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Greetings!
 The 2009-2010 school year comes to a close this week as staff and children prepare to say their good-bye's with fun outings and end-of-the-year parties. Congrats to our children and families who will be leaving us and entering kindergarten this fall. We have been at full capacity all year, working with more than 4,200 children and their families across Dallas County. This year also marks the 20th anniversary for Head Start of Greater Dallas, Inc. We have accomplished many goals and objectives throughout our 20-year history.
Each of our 39 centers have put their hearts and souls into making it an amazing year for our young students. Please take a moment to view some of our center accomplishments as well as download a copy of our 2009-2010 Annual Report.
In this month's issue, you'll find a helpful parent guide for preparing your preschooler for kindgergarten, as well as some summer ideas and activities you can do as a family.
We've hosted some big events this year, and thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, staff and parents for making them such a success. Have a safe and healthy summer!
Wanda J. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
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Brookhaven Brick Dedication Ceremony
To end this year's busy school year, the Brookhaven Head Start Center hosted a special event on May 26th honoring those individuals who
purchased a brick last year for $100.
 The program began by celebrating the school's diversity with a multicultural performance by several classrooms and two parents shared their experiences as well. Mayor Ron Branson and Brookhaven Interim President Dr. Richard D. McCrary gave remarks and honored the center's accomplishments and impact in the community.
Since it's opening three years ago, the Brookhaven center has served nearly 500 children and encouraged parents to continue their education on the path of self-sufficiency leading to 44 parents enrolled in Brookhaven College this year.
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Head Start Hosts National Head Start Association's 37th Annual Conference
More than 3,000 Head Start and other early childhood providers from across the country attended the 37th Annual National Head Start Association Conference May 3-8th at the Sheraton and Westin Hotels. The conference included more than 200 educational sessions designed to address key topics and common challenges of early childhood programs.  "This week was all about empowering Head Start and other early childhood providers with new ideas and strategies to make their programs better. When our programs are better, the most vulnerable children and families have the best chance for success," NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said. Featured speakers Carmen R. Nazario, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, director of the Office of Head Start, opened the session Tuesday evening with "A Road Map to Excellence in Head Start" related to this year's Reaching Higher theme. The theme focused on new developments in Head Start, the development of critical skills, pressing topics, and innovative approaches and strategies that will strengthen program management and service delivery.  [Top Photo: From left, Carmen Nazario, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Yasmina Vinci, NHSA Executive Director, Wanda Smith, CEO Head Start of Greater Dallas, and Ron Herndon, NHSA Board President.Bottom Photo: Head Start children prepare to sing in front of audience of 3,000!] |
Head Start of Greater Dallas Families Like Destiny's Attend Special Services Fair
At five years old, Destiny  has Cerebral
Palsy and other cognitive delays. When Destiny first came to Science Place II Head Start, she was nonverbal and didn't have braces for her legs. Destiny now receives Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical
Therapy, as well as wears a much needed brace for her legs. Her grandmother is knowledgeable of services and has
learned how to be more hands on with Destiny. As a result of Destiny
being in the Enrichment Room she is more verbal and outgoing. She was
recently in a KidCare commercial. On April 29th, families like Destiny's attended Head Start of Greater
Dallas' annual Special Services Fair, held a  t the agency's headquarters
in Dallas, and received valuable information from our Head Start
specialists as well as from community providers such as Chidren's
Hospital Asthma and Allergy Clinic, Parkland Hospital Healthy
Start Program, Kidscare, Care
Options for Kids and many more. Our program helps those
children who would not otherwise receive help and many people do not
realize this includes those children with special needs. Head
Start of Greater Dallas gives priority to ten-percent enrollment of
children with special needs diagnosed with: speech/language disorders,
severe emotional/behavioral disturbances, autism, orthopedic
impairments, health impairments, mental challenges, deaf/hearing,
visual impairments, learning disabilities, other impairments, and
traumatic brain injuries. Children enrolled for special services often master all
goals recommended for them before they transition into public schools. |
Head Start Parents Receive Scholarships
The Blatta Family
Student Scholarship provides financial support for a Brookhaven College
student whose child is enrolled at the Brookhaven College Head Start
Center.
2010 Blatta Scholarship Awardees
From left, Brookhaven Site Manager Anita Jackson poses with scholarship winners Mame
Megersa and Beatriz Cruz. Mame currently is enrolled in English for Speakers of Other
Languages and plans to major in nursing. She is the mother of two
toddlers.
Beatriz
Cruz, pictured with her husband and four-year-old twin daughters, is currently
studying English for Speakers of Other Languages at Brookhaven College.
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Summer Volunteering
Head Start would like to encourage each of you to volunteer throughout the summer months. Whether it's with a church group, a community organization or just by yourself, our centers need your help.
Here are just a few examples of what our centers need: - Upgrade playground equipment
- Paint interior of centers
- Landscaping
- Build a lending library for parents and children
- Multicultural activities are needed year-round
Click here to register online and get started or contact Deneeco Young at 972.283.6457 to learn more about becoming a Head Start volunteer!
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Enroll Your Child for the 2010-2011 School Year
The first day of school is August 16th. Give
your child the best chance for success by enrolling him in the Head
Start program. Many of our centers have available openings for eligible
children and families. If you or someone you know could benefit from
our program, please check the following eligibility requirements and if
they are met, please apply. How do you know if you meet these
requirements? See below. You may also contact Family Advocate Manager Cora Jackson or call 972-283-6400.
What
parents need to know to enroll their children
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2009/2010 Year In Review
| The Back to School program last August helped approximately 2,000
children get the school supplies they needed to begin the Head Start
school year ready to learn.
Results
from the previous school year were compiled and showed that three and
four year-olds made significant gains in all subjects including math,
science and literacy!
Several
of our programs were expanded into more centers and classrooms
including the Math & Science Project and I am Moving I am Learning.
The 2010 Heroes event honored our Math & Science Project sponsors, we are so proud to be supported by such amazing businesses and organizations.
Spring was jam packed with events for Week of the Young Child, Earth Day celebrations and volunteer projects.
A
special thank you to our amazing staff and teachers for their hard work
each and every day to ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn!
Our
volunteers have also done an incredible job for us. This year 2,500
volunteers gave more than 12,000 hours to our centers resulting in more
than $160,000 towards our community goal.
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Summer is Here!
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| The school year has ended and summer break has arrived. What are families to do?
Go online! Great summer ideas and fun family events are listed on the parenting website theSavvySource. There is also a cityguide page just for Dallas with a list of top preschooler-friendly events and venues that are recommended by parents - each day of the week!
Safety is a huge part of summer fun spent outdoors. The American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a safety checklist covering topics from playground safety, to avoiding over-exposure to the sun.
When the weather gets hot, families enjoy cooling off in our lakes or in a pool. Nearly 300 children under the age of 5 drown each year. Take a moment to review these helpful pool and water safety tips.
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Kindergarten Ready!
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At Head Start, it is our mission to make sure children have the
foundation of skills and knowledge they need to be successful in school
and life. These helpful tips will help
identify if your child is kinder-ready. Download the complete list in English or Spanish.
Preschool Knowledge: Count to 10 Names of eight colors Hold scissors and cut
Communication skills: Participate is songs and games with sounds
Personal Information:
Names and relations of family members
Self-help Skills:Buttons, snaps, ties and zippers
Use restroom without help, wash hands and flush
Social Skills: Express empathy or caring
Physical Activity:
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