As the school year closed for Head Start this year, it was with mixed emotions. The year had been like no other in our lifetime. When the facility and children returned on March 1, it was extremely heart-warming to see and hear the excitement in their voices. The students flourished when they returned for in- person learning and made enormous strides towards educational goals.
Early Head Start enrollment is strong and those students will remain in session until mid-July. Plans are being made to move one classroom to Springfield in the upcoming school year. Meals are being provided daily by the Summer Feeding Program. Several EHS children will be transitioning into Head Start in the upcoming school year.
The Policy Council was ecstatic to meet in May with hybrid participation and looks forward to meeting over the summer being in-person. Plans to move into the newly built centers are being made. Springfield Head Start is a few days away from being able to move into, with the Lebanon Head Start center being about 3 weeks away from completion.
Head Start staff is recruiting at various locations in the communities we serve during summer to offer Head Start services to eligible families; as well as, seeking prospects for hiring. We ended the school year with an average daily attendance of 97% for Head Start. As of May, Early Head Start had an average daily attendance of 95%. To enroll your child or apply for a job, please call 270-692-2136.
We have been busy restoring our program as evidenced by conducting a staff survey and reorganizing positions. Planning is in full force to strengthen communication, implement ways to support staff, and focus on all components of the program through professional development and incentives.
In April, Central Kentucky Head Start hosted an online auction for Child Abuse Awareness Month. Over $2,200 was raised and donated to the Trooper Teddy Program to purchase Teddy Bears to be given to children during traumatic events. Pictured is Kentucky State Trooper, Nick Hale, receiving the donation from ERSEA Manager Melissa Garrett and Action Based Learning Coach Nicole Burchell.