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January 2025 Newsletter

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This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Head Start program!

Learn about Head Start...

Letter from the Director...

Dear Friends, Staff, and Families,

 

We can hardly contain our excitement for what 2025 has in store for us. Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start are brimming with anticipation for the upcoming opportunities!


Back in December 2024, we held a Strategic Planning Community Self-Assessment meeting with fantastic turnout from both community members and staff. During this gathering, we delved into program data, community trends, and our future goals. We have outlined our strategic, program, and school readiness objectives for 2025, which focus on fostering a sense of belonging, enhancing workforce development, boosting mental health initiatives, and ensuring children are prepared for school. Our priority is to cultivate an inclusive culture through activities that welcome all families, initiatives aimed at staff wellness, and professional development for teachers to enrich children’s learning experiences and readiness for kindergarten.

 

We're also ramping up our engagement with community partners like never before. In the upcoming months, we’re thrilled to offer:

 

- A Castleton VTSU/ Arts and Expression class at our Literacy Family Resource, Art & Literacy Center this Spring, enriching our Head Start children's arts education.

- Yo Re Mi yoga and movement sessions for Head Start families, staff, and children, in collaboration with the Vermont Arts Council.

- Teacher training in the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education for all Lead Teachers.

- Circle of Security training for our Head Start educators.

- Monthly playdates at Wonderfeet Kids' Museum for our Rutland community along with complimentary memberships for our families.

- Regular family nights at the Family Resource, Art & Literacy Center featuring movie nights, family meals, and other events.

 

In addition to these innovative initiatives, Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start remain committed to enhancing the health, safety, and development of the children entrusted to our care. We serve more than 2,300 nutritious meals each month, including breakfast, snacks, and lunch. We conduct essential hearing, vision, and developmental screenings for all children in our programs. Moreover, we assist families in accessing vital health and dental services for their children. Our facilities are also thoughtfully designed to foster development, joy, and a love for learning every day.

 

As we anticipate the adventures of 2025, we are eager to learn from our youngest community members about creating a brighter and happier future!

 

-Donna Barrow, EdD

Director, Head Start and Early Head Start Director

- Spotlight -

Strategic Planning: Community Self Assessment


Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Strategic Planning - Self Assessment discussions with community stakeholders and staff.


Topics included:


-The Early Education Workforce

-Belonging & Culture

-School Readiness

-Quality Improvement



See More on Facebook...

-RCHS Happenings-

-Staff Milestones-


Congratulations to staff recognized in December by Community Care Network for celebrating milestones with RCHS!


-5 Years-

Hailey Paschold

-10 Years-

Jessica Christian

John Colvin

-20 Years-

Cynthia Hier

-Winter Fun-

Five Stars!


Our individualized instruction brings imagination to life and empowers confident, creative, caring learners. We are proud to have a 5-STARS designation from the Vermont Child Development Division as a Qualified Pre-K Provider through the Vermont Agency of Education.


Read More...

__________________

-In the News-


We've had great coverage and turnout for our first two Community Playdates at Wonderfeet Kids' Museum in December and January!


The partnership between RCHS and Wonderfeet has been featured in the Rutland Herald, VTDigger, The Mountain Times and on NBC5.


We will offer these free community playdates on the second Wednesday of each month and free memberships for our Head Start families.


Upcoming Playdates are planned for 2:30-4 pm on February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 14th, and June 11th.


Read More...

-Resources-


Annual Report



The 2023-2024 program year report for Rutland Community Programs, Inc. (Rutland County Head Start) is available online.


Read the Report...

Family Handbook



The Family Handbook is a resource about what makes RCHS special with information about program policies and practices.


Find the Handbook Here...

-Work With Us-

Be Part of the Village!


Interested in forming a partnership or collaboration? Fill out our online partnership form or call (802) 775-8225.


Want to make a donation?

Monthly, quarterly, annual, or one-time contributions to Rutland County Head Start are tax-deductible.


Gifts can be made payable to “Rutland County Head Start” and mailed to:

Rutland Community Programs

P.O. Box 222

Rutland, VT 05702


Learn More...

-Play Time-

Thank You Supporters and Volunteers!

Grants

  • The Bowse Trust
  • Building Bright Futures
  • Let's Grow Kids
  • Delta Dental
  • Vermont Arts Council / Vermont Arts Exchange

Donations & In-Kind Support

  • Wonderfeet Kids' Museum
  • Child Plus
  • Hickory Street Housing
  • Operation Dolls
  • Rutland City Schools
  • Salvation Army
  • Goodwill Rutland
  • Teresa and Ethan Berkowitz
  • Michael Drew
  • Ashley Stone
  • Christina Sweet, Tooth Tutor
  • Alan Wilson

Training & Organizational Support

  • Dr. Leigh-Ann Brown, VTSU-Castleton
  • Dr. Lauren Weiss, Maple Leaf/VTSU-Castleton
  • Dr. Angela Sillars, VTSU-Castleton
  • VTSU-Castleton ECE/Special Education Students
  • Vermont Head Start Association Board of Directors

Parent/Policy Council Volunteers

  • Katie Brown, President, Parent Policy Council
  • Stephanie Atwood, Parent Policy Council
  • Winifred Bird, Parent Policy Council
  • Leslie Burg, PhD, Northeastern Emeritus Faculty
  • Samantha Daly, Parent Policy Council
  • Jonathan Gilmore, Maple Leaf Clinic
  • Hannah Hutchins, Parent/Policy Council Member
  • Ariel McCollough, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  • Justin Pomykala, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Health Advisory Committee and Policy Council Member
  • Laure Williams, Parent Policy Council


Rutland Community Programs Board

  • Jay Slenker, Principal, West Rutland School
  • Renee Bousquet, Public Health Services Rutland District Director Vermont Department of Health
  • Erynn Hazlett, Parent Policy Council
  • Tim O’Connor, Certified Financial Planner
  • Shane Protivansky, Attorney
  • Justine Ruhlin, Principal, Northeast Primary School


Contact Us to Get Involved!

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