Choose a building block.

Visit our website at: http://headstart.cesa11.k12.wi.us

Get Set For School

On August 22nd we started out our school year with an excellent training based on a new curriculum we are implementing program wide this year. Our 4K and Combo teachers along with their teacher assistants attended a full day training on Get Set For School and received classroom materials and guidebooks to implement this new curriculum. The Get Set For School readiness curriculum uses a developmental approach that is based on the most relevant research about how young children learn best:

*Break difficult concepts into simple tasks *Believe that every child can achieve *Use really cool materials that help children want to learn

Music is used to encourage inclusive participation and development of social skills alongside important physical skills, language, and early readiness skills. The training was interesting and interactive. We participated in songs and dances, and tried out some of the new materials. As we have been visiting the centers, we have observed the children in action with “Mat Man”, “Roll- a -dough”, and “Big Line/Little Line; and Big Curve/Little Curve”. We hope that our staff members are enjoying implementing these new ideas into their classrooms.

Rebecca Evan, Children’s Services Coordinator

Meet Becky Evan our new 4K Education Coordinator. Becky has a long, rich history with the Head Start program as a 4K Teacher at Menomonie Head Start for over 20 years. Her new role as 4K Education Coordinator will allow her to share many years of experience and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices with our 4K teachers.

Carrie Lecheler has been with Head Start for 15 years serving as a Home Visitor and Family Resource Provider. Carrie, our new Family Services Coordinator, is a licensed Social Worker with many years of experience working in mental health and child welfare. Carrie will be expanding our Reflective Supervision practices with staff and supporting the mental health component.

Angie Lueck is our new Center Director at Cornell and Stanley/Boyd. Angie has been with the Head Start program for over 15 years as a 4K Teacher at Cornell and Chippewa Falls. Angie’s enthusiasm for teaching and working with families will be a strength in her new role.

Sheri Norgard, Assistant Director

Gearing Up For The 2014-2015 School Year!

On August 27, 2014 CESA #11 Head Start had their annual All Staff event at the Shinako Lodge and Event Center in Turtle Lake to kick-off the 2014-2015 school year. Jason Kotecki’s presentation entitled Adultitis Strikes Back: How to Find Balance, Beat Burnout, and Work Happy was outstanding. Jason was upbeat, engaging, and had realistic and practical tips that staff can easily implement. Last year our staff enjoyed Jason’s presentation entitled Escape Adulthood: Living and Working With Less Stress and More Fun and were excited to have him back.

We also had unexpected greeters attend (pictured above), as you can see, they have been dedicated to Head Start for a long, long time!!

Thank you to all the staff for continuing to be so committed to the children and families we serve, your devotion does not go without notice.

Laurie Campbell, Support Staff

Laurie Campbell, coordinator of this year’s All Staff, and Jason Kotecki, exceptional presenter from Madison.

Lisa Quinn, CESA #11 Head Start’s 2014-2015 “Enrollment Queen”

Dallas Head Start staff brought special greeters to the All Staff!

CESA #11 Head Start’s amazing and committed staff.

The early identification of hearing and vision problems increases a child’s opportunity for academic and social success! CESA 11 Head Start attempts to screen all enrolled Head Start and Early Head Start children for vision and hearing in the fall of each year. If you are out at any of our centers you may see Brandi Warner, Health Coordinator, engaging children in the screening process.

The program utilizes the Ero Scan Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) hearing screening tool, which is quick and painless. A small, soft probe, fitted with a sensitive microphone is placed in the child’s ear delivering a low-volume sound. The response from the inner ear is then analyzed and the results are displayed on the OAE unit as a pass or referral.

Vision is screened using the Welch Allyn Suresight vision screening tool. Like the hearing screening, this screening is quick and painless. Lights and sounds are used to engage the child’s attention and the camera-like machine automatically measures and indicates if there are any abnormal readings. The unit screens for common vision problems, myopia/

hyperopia, astigmatism and anisometropia (unequal power between eyes).

Healthy children are children who are ready to learn!

Sheri Norgard, Assistant Director and Brandi Warner, Health Coordinator

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.”

~Charles Dickens

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/inspiring-nature-quotations-

zl0z11zrog.aspx#ixzz3DVUr6Wxc

Thank

you

Teachers

How Home Visitors Support School Readiness

Home visitors play an essential role in working with families to lay a foundation for their child’s school readiness. They help families create rich learning opportunities that build on everyday routines. Working in the child’s home, where families are most comfortable, sets the stage for close, trusting relationships between staff, parents, and children. Through these relationships, home visitors establish a partnership with families, and help the families set and meet goals for their children and themselves. Home visitors also offer resources and child development activities that align with the family’s goals.

From the Office of Head Start

Menomonie and Chippewa Falls Head Start centers revamped their reception areas to be warm and welcoming for the children and families we serve.

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Production/Layout – Laurie Campbell, Program Secretary

Visit our Website at: http://headstart.cesa11.k12.wi.us

Production/Layout: Laurie Campbell, Program Secretary

Collaboration Corner

Celebrating the Collaborative Spirit-Healthy Beginnings

Healthy Beginnings is a new, unique collaboration funded through a grant from the Osceola Health Foundation in Polk County Wisconsin. The program provides free early intervention mental health services for home and school. The Polk County Early Learning Center-Head Start, Family Resource Center-St. Croix Valley, Polk County Birth to Three, and the Osceola School District will benefit from the grant. The program will provide direct mental health service in the home setting with high-risk infants, toddlers and their families. Reducing the mental health needs in families will enhance healthy attachment and bonding between parents and their children. For school age children, direct mental health services will provide the tools and support that children need to be successful in school and in social relationships.

The mission of Healthy Beginnings is to “break the cycle of systemic intergenerational trauma that leads to mental illness and substance abuse” within the Polk County community. The grant was awarded to the Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, a 501 C3 nonprofit organization. Head Start staff and other early childhood programs tirelessly advocated for the mental health needs of young children and families. The task force listened, wrote a compelling grant, and the dream of free in-home mental health services came to fruition.

The power of community collaboration and networking can make a significant difference in reducing duplication of services, improving communication between professionals, and the potential for new and improved services for all families.

It is with great thanks and gratitude to the Osceola Health Foundation, the Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, Birth to Three of Polk County, and the Osceola School District.

Sheri Norgard, Assistant Director

FALL Back!!

Benefits of Head Start & Early Head Start

Programs

Educational Benefits

Health Benefits

Economic Benefits