Region 9 Head Start
COVID-19 school closure ~ Week 4 ~
Weekly Head Start Humor
Announcements
- Governor Abbott announced today that school would not resume for this school year. But do not fret ~ Head Start will finish strong!!! All teaching, family services, health services, social services and mental health services will continue until your last day of scheduled classes.
- It's Census time! Share this video with your classrooms and encourage all of your parents to complete the census. You could take a survey to see how many of completed the census online.
- March In-kind due 4/15 -drop in google shared drive Head Start In-Kind 2020
- Community Partnerships lists - due 4/17 - email the list to Karen
- Site Report due 4/17 in Child Plus
- Zoom meeting notes: 4/16/20 Zoom Meeting
Upcoming Meetings
- CDA Meeting 4/22/20 @ 9:00am R9 meeting #373219; Zoom: https://esc9.zoom.us/j/843600323
- Policy Council 4/23/20 @ 6:00pm R9 meeting #349429; Zoom: https://esc9.zoom.us/j/249890854
General Resources
- Brush Up on Oral Health resources - lots of great posts on health for you to share with your families.
- Frontline Childcare - allows essential workers to search for child care facilities near them, as well as facility operating hours and the number of seats available.
- Fever and Your Child - English and Spanish handout for families
- Helping Your Child During the Pandemic handout to post for families
- Free TCU Trauma Informed Classroom Training -free until May 30th
Education
- Letter People and DIG Pre-K at Home - an online learning platform that features Dr. Jean's educational videos, The Letter People Songs, The Letter People Games, and a comprehensive Resource section with extensive activities to complete at home.
- Tinkergarden Outdoor Classes and Activities
- Free Webinar from Frog Street 4/28 or 4/30: At-Home” Teaching and Learning with Young Children
- Frog Street Online!!!! Everyone is so excited about this one!! Please send to all parents. You have to sign up for a free account but all that is needed is an email address. It is super easy.
Family Services
- Food Bank Kids Cafe - They are distributing Power Packs at Walmart on Greenbriar and Floral Heights Methodist Church. They are for children ages 1-18. It is a great service, but the numbers have been really low. They are going to discontinue it if they don’t see increased numbers this week. Please post flyer for parents.
From the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund: Many families are in need of the money from the COVID-19 stimulus checks because of layoffs, changes in income, unexpected medical expenses, and other reasons. The IRS has started distributing stimulus checks. Families will get the money much faster if they have an existing bank or credit union account on file with the IRS from 2018 or 2019 tax filing. For families who either don’t have a bank or credit union account at all or don’t have an account on file with the IRS, it’s not too late.
- Step 1: Get your bank or credit union account number. If you don’t already have an account, you can open a safe and affordable certified Bank On account online or explore other bank or credit union account options that match your needs.
- Step 2: Visit the IRS’ website page on Economic Impact (stimulus) payments and sign up with your account number.
Families may not have bank accounts for various reasons. CFE Fund created a tip sheet on engaging with unbanked families during COVID-19 and assisting them in reaching their financial goals.
- United Way community resource list
Mental Health / Conscious Discipline
- Free Social/Emotional App - Trigger Stop: Sensory and Emotional Check-In for 3-8 year olds. She also provides a free video on how to use the app.
- Crisis Text line - Text HOME to 741741
- National Center for Traumatic Stress Network - Free handouts for staff and parents on how to talk to children about COVID-19
- Conscious Discipline website - new resources added several times per week. Webinars for Visual Morning Schedule, Visual Morning Message
R9 Head Start Resources website
Region 9 Instructional Support website
My Peers website
Region 9 Head Start
Education Manager/Coach: Sharon.West@esc9.net
ERSEA Manager: Courtney.Cooner@esc9.net
Family Services/Mental Health: Karen.Yell@esc9.net
Family Services/Mental Health: Ann.Hicks@esc9.net
Fiscal: Carla.Rogers@esc9.net
Email: stacey.jurecek@esc9.net
Website: esc9.net/headstart
Location: 301 Texas 11 Loop, Wichita Falls, TX, USA
Phone: 940.322.6928
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @region9esc