Jazz artist Esperanza Spalding." The Head Start Community recognizes that providing high quality services is its primary goal and remains committed to innovation and excellence in the pursuit of quality. The Administration's pursuit of excellence ensures we can work together through thoughtful and forward-thinking reform measures, resulting in efficient service delivery and the highest quality standards. We applaud the Administration's long standing support of Head Start and the open process it has embraced during the creation of a system of designation renewal for Head Start grantees. We also appreciate the Administration's thorough consideration of the more than 16,000 comments from the field and input from the National Head Start Association. We particularly recognize the attention to several concerns; including a proposed arbitrary recompetition quota which was removed in the final rule. We look forward to working with the Administration to make sure that the implementation of the new rule for designation and competition is fair, transparent and accountable and that the best interests of children continue to be served. For more information, go to www.nhsa.org |
Benefits of THSA Membership
The Texas Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families across the state of Texas. The Association, in conjunction with the National Head Start Association, advocates for policies that strengthen services to Head Start programs. Membership in Texas Head Start Association (THSA) is open to Head Start directors, staff, parents and friends. THSA annual dues are affordable, costing $5 for parents and friends, $25 for staff and $75 for directors. Your hard earned money will be used to provide a powerful voice for Texas low-income children and families, and to promote quality programs and services for the Head Start community.
WE NEED YOU to renew your membership and encourage new members to join THSA in January 2012. As a member, you will be entitled to the following exclusive benefits:
- Dual membership with Region VI Head Start Association.
- Reduced registration fee at state parent and staff conferences.
- Updates on the latest legislative news.
- Several $1,500 scholarship offers for parents and staff.
- Voting privileges for THSA officers and board members.
- THSA newsletters.
Our motto, "Unite, Speak, Represent and Advocate," signifies that by selecting membership in THSA, you are making a great choice.
Become a Member in 2012, Join Now!
To join the Texas Head Start Association today or obtain additional membership information, please contact: Pamela Williams or call (281) 835.5524. |
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SAVE THE DATE
27th Texas Head Start Association Training Conference
San Antonio, Texas
July 29 - August 2, 2012
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Looking forward to your presence! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
28th National Parent Conference
December 9-13, 2011
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
New Orleans, LA
Details >>
2012 Winter Leadership Institute
January 23-26, 2012
L'Enfant Plaza Hotel
Washington D.C.
Details >>
39th National Head Start Convention
April 16-21, 2012
Gaylord Opryland
Nashville, TN
Details >>
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THSA Board of Directors
Officers
Bonnie Buchanan
President
Kenneth Gilbert
Pamela Williams
Secretary
Parliamentarian
Earrick Stigall
Director Caucus
Helen R. Wright
Venetia Peacock
Irma Guerra
Billie Sue Williams
Madeline Savoy
Tiamoiya Lee
Kenneth Gilbert
Laureen Holmes
Nori Colecio
Lenola Wyatt-Tutt
Sharon Small
Weldon Beard
Rebecca Ramirez
Aoinette Montgomery
Staff Caucus
Diana Sneed
Michelle Lockwood
Lorraine Washington
Juan Rodriquez
Connie Garza
Bonnie Buchanan
Pamela Arnold
Elena Esquivel
Mary Rose Cox
Cinithia Melton
Patrick Sanders
Irma Gomez
Tomas Gonzalez
Earrick Stigall
Pamela Williams
Friend Caucus
Genevieve Burrell
Ella J. Vargas
Roger Cox
Wanda Smith
Evelyn Burleson
Arnold Vargas
J.B. Gordon
Roszeta Norris
Anton Staff
Mildred Hawkins
Maxine Ross
Joyce Hayes
Parent Caucus
Jeanne Kom |
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THSA Newsletter
To publish and share news and pictures from your agency, please send your information and a contact phone number to: Jacqueline Johnson.
Thank You
We hope you enjoyed your personal issue of the Texas Head Start Association online newsletter. If you are a Head Start grantee, please circulate a printed version of this email so that all staff may have access to the THSA newsletter.
Questions and comments are always welcome and may be sent to contact@txhsa.org.
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