Preschool program doesn't miss a beat with move to MES
Sports reporter
After just two months in their new digs, the staff of Marion Head Start is pleased with the results.
The program, which is for children ages three to four years old who meet income requirements, moved this fall to an empty class room at Marion Elementary School. Previously, the pre-school program was in a building on South Third Street.
"It's been really smooth," Jennifer Brown, the family advocate for the program, said of the transition. "The kids that were here last year, it really hasn't been a change for them."
Head Start actually began in a different room at MES, but 10 years ago they had to move because of expanding enrollment at USD 408.
Now they are back because of declining enrollment.
Brown, new teacher Lesli Beery, and paraprofessionals Jane O'Connor and Alexis Koop, all attributed the fact that everyone involved has made the transition smooth.
"Everyone's really accepted us here. It's been wonderful," Beery said.
That includes all the teachers, faculty, parents, and anyone else involved. It all was possible said Brown, because Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education gave approval this past summer.
"I think more than anything we are appreciative to the school board for letting us come up here," Brown said. "[Superintendent Lee Leiker] has really made us feel at home with [USD] 408."
A smooth move
Although the Marion program is a satellite version of the McPherson USD 418 branch, all the students flow into USD 408 once they reach kindergarten.
Right now the students, 16 in the morning session and 17 in the afternoon, are right across from the kindergarten classrooms they will soon be attending. Beery said that has been an advantage for the Head Start students.
"They've already used lockers, practice being quiet in the hall, and have been in the building," she said "It also gives the students and kindergarten teachers a chance to meet and see each other before they have class together."
On top of that, parents who have students in the program and at MES, can pick up both of them with one stop.
"We even have a parent that works in the school and comes every day for lunch," Beery said. "That's just awesome that we have a mom in here every day."
Despite moving, the program, which is in session Monday through Thursday, hasn't changed much. There are now a few spots for children of a higher income, called peer spots, but the curriculum did not change.
Even the meals remain the same, although according to O'Connor the kitchen staff has to do more work.
Before the staff transported frozen meals to the previous location and they were cooked at the building. Now, the staff cooks the meals and portions the food which must be approved by a nutritionist who works out of McPherson.
"They have been great," O'Connor said of the kitchen staff.
Even the playground equipment has stayed the same. The staff had the equipment brought up to the school grounds this past summer. Marion High School teacher Lucas King had his construction technology students put together the equipment during community service day in September. The staff at Head Start appreciated the help.
"It surprised me," O'Connor said.
A success
Right now Brown is working on organizing events to help the children receive presents for Christmas.
"We rely solely on volunteers," Brown said.
They are required to have a "Family Night" once a month, which could include bowling, a party, or any kind of get-together. Since the program is federally funded it cannot charge for events. They do ask for donations when possible.
"We're not asking for huge donations," O'Connor said.
Brown said a woman in town unaffiliated with the program knitted 33 hats for the children to have during the winter. She did roughly one per night.
Necessities are what the children need for Christmas, or anytime for that matter. However, so is a good education, and the four women of the Marion Head Start branch think the move has helped with that goal.
They know without the help of the board of education, parents, MES staff, and MES principal Mr. Garman, it would not be possible.
"Mr. Garman came in knowing we were coming whether he liked it not," Brown said with a laugh. "And he's been great."
