Open houses set for Head Start, Pre-K Counts programs

Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. will host a series of local open house events during the upcoming weeks for its child and family development programs.

Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. operates pre-school and family development programs that serve children birth to five years of age and pregnant women.

Head Start and Pre-K Counts provide a high quality pre-kindergarten experience to children to prepare them for entrance into the public schools.

Each classroom is staffed with qualified teachers and use an educational curriculum aligned with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Children are regularly assessed to monitor their educational development.

They recognize parents as the primary educator of their child and the most important influence in their lives. Parent involvement is encouraged at all levels.

Early Head Start provides home-based services to families with children birth to age three and pregnant women.

Parent Educators conduct weekly home visits with families that focus on child development, parent-child bonding, health and nutrition and practicing positive parenting skills.

Parent Educators use the Partners for a Healthy Baby Curriculum to assist in guiding their activities with families. Infant/Toddler play times are provided twice per month for families.

Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts are now accepting applications for enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year.

As a way to inform the public about our program and for anyone interested in seeing a classroom or talking to staff, each classroom/site will be holding open houses the following week, April 15 through April 18. (Refreshments and activities will be available).

The classrooms, locations, dates and times of the open houses in the surrounding area are listed below:

Head Start is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. Parents and guardians interested in the program are invited to attend the open house to enjoy a snack, crafts and fun.

• A-C Valley Head Start; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 18 at St. Petersburg Community Center, 144 Church Street, Suite 20, St. Petersburg, Pa. 16054

• A-C Valley Pre-K Counts; 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 at A-C Valley Elementary School, 776 State Route 58, Room 109, Foxburg, Foxburg, Pa. 16036

• Sligo Pre-K Counts; 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 at Sligo Elementary School, 2013 Madison Street, Room 100, Sligo, Pa. 16255

• C-L/Clarion One Head Start; 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 17 at Clarion Elementary School, 800 Boundary Street, Room A-1, Clarion, Pa. 16214

• C-L/Clarion Two Head Start; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 at Presbyterian Church, 700 Wood Street, Clarion, Pa. 16214

• Clarion Site Early Head Start; 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, April 15 at 11304 State Route 322, Shippenville, Pa. 16254

• Clarion Pre-K Counts; 4 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, April 17 at Clarion Elementary School, 800 Boundary St., Room B12, Clarion, Pa. 16214

• Clarion-Limestone Pre-K Counts; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday April 10 at Clarion-Limestone Elementary School, 4091 CL School Road, Room 8, Strattanville, Pa. 16258

• Knox Pre-K Counts; 5 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, April 17 at Keystone Elementary School, 451 Huston Road, Room 111, Knox, Pa. 16232

• New Bethlehem Head Start; 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 15 at 401 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, Pa. 16242

• New Bethlehem Pre-K Counts; 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 15 at 401 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, Pa. 16242

• Rimersburg Head Start; 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 18 at 350 Eccles Street, Rimersburg, Pa. 16248

• Rimersburg Early Head Start; 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, April 15 at Baker Street Church of God, 160 Veteran Street, Rimersburg, Pa. 16248

Everyone is encouraged to take the time to visit a pre-school classroom and learn more about early childhood programs and services.

For more information, call Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. at (814) 849-3660 or toll free at (800) 628-6150.

According to its website, Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, Inc. is a private non-profit corporation that serves as the administrative entity for child and family development programs including Head Start, Early Head Start, Maternal, Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV), Family Literacy, Pre-K Counts, Opioid Use/Substance Use Disorder (OUD/SUD) program, and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP).

Although each of these programs may differ in some respects, each has the organization’s fundamental mission at its core which is to provide comprehensive services to children and families’ operate these programs effectively our agency has established and maintains effective partnerships with other community organizations, child care providers and school districts.