Make Summer Fun and Safe!

Summer is a great time for kids to enjoy different indoor and outdoor activities. Whether they are young children or teens, learn ways to keep your kids safe and healthy while they enjoy the summer fun.

Master water safety

Water-related activities are popular for getting physical activity and have many health benefits. Here are some tips to stay safe while having fun.

• Learn how to prevent recreational water illnesses and help protect yourself and your kids.
• Help kids get H2O Smartzabout water safety.

Drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4, and three children die every day as a result of drowning.

• Always supervise children when in or around water. A responsible adult should constantly watch young children.
• Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills could save someone’s life.
• Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

Recreational boating can be a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Make boating safety a priority.

• Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you and your loved ones are on the water.

Know the signs of child abuse and neglect

We know that child abuse and neglect happens in communities across the country. Child abuse and neglect affect everyone, whether your area is rich or poor, urban or rural, in California, Texas or Maine. Because of this, all parents should know the signs of child abuse and neglect.

There are different warning signs for different kinds of abuse and neglect. However, some indicators can signal abuse in any form. Some of the major signs are when a child:

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance;
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention;
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen;
• Lacks adult supervision; and
• Appears afraid or hesitant to go home after school.

If you think a child is being abused or at risk of abuse, the most important step you can take is to report it. If you suspect a child is being or has been physically abused, please call 1-800-4-A-Child. This is the number for the ChildHelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline, which is staffed 24 hours a day, every day, and is available in 170 different languages. All calls to the hotline are confidential, and by calling you can find more information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. If you need immediate assistance, call 911.

INTRODUCING COR advantage…our guide to your child’ school readiness

At SER Early Head Start we regularly talk about getting your child ready for school, but what does school readiness mean?

COR Advantage is the assessment tool caregivers use to help them look at all aspects of your children’s learning. To complete COR Advantage, your child’s caregiver observes and writes notes about what he or she does and says during the daily routine.  The information you share about what happens at home also helps your child’s caregiver complete a full picture about your child.

Caregivers will begin to use COR Advantage in May.  To monitor children’s growth, we will assess your child 4 times per year.  At the end of each assessment period, your caregiver will create a report to get a profile of your child’s learning.  She will use this information to plan activities for your child.  As a reminder, children at this age learn through hands-on play, not through “school type” lessons.

You will get more information and training about COR Advantage in June.  We look forward to working with you to get your child ready for preschool!!

It is important for your child to attend the program daily.  He/she must attend the program Monday thru Friday for a minimum of 6 hours a day to benefit from the learning opportunities that prepare him/her for pre-school and to retain enrollment in the program.The Office of Head Start expects children to be present at least 85% of the time.    We will award a $20.00gift card from Walmart to families that have children with Perfect Attendance, until funds are exhausted.

The Grand Prairie Workforce Center is hosting a hiring event on Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 from 10:00am-12:00pm.

The following employers will be featured:

JP Energy-Pinnacle Propane                  Automation Personnel Services

Childcare Careers                                 Enterprise Concrete Products

G2 Secure Staff                                    Intermountain Staffing

A word from Araceli Paniagua, EHS Director

You will start receiving a daily Parent Communication Folder.  The folder will have to two sections. On the left side, are forms/documents that you will return to the center and the right side will contain documents that you may keep for your records.  Samples of items that you can expect to receive are:

• Parent Engagement Activity Log
• 2016-2017 EHS-CCP Calendar
• Financial Literacy Presentations Calendar
• Menus
• SER-EHS Monthly Newsletter

Your time is very valuable.  Please help us by documenting your in-kind contributions on the Parent EngagementActivity Log.  Your child’s teacher will send this form on Mondays for you to record learning activities (Monday-Thursday) that you complete daily with your child.  Please record time spent each day, sign and return the form on Friday.

Parent Meeting:

June 29, 2017

4:00 – 5:00

Little Coyote Learning Center

1100 N. Carrier Parkway

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Phone: 972-522-2978

Hours of Operation:  6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.