March 2015 CESA #11 Head Start, 225 Ostermann Drive, Turtle Lake, WI 54889 Volume 10 Issue 6

Communication Link

Over a year ago, I made the decision to retire at the end of the 2014-15 program year. This decision was not made lightly as Head Start has been a part of my life for over 30 years. However, before I let myself make a list of “retirement plans’ that include: spending endless hours with my grandkids, more fishing trips to our “happy place”, expanding the garden and flower beds, and enjoying home improvement projects with my best friend, who happens to be my wonderful husband; my first and foremost plan was to ensure that the CESA #11 Head Start Program was left in good hands.

I discussed my succession plan with Jerry Walters, CESA #11 Administrator and the CESA #11 Board of Control and upon their approval, I approached Sheri Norgard, Family Services Coordinator and Beth Tilleson, Children’s Services Coordinator to ask them to take my place as co-directors of the Head Start Program. They both eagerly and graciously accepted this opportunity.

The succession plan was then brought before Policy Council for their approval and on to the Head Start Regional Office in Chicago for review. In February, 2014 the transition of leadership was thoroughly discussed during a two day Strategic Planning session, which resulted in several follow-up actions to include the development of a transition timeline, co-director job descriptions that clearly define the roles and responsibilities, and a yearlong schedule of transition meetings to train and inform Sheri and Beth on every aspect of Head Start management and oversight. These meetings have taken place every other Friday for a year now and include insight and information from Sheryl Rasmussen, Program Systems Coordinator, Wendy Marek, Human Resources Coordinator, Victor Drost, Business Manager, and other office staff members and coordinators based on subject matter.

There is no doubt in my mind, and more importantly in my heart, that Sheri and Beth will successfully lead the CESA #11 Head Start Program with integrity and compassion, ensuring that all enrolled children and their families will continue to receive comprehensive, high quality services for many years to come.

Sharon Glessing, Director

It’s Been a Great Ride!

Family Services Credential

The 2015 Family Service Credential (FSC) class is well underway! This year there are 17 participants, and the class is being offered for credit through the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. We are very excited that Barron County Birth to Three is joining us sharing their knowledge and expertise with the group.

The Family Service Credential is comprehensive, competency and credit-based training experience, designed to support direct service staff in their work with families. The Credential was originally created by the Portage Project, based on the collective experience of staff working with families. The FSC content is: Strength-Based - focusing on strengths of children, families and staff to build relationships and guide intervention; Ecological - considers the larger environmental context in which children and families exit; Family-Centered - families guide the work and are the primary decision makers; Relationship-Based - all learning occurs within the context of relationships, and; Reflective - taking time to think individually and collectively about the work with families, how it influence how we feel and how it influences interactions.

Professional Development Opportunities

Enhance the Richness of our Work!

Participant Sharing

Instructors, Beth Tilleson and

Sheri Norgard, brainstorming

Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection & Enrollment Training

(ERSEA)

Over 60 staff attended the annual ERSEA training at Turtle Lake. New Federal guidelines were released on February 10th clarifying Head Start eligibility. Staff were able to get the news hot off the press and begin incorporating the new standards immediately.

CRP/First Aid Refresher

Active Shooter Training

In December, Officer Anthony Grimm and Deb Peterson, both from Polk County, provided basic training on ALICE to the Children’s Services Coordinators, Teachers and Center Directors. ALICE stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuation, and is a new way of responding to active shooters in schools.

This summer all Head Start Center Directors will complete a two-day ALICE train-the-trainer course. This will provide Head Start the opportunity to train all staff, as well as update policies, procedures and safety plans.

Cheri Jacobson, Children’s Services Coordinator

The annual First Aid and CPR refresher training was held

following the ERSEA training. Thanks to Brandi Warner for making the training

interesting and interactive!

Colfax Head Start parents came up with words to express what Head Start

means to them.

On Friday, February 20th, 2015 Attorney Lisa Reiter and her assistant, Erika, from the GAM Law Firm in Minnesota, conducted an Immigration Workshop for staff that currently work with enrolled Hispanic children and their families. Topics discussed were Immigrants’ Rights, The President’s Immigration Executive Decision, and Visas and Petitions. Information was provided to assist with immigrants finding appropriate work, healthcare, and community services.

A big “Thank You” to Brianna Jimenez, Menomonie Head Start Interpreter, for arranging this valuable educational opportunity and to Maria Guerrero, an enrolled Head Start parent for making two traditional desserts, chocoflan and pastel de tres leches.

Carrie Lecheler, Family Services Coordinator

Immigration Workshop

Cheri and Carrie show their Falcon spirit while representing CESA 11 Head Start at the UW River Falls Opportunities Fair.

They were able to showcase the numerous employment, volunteer, intern, and student teaching opportunities that CESA 11 Head Start offers.

Carrie Lecheler, Family Services Coordinator (L) and Cheri Jacobson, Children’s Services Coordinator (R)

Families from the Chippewa Falls Head Start center visited the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center where they were able to jump, slide, play soccer, and climb through tunnels and tents! The event was sponsored by the Parent Committee. Many of the children did not want to leave! This was a great way to run off energy, and have fun with friends!

Kristin Karnes-Frederickson, Home Visitor

Welcome to Melinda Simon our new Family Services Coordinator. Melinda will be providing reflective supervision and training to the Family Resource Providers beginning in July 2015.

Melinda has worked for CESA 11 Head Start as an Early Head Start Home Visitor for over 11 years. Prior to her career at CESA 11, Melinda worked for 5 years at West Cap as an infant/toddler specialist. Melinda has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, with a concentration in Child Development, from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. In addition, Melinda has received her Infant and Toddler Credential.

Sheri Norgard, Assistant Director/Family Services Coordinator

Miss Melissa’s three-year-olds at the Dallas Head Start Early Learning Center have been learning all about Mat Man! We started building him and learning what all his different parts help him do: think, eat, see, listen, etc.

Melissa Larson, Three-Year-Old Teacher

“Tiny Tots Museum Visit by Stanley-Boyd Early

Head Start!”

Tiny Tots is an interactive playhouse specifically designed for small children to bring their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Through imaginative play, little ones can freely wander and interact in an array of many custom built "hands-on" play station areas. Kari Roshell, Home Visitor

Ten tiny little fingers that always want to play…

that never stop exploring the wonder of today.

Ten tiny little fingers that from the very start…

will reach out for tomorrow, yet always hold your

heart. ~ Author Unknown

The Pepin County Head Start Home Visit Program was welcomed to the Durand Public Library for a socialization in January. The Librarian highlighted the children’s section, which included bilingual books, and several adults read to the group!

Kate Manning, Home Visitor

Cornell families enjoyed a “drive-in” movie night in January. Each family picked out a cardboard box that they could make into a vehicle of their choice. They used various supplies at the center to decorate their vehicles, even cut out the windows. This event was a nice compliment to the “recycling” theme in the classroom, and also met the criteria of the Head Start Cardboard Challenge.

Melody Peloquin, Center Assistant

Educational Benefits

Benefits of Head Start & Early Head Start

Programs

Health Benefits

Economic Benefits

Production/Layout: Laurie Campbell, Program Secretary

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

Cornell Families Enjoy "Family Fun

Movie Night"

Sunday, March 8 Spring Ahead!