Rice Lake has been celebrating Week of the Young Child by having fun dress up days, exciting classroom activities, and special guest readers! Monday we were visited by The Mayor of Rice Lake, Harlan Dodge. Tuesday Senator Quinn and Representative Armstrong visited and read books and Wednesday's guest was RLASD Police-School Liaison, Officer Andy! Thank you all for spending time with our students this week!
- Joleen Deiman
Polk County Early Learning Center has been receiving visits from their local librarian. During the visits the students have been trying some fun experiments!
The only constant in the world of Head Start families is change. We meet families where they are at, support and encourage them at that place in time, and hope that after our visits with them end, that their journey continues along a hopeful path. That’s why we are here!
The first family I worked with after becoming a St. Croix County Home Visitor lived in a run down country home, with outdoor cats EVERYWHERE. I really love cats, so it was all good. I was home visitor to sisters, Alaina and Kinley, who lived with their foster “Grandma T” as I came to call her. I’ll never forget my first anxious day, with way too many toys in my bag!
That day, that first family, and their story was unlike anything I had ever heard in my life, and it broke my heart, immediately, day one. What these girls had experienced is unspeakable, yet it happened, and there we were, at Grandma T’s, with her telling me this powerful story of how these children came to be in her care and home. I felt absolutely ill equipped to do anything but listen to her story, and engage with the girls…just play. I can do that.
One of the first things Grandma T said to me was “you know, if a baby doesn’t have any hair on it’s head, they’re just not getting enough love”. All I could do was scratch my very bald head and say “geez, I’m not sure what to think of that ”. Grandma T, Teresa, looked me in the eye and said “oh honey, I didn’t mean you”. This where Teresa, A and K and I began!
I visited them for about 10 months, as Grandma T and her husband fought for permanent placement, raising those girls, navigating “the system” and giving A and K a safe and loving home. At first, play was more like a mix of delight and chaos, but we kept going, and slowly I saw the reason Head Start, Early Head Start and my job exist. Families need support, an ear to bend, and maybe a little Googling and resource hunting, and children, especially children who have experienced trauma, deserve only our encouragement, support and love.
They faced challenges. A and K’s parents fought for custody, but like the strong and determined person she was, Grandma T persevered, and eventually went to court, and was successful. The girls would be with them permanently, safe and surrounded by love. Then, that “constant” called change happened and poof, the home this family had lived in for 15+ years was sold, they had weeks to pack up their whole lives and move. Ultimately, they moved closer to Grandma T’s home in the south. Their time with EHS was done and they moved away.
Last week, as happens during cold and flu season, I missed being able to see several families. The weather was bitterly cold, people were sick, I had been sick, so staying positive can be a challenge. Out of the blue, Grandma T, who had moved away with my pals A and K last April, sent me pics and a message that, like that first visit with them, that I won’t forget. It summed up perfectly why we do what we do, and THEIR success.
“Kinley counts to 10 now and Alaina is starting to talk (she says grandma, yellow, green, blue, and apple). Yes you have my permission (to share their story). I love sending photos because the changes are so obvious especially with Alaina that used to self withdrawal. She still has selective hearing. Have a great day!“
I will Grandma T, I will…
What an exciting week for Head Start! Our New Richmond center enjoyed at visit from Governor Evers and Department of Children and Family Services secretary Jeff Pertl. We were able to share the impact of Child Care Counts on our program, showcase facilities updates, and even have a sing-a-long.
Barron County Home Visiting is getting Messy!
Making a mess supports child development through creativity, sensory exploration, and allowing children to learn through experimentation and discovery! This also offers a great opportunity to teach children how to clean up after themselves by washing their hands and wiping down their area.
Our Chippewa center has been bustling with activity as we wrap up the fall season and transition into winter! The 3K classrooms explored the world of colors, while Head Start and Early Head Start celebrated the season with a festive Fall dance. In addition, Miss Christine gave the front doors a beautiful new look with her painting skills
Polk County Head Start hosted a delightful Fall Family activity that brought together families for a night filled with creativity and fun. The event featured a dance and an art show, allowing families to enjoy an evening of artistic expression and community bonding. Papa Murphy's was kind and catered pizzas for attendees.
The Polk County Early Head Start recently hosted a Positive Solutions Workshop to empower parents with effective strategies for encouraging positive behaviors in their children. The workshop aimed to enhance parenting skills and strengthen parent-child relationships.
Four of our dedicated Head Start parents completed the workshop, demonstrating their commitment to applying positive parenting techniques.
Our Turtle Lake Head Start has a new employment opportunity! We are looking for a Center Wide Aide to join our team. Click the link below for more information on our open positions!
https://headstart.cesa11.k12.wi.us/o/headstart/page/employment-opportunities
CESA #11 Head Start has a new employment opportunity! We are now hiring a Transportation/Facilities Coordinator. Visit the Employment > Central Office section on our site for more information and to apply!
https://headstart.cesa11.k12.wi.us/o/headstart/page/employment-opportunities
Our agency is updating our Community Assessment for 2024. Part of that assessment is gathering information from the communities that we serve regarding community needs. Click the link below to go our survey and help us learn how we can best serve families within our communities.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW28dJbKULGtVDZAYWAt9B8s1RPlR3Efmou7LKCaDtw_7oyw/viewform
Stanley-Boyd Head Start
Parent Child Activity!!!! We enjoyed a snack and bug hunt at Carson park with our friends today! 🐛 🪳 🛝 Thank you to all that could join us!!!
Turtle Lake Head Start celebrates Earth Day
Our earth day door! Out little hands can do big things! We asked each child how they can help the earth!
Spring pictures at Turtle Lake Head Start!
New Richmond Head Start now enrolling for next program year!
Ruby's Pantry New Richmond upcoming dates: March 21, April 18, May 16
75 Cheap or Free Family Activities!
Stanley-Boyd 4K Registration March 6th at the Boyd Early Learning Center.
Rice Lake Head Start was out at at the Cedar Mall. Our family service staff are now enrolling for Early Head Start and Head Start.
There will be no school for Stanley-Boyd Head Start on February 15th & 16th. Have a nice long weekend and we will see you on Monday the 19th!
