Terrebonne Head Start holds parent seminar

Head Start Administrator Diane Powell called the roll on Friday, not for students but for the parents of 170 students who will enter the parish’s program on Aug 7.

Powell held her 17th orientation for parents at the Dumas Auditorium.

Brittany and Kerwin Schulze said their 3 year-old will be the their second child to enter the program.

“We feel it gave our first child a well rounded and grounded base for him to move into kindergarten,” Brittany said.

Another parent, Jessica Evans, said even though she lives in Gray, she did not mind driving her 3-year-old son to the center in Gibson.

“This is my second orientation. My first was for my 3-year-old son who had autism. This program really brought him out of his shell. I highly recommend it to all parents,” Evans said.

Powell said the parish operates five head start centers – three classes at the Church Street Center, 1116 Church St; two classes at Holy Rosary 121 Rosary Street, one class in Gibson at 5575 Bayou Black Drive, two classes in Schriever at 162 Hwy 311, and two in Senator Circle, at 216 Senator Circle.

“Unfortunately, we do not have transportation down-the-bayou, however interested parents can bring their child or children to Holy Rosary or to any of our other centers,” Powell said.

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children or families, Powell said.

The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government’s Head Start Program is accepting applications for children ages 3 to 5 years from low income families for the current school session. Parents of children with severe disabilities are encouraged to apply. Visit any of these locations to apply.

To be eligible for the current school session, children must be 3 years old by September 30th of that year.

The program does not require, solicit or encourage a fee for participation in the program. In fact, she said Head Start does not allow fees to be charged.

“Setting a regular bedtime routine is an important part of coming to school. Tired children cannot play and learn. Your child will enjoy Head Start more, well rested,” Powell told the parents.

“Send them to school on a daily basis. Not only is attendance at Head Start mandatory, but this will get your child use to a routine when they transition to big school,” she added.

Powell had rules for parents.

“Parents and guardians, please do not come into the Head Start centers in your pajamas or with sagging pants. Please be courteous to the Head Start staff by wearing

appropriate clothing when you come into the centers and classrooms.”

“No vehicles are to be left running and unattended. No children are to be left in vehicles while parents are signing their child in. You will be reported to child protection services,” she said.