April 2016

Keep Connected

Contact Opportunities For Otsego at 607.433.8000 or www.ofoinc.org

OFO's mission is to be the leader in developing innovative solutions that promote healthy lives, thriving families and caring communities.

Head Start Works!! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Head Start Health Documents

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Center Activities

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Family Pizza Party

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Farmers Museum

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“The Morris Head Start has helped my child tremendously with becoming Pre-K ready by working with her with identifying letters, numbers, writing her name, singing songs and all around enjoying the school environment of different people and making friends. Thank you for having such a great program!” Amber Lum Morris Head Start Parent

What can Head Start offer your child and family?

Social experiences with peers and other parents Health and development screenings Dental and nutrition education Family fun experiences, both in the classroom and at home Family support and education on topics of interest School readiness skills needed for children to successfully enter Kindergarten

And the best part?? It’s free!!

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HEALTH DOCUMENTS

FOR

HEAD START

Head Start/Early Head Start is here to help you improve and maintain the health of your entire family. Our staff will support you and your family in making sure your child is up-to-date on recommended health care visits, screenings, and immunizations. Your child will also receive regular screenings by trained Early Head Start/Head Start staff to help you monitor their health and development. These small but important steps will ensure your child is in tip-top shape for learning. Being aware of how and when to submit any required documents will help to speed up your accepted child’s start date!

WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO START? After your child has been accepted to the program, you will need to provide;

A physical completed within the last 12 months  A Daycare Statement “Child is free from communicable disease and able to participate in daycare” from your health care provider  A copy of up to date immunization records provided by your child’s health care provider  If you child has a medical condition and/or requires medication there are required forms that you need to obtain from your Family Partner prior to your child being able to start programming 

Please talk to your Family Partner if you need the name of a doctor or help in getting health insurance coverage for you or your child.

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Cooperstown Each week, the children at Cooperstown Head Start go to Clark Sport Center. They go two days a week to the gym, where Scott leads them in games like tag and relay races or they have free time with bikes, balls, hoops and other large muscle equipment.

They also participate in swim lessons once a week with Matt and Brenda. Physical activity enhances children’s gross motor skills and increases their self-confidence.

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Oneonta Oneonta Head Start enjoyed a visit from the Utica Zoo Mobile. The children heard a story about pond animals and were able to meet and touch a duck, tree frog and a box turtle.

Mrs. Guenther’s class enjoys a tea party!

Ms. Baker and the Toddler class do the crab walk at one of their many trips to Body by Stacy.

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Worcester

On March 2nd the children were asking what a Mardi Gras was. The staff showed them some pictures on their I-pads and asked the children if they would like to have a Head Start Mardi Gras. The children chose the activities and made invitations inviting their families to their “Head Start Mardi Gras” which was held on March 24th. They made masks, shakers and jester hats with their families and then participated in a parade. Several of the parents came in early to help set up and stayed late to clean up and have lunch with the children.

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Morris Students at the Morris Head Start Center have been busy learning about transportation and community helpers. The students made their own cars, roads and towns.

On April 7, Trooper Grunder made a special appearance to talk about what he does and educate the students about safety. Morris Head Start held a special celebration for the 100th day of School on March 15th. Parents were invited to join the class for a “Spring Fling” when students came back to school after Easter. They made several spring crafts and participated in other spring activities. Now that spring is here, students are starting to learn about food and where it comes from. They have planted seeds and are anxiously waiting for them to sprout. They are learning that some food grows on trees, some under ground, and some above ground.

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SUCO Miss Karasik’s class explores mixtures and colors

Miss Smith’s class does small group time to focus on fine motor skills.

The Bugbee classroom got a visit from a parent to teach the class about Japanese culture. The children learned that Konichiwa means “hello” and Sayonara mean “goodbye.” They practiced saying both words while singing a Japanese children’s song. She also shared the book The Paper Crane and the children practiced Origami. They folded paper to create dogs, cats, and cups. They did a fantastic job!

Bugbee

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Unadilla Cooperative Extension presented Junior Chef Camp to our children and families. Children followed a recipe to create veggies and dip.

Schenevus Tara Benson from Sidney Federal Credit Union gave the Schenevus Head Start children goody bags with savings banks after her presentation, “Watching Savings Grow”. She also planted sunflower seeds with the children to tie in with her presentation.

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Laurens Laurens Head Start took a trip to Hannaford to see how community helpers work in their local grocery stores!

Laurens Head Start recently learned about community helps and transportation. The staff changed part of the classroom into a vets office and a car repair shop.

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Richfield Springs

In Richfield Springs they do lots of fun things. The children play with the parachute, create beautiful art pictures, go on field trips, and play with their friends. They also have special visitors come in to talk about being community helpers.

Milford Milford held a Family Day where children and families worked together to create and race cars from cardboard boxes. Everyone was a winner!

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Family Pizza Party! Giving kids a choice of what they would like to eat is a good way to empower them in their eating habits and is also a fun way to let kids experiment with foods. Having a family pizza party can be a great way to get everyone talking about foods and involved in family meals.

Ingredients 

Topping Ideas



Pitas, flatbread (Naan), or small pizza crusts Your choice of sauce, cheese and toppings get creative, show kids trying new things can be fun! Veggies

Proteins

Sauces

Sweet Peppers Tomatoes Broccoli Mushrooms Cauliflower Spinach Olives Avocado

Grilled Chicken Ham Ground Turkey Pulled Pork Steak Soy Crumbles Black Beans Seafood

Marinara Alfredo Barbeque Hummus Pesto Garlic/Olive Oil Fresh Tomato Enchilada Sauce

Directions     

Prepare (or open) sauces Chop vegetables, cooked meat and other toppings to bite sized pieces Placed assorted veggies, proteins, and sauces on a large table or counter with plenty of Pitas or Naan for crusts Allow each family member to assemble their own pizza (helping kids as needed) Bake on a sheet tray in a preheated oven (or grill) until cheese has melted Submitted by Any Nieves, Dental/Nutrition Specialist

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The Farmer’s Museum and Fenimore Art Museum One of the highlights of the Head Start Program in Otsego County is their continuing partnership with The Farmers’ Museum and The Fenimore Art Museum. For the past 15 years they have enjoyed an ever expanding involvement and participation with the Museums including staff development workshops and classroom visits by Museum Educators.

Starting in 2015, the Museums’ School and Education Programs wanted to highlight The Fenimore Art Museum for families by including some new and engaging opportunities at that location. Last year, everyone was excited to see more than 500 children and adults spend a beautiful spring day exploring all that the Museums have to offer. They are looking forward to this year’s event on May 11, and to working together to make next year even more successful. Submitted by Pat Levis, Education/Disabilities Specialist