News

For the purposes of keeping preschoolers on track, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start program opened in-person services on Wednesday, March 10. Six of the seven managed SIUE Head Start Centers have at least one classroom open for in-person services, according to Carolyn Jason, interim program director. 

“SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start’s goal is to provide as much comprehensive in-person services as possible,” said Jason. “We especially want children who are transitioning to kindergarten, and those with identified specialized needs, to receive these services prior to the end of the school year.” 

In-person classes are being held from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Open classrooms will also have a remote/virtual instructional period from 2:30-4:30 p.m. 

Specifications for in-person classrooms consist of the following:

• In-person services were determined utilizing parent surveys and staff availability. This phase of in-person services and enrollment ranges between 10-35 students per site. 

• Each classroom is staffed with two qualified teaching staff (one teacher and one teacher assistant). As needed, a third staff person, one childcare assistant (CCA), will be assigned to classrooms. 

• Head Start classrooms servicing children from ages 3-5 are providing in-person instruction to a maximum of 10 children, with two qualified teaching staff. The ratio is one teacher per five children. Early Head Start classrooms servicing children from ages 6 weeks-3 years-old have a maximum of five children, with two qualified teaching staff. 

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start managed centers conducting in-person services include:

• Belleville Head Start Center
• Bluffview Head Start/Early Head Start Center
• Cahokia Head Start Center
• Discovery Center Head Start/Early Head Start (SIUE East St. Louis Center)
• Helen Davis Head Start/Early Head Start Center (East St. Louis)
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee (JJK) Head Start Center (East St. Louis) 

“Our reopening planning team, site supervisors and teaching staff have done an incredible job with the preparations for our reunion with children and families,” added Jason. “Our program will continue to be flexible and adapt to any changes in protocols to ensure in-person service are successful.” 

“We have spent a year of social distancing and risking emotional isolation,” added Jason. “It is imperative that we journey back to feeling comfortable with rebuilding physical, social and emotional relationships with our children, families and staff, because when we are emotionally ready, we can be school ready!” 

Classrooms remaining in remote status will have remote/virtual instruction from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families and children birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in 12 early childhood centers, seven managed directly by SIUE staff and five collaborations. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/ dental screenings and family engagement and support activities. 

Photos:
Teacher LaVonne Dew, of Helen Davis Head Start/Early Head Start Center, helps three-year-old Rihyan Gresham put on a face mask. 

Three-year-old Truu Samuels, a student at JJK Head Start Center, identifies colors on the board.