"This is an exciting partnership that will better prepare students to be ready for kindergarten," said Tammy Richardson, Head Start of Greater Dallas Board of Directors President. "Study after study shows that students who have access to quality pre-Kindergarten have a greater opportunity for success during their entire academic career."

 

 

The pilot Early Childhood Math and Science Program launched in 2005 in just 15 classrooms after a comprehensive developmental assessment of all enrolled children, revealed a critical shortfall in these subjects. 

 

"As a result of providing systematic math and science instruction in our preschool classrooms, using strong math and science curricula with effective professional development, we have seen consistent gains in pre-kindergarteners' math and science achievement. Moreover, we are making plans for a longitudinal study to investigate the long-term effects of the math and science experience," said Dr. David Brown, HSGD research advisor and professor of early childhood education at Texas A & M University at Commerce.

Now in its fifth year, funding from The Rees-Jones Foundation will be used to help purchase additional resources including extensive hands-on training for all participating Head Start teachers and a supplement program called the Hands on Standards Math, The First Source for Introducing Math Manipulatives, which provides a variety of lesson plans appropriate for preschool age children including geometry, algebra and probability. A parent component will also be added to engage parents and their children in family science-type events.

Texas School Ready!™ is a program that certifies preschool education classrooms that effectively prepared their students for kindergarten.

 

TSR is based on the actual linking between the quality instructional practices that must be in place in a preschool program to get children ready for kindergarten AND the children actually achieving scores showing they were on track in the areas of reading and social skills when they went to kindergarten.

 

Congratulations to Gannon Head Start for receiving this recognition for the 2009-2010 school year!

 

 

Head Start of Greater Dallas centers have sponsored a number of activities throughout this month, among these children's parades, on-site open houses, special exhibits, and parent and child activities.

 

Not only are such programs an excellent way to showcase the center and its children, but they also raise community awareness of the Head Start cause.

The Bachman Head Start center held a Parade of Flags in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Each classroom selected their favorite country, designed flags, and wore cultural clothing.

 

Parents and staff joined in the festivities, including dances from Spain.