Million Man event at Head Start promotes involvement

Poplar Bluff Head Start held its annual Million Man Lunch on Wednesday. This event is designed to promote male involvement, said Kelly Johnson, parent, family & community engagement manager.

Fathers, grandfathers and many others from all walks of life came out for the event.

Included here are a few shots from the organization’s full year, early child program at the north facility on Herschel Bess Boulevard. Head Start also operates facilities on Karen Drive.

The programs are operated by South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, which serves more than 700 children and families in a seven-county area.

Children must maintain at least 85% attendance at Head Start programs, according to the organization.

Early Head Start teachers use the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers and Twos and Head Start teachers use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool. Children are screened within 45 days of entry into the program, the group reports.

Any child who has a delay on their screening results is referred to the appropriate agencies for evaluation. The Creative Curriculum Continuumis used as the ongoing assessment tool.

For the preschool program there is one teacher, one teacher aide and one class aide in each classroom with a minimum of 17 children and a maximum of 20. In Early Head Start, there are eight children per room with two teachers and one class aide, according to SCMCAA.