Directors Spot The Improvement Association Feb. - April 2014 Edition Directors Spot Shikee Franklin Directors Spot Shikee Franklin Executives Corner Rufus Tyler Executives Corner Rufus Tyler To be the catalyst that enhances the quality of life in communities through comprehensive initiatives, advocating change and empowering people to become self-sufficient. HAPPY SPRING! February through April has been extremely busy! I hope that this newsletter (and finally the warmer weather) finds you all rejuvenated and ready to really push forward as we close out another successful year. Please continue to monitor your classrooms for health and safety. We are building partnerships and taking advantage of several new and exciting opportunities. I am extremely confident in our program and it takes ALL OF US to become that CENTER of E XCELLENCE! Shikee S. Franklin, Head Start Director The Improvement Association had a successful strategic planning session with the Board, Policy Council and Administrative staff, there was over 35 people in attendance. Among the major categories discussed was How do we continue to move families to become self sufficient? To accomplish this we need to increase accountability even on the governance level. A major initiative is to create a greater awareness to the contributions the agency makes in the community. Therefore the Board has endorsed Administrations proposal to develop an Outreach/Marketing plan to create awareness to services we provide and outcomes in the community. We appreciate staff continued commitment to strive for excellence in all operations.

Program Manager ~Nikki Newsome~ Thank you to everyone that supported the newsletter this month. I think this has been one of the BEST!!! Please continue to support an send me your outcomes, success stories, reminders and more. Teachers please be sure to notify FCPCs of any 3 day absences. All Teachers should be using the new USDA material if not please notify me so I can get the correct forms to you. Accuracy is a MUST. Monthly Reports are due by the 5 th or sooner. (The sooner the better ) Please be sure to clear your DAILY. You need to clear the inbox, sent and trash. Anything you wan to save please save it to your computer and delete it from your . February Barbara Shell 4 th Rufus Tyler 13 th Helen Shaw 23 rd Linda Bailey 25 th March Ginger Wrenn 22 nd Stephanie Traylor 23 rd Rudolph Drake 23 rd April Jackie Ricks 2 nd Faye Perkins 9 th Anquanette Morgan Rhodes 10 th Sybil Mortez 11 th Terri Davis 15 th Travis Allen 26 th Academic Updates Surry Picture Day ……….………………..…………14 th Dinwiddie Picture Day..……………………………20 th Sussex D Picture Day..……………………………..20 th Shiloh/Greensville Picture Day..………………20 th Meherrin-Powellton/Refuge/Red Oak Picture Day..…………………………………………………………20 th Sussex ABC Picture Day..…………………………20 th Update Master Files………………………28 th COR due…………………………………………28 th

CLASSY COACHING TEAM 2014 Picture taken at CLASS Training in Richmond, VA CLASSY COACHING TEAM 2014 Picture taken at CLASS Training in Richmond, VA

The children in Sussex B have been enjoying brainstorming about one of this month's focus "Transportation". Each has had the opportunity to participate with webbing, contributing to graphs of "How Did You Come To School?', in addition to listening to stories about different modes of transportation. A highlight has been, (pictured above), being able to assemble a train track by matching the same symbols. The children showed teamwork and awesome problem solving so they could scream, "All aboard!!!!", at it's completion.

Winter Olympics/Sussex A&B Ice Skating with Ms. Laurie Latham; Librarian

Ms. Traylor & Ms. Scott Dinwiddie We have been busy talking about weather and winter happenings. From Snowflakes to Penguins, Classroom 5 did not let the snow days mess up their classroom winter fun!...

Fathers and Football The Improvement Associations Head Start held their 4th Annual Father/Father Figures Football contest during the course of the NFL season. 132 fathers/father figures from Emporia, Greensville, Brunswick, Sussex, Surry and Dinwiddie participated in the contest by selecting their winning picks for each week and enjoying the game with their children. The goal was for fathers to help the child to understand the different shapes, colors, numbers, cities and states that are associated with the game of football. This also was an opportunity for the fathers to spend quality time with their child and add some excitement to the game that most men love. Each father/father figure received a certificate of participation or trophy during the appreciation breakfast that was held at Golden Corral. During our Male Involvement Breakfast, we conducted a workshop entitled Active Listening. The objective of this workshop was to provide strategies for parents to use effective communications skills with their children and in relationships. Third place winner was Larry Hawthorne of Greensville, Second place winner was Monte' McBeth of Greensville and First place winner was Aaron Stith father of Jazlyn Warren of Surry. Congratulations to all participants. They are all winners. The Improvement Association is now recruiting 3-5 years old for the 2011 – 2012 school year. For more information please contact Elton Broadnax at (434) ext. 231 or Edna Jarrett at (434) ext Thank you Mr. Broadnax & Mr. Jones for your dedications to Male Involvement Football Breakfast

Ms. Onique Givens is a 22 year old young mother of 4 children. Which three children are enrolled in the PAT Program. Ms. Givens enrolled her three boys in the program in October Christian is 2 and she has twin boys Malakhi and Makhi 10 months old. She also has a daughter in the Head Start Program. Ms. Givens is very eager and willing to learn when I come to her for our visits. When Ms. Givens enrolled in the program she was unemployed but a full time student at ECPI in Richmond and working part time. Shortly after enrolling in the program Ms. Givens was in a car accident that left her car totaled, leaving her with no transportation. As a result, she lost her job and also her transportation to and from school. Ms. Givens remained active in the program with her children. We set her goals, which a few of her goals were to get a job by Nov. 23 and car by end of Dec I am proud to say Ms. Givens was hired at Amazon Fulfillment Center in Chesterfield Nov. 16. She said, receiving the news was great. I told her persistence in wanting something is powerful. I was very proud of her and her accomplishment, as she was of herself. She has since purchased a vehicle and looking forward to moving the end of this month. She is also doing great in the PAT Program!! Ms. Onique Givens is a 22 year old young mother of 4 children. Which three children are enrolled in the PAT Program. Ms. Givens enrolled her three boys in the program in October Christian is 2 and she has twin boys Malakhi and Makhi 10 months old. She also has a daughter in the Head Start Program. Ms. Givens is very eager and willing to learn when I come to her for our visits. When Ms. Givens enrolled in the program she was unemployed but a full time student at ECPI in Richmond and working part time. Shortly after enrolling in the program Ms. Givens was in a car accident that left her car totaled, leaving her with no transportation. As a result, she lost her job and also her transportation to and from school. Ms. Givens remained active in the program with her children. We set her goals, which a few of her goals were to get a job by Nov. 23 and car by end of Dec I am proud to say Ms. Givens was hired at Amazon Fulfillment Center in Chesterfield Nov. 16. She said, receiving the news was great. I told her persistence in wanting something is powerful. I was very proud of her and her accomplishment, as she was of herself. She has since purchased a vehicle and looking forward to moving the end of this month. She is also doing great in the PAT Program!! Jarratt/Sussex Success Story Onique Givens Jarratt/Sussex Success Story Onique Givens Parents As Educators/MIECHV The Parents As Teachers Program is currently serving over 30 families in the Emporia, Greensville Co. and Sussex. Our program is rapidly growing and we serve prenatal mothers and families with children from 0-3. We provide our families with socialization opportunities through our Group Connections. This month we will have 2 because one is a make of date for January due to snow. Our first will be Financial Literacy facilitated by Ms. Erica Singleton on 2/11/14 at the agency and our second will be done at the YMCA on 2/25/14 and it is Yo Baby Yoga facilitated by Dr. Robin Jones. Both will be at 1:30. The Parents As Teachers Program is currently serving over 30 families in the Emporia, Greensville Co. and Sussex. Our program is rapidly growing and we serve prenatal mothers and families with children from 0-3. We provide our families with socialization opportunities through our Group Connections. This month we will have 2 because one is a make of date for January due to snow. Our first will be Financial Literacy facilitated by Ms. Erica Singleton on 2/11/14 at the agency and our second will be done at the YMCA on 2/25/14 and it is Yo Baby Yoga facilitated by Dr. Robin Jones. Both will be at 1:30.

Assisting youth to stand out among hundreds of applications to gain an interview. The Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) allows job seekers to do just that. The Career Readiness Certificate is a clear standardized tool to assess the competencies of youth in the workplace skill areas of: Reading For Information, Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information. Attainment of the Career Readiness Certificate will allow our youth to distinguish and certify their skills in the job market and proves to employers that they possess what it takes to be successful. WIA Program

Fiscal/Human Resource To all Employees: We are currently hiring for 2 Family Service Specialist and a Health/Disability Specialist so interviews will be conducted soon. Also, timesheets are due by noon on the Friday before pay day unless otherwise informed. Thanks for your understanding. Free Application for Federal Student Aid Workshop FAFSA Workshop Project Discovery and the Guidance Department of Sussex Central High School Partnered with other organizations to present a FAFSA workshop in the Sussex Central High School Media Center on February 4. The workshop was designed to help parents and students understand the FAFSA application process, the types of financial aid available and how to remain persistent in the pursuit of financial assistance for post- secondary education. Parents and students were given tips for completing the FAFSA online, a list of available aid and the differences between the types of aid. Participants were reminded to pay special attention to deadlines because not all post-secondary institutions have the same Deadline dates for completion and submission of the forms. The workshop was facilitated by Ms Della Wood of the Greater Aspiration Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP), Mrs. Gertrude Taylor, counselor from the Educational Opportunity Center, Virginia State University and Mr. Paul Farrar of the Southside Virginia Tobacco Scholarship Program. Project Discovery and Sussex Central High School will conduct FAFSA Application Sessions every Tuesday during the month of February in the SCHS Media Center from 3:30 to 6:30. These sessions will be designed to assist students and parents with completing the application electronically. For more information contact: SCHS Guidance (434) or William Ricks, Project Discovery (804) / Free Application for Federal Student Aid Workshop FAFSA Workshop Project Discovery and the Guidance Department of Sussex Central High School Partnered with other organizations to present a FAFSA workshop in the Sussex Central High School Media Center on February 4. The workshop was designed to help parents and students understand the FAFSA application process, the types of financial aid available and how to remain persistent in the pursuit of financial assistance for post- secondary education. Parents and students were given tips for completing the FAFSA online, a list of available aid and the differences between the types of aid. Participants were reminded to pay special attention to deadlines because not all post-secondary institutions have the same Deadline dates for completion and submission of the forms. The workshop was facilitated by Ms Della Wood of the Greater Aspiration Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP), Mrs. Gertrude Taylor, counselor from the Educational Opportunity Center, Virginia State University and Mr. Paul Farrar of the Southside Virginia Tobacco Scholarship Program. Project Discovery and Sussex Central High School will conduct FAFSA Application Sessions every Tuesday during the month of February in the SCHS Media Center from 3:30 to 6:30. These sessions will be designed to assist students and parents with completing the application electronically. For more information contact: SCHS Guidance (434) or William Ricks, Project Discovery (804) / Project Discovery

HPP/CSBG In January and July of each year, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office requires each community to count the number of unduplicated sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons in efforts to support strategic planning on behalf of homeless reduction in the country. On Jan 30 th The Improvement Association conducted the count for Greensville/Emporia at the Samaritan Kitchen in Emporia, VA. The count was very successful. We had over 30 individuals to complete surveys. Incentive bags were given to those individuals who volunteered to participate in the count. (See attached Picture ). Other members of the Continuum of Care conducted the count in the other localities in Crater District 19.

Family Community Partnership Staff Davis Lindsey Boisseau parent of Hailey Kachauskas received her Associates of Science from Richard Bland College and will graduate on May 4th. Davis Lindsey Boisseau parent of Hailey Kachauskas received her Associates of Science from Richard Bland College and will graduate on May 4th. Dinwiddie Teachers enjoyed their Easter Egg hunt more than the kids. Way to go Ms Irvin for finding the most eggs!!!

We have one life to live so lets live it to the fullest!!!

Information for May Newsletter should be ed by April. 25 th All Staff please submit something to the newsletter: article, reminder, picture with caption, update, etc. Thank You, Nikki Newsome; Program Manager Never get tired of doing little things for others sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts -Unknown We are currently working on obtaining heights and weights in all classrooms. Also please send Mrs. McCain a copy of all IEPs. Our Health Advisory Meeting will be on May 28 th at 12pm at our Emporia office. The topic will be Conquering Obesity.