Parent Interview

     I talked with a parent who has a son in our program at this time. He also had a son in the program last year, and the year before that. He is a member of the parent board, and is concerned about the changes coming to Head Start for the 2012-2013 school year. He has just recently finished schooling to become a police officer. He knows the importance of an education, but he does not feel that it is fair to replace teacher's who have been with the Head Start program for several years. He feels that even though these teacher's lack the college education experience, they have the on the job experience. He also knows the Head Start program provides trainings about how to take care of children, and the families.
     He is a father who comes in the classroom to volunteer when he can. He reads with his son, and will do puzzles with him. He advocates for our program by being a member of the parent council. They meet to discuss ways of providing educational learning trips for the children, ideas for educational activities to incorporate into the classroom environment, and family gatherings that provide cultural/educational learning.
     An example of a family gathering that provides cultural/educational learning would be our annual winter dance. Last year we sent home different colors of construction paper, and encourage the parents to work with their families to come up with a heritage flag. The families did an awesome job. We had flags from Spain, England, Italy, America, Germany, etc. Also, we picked a multicultural book about families to read during the get together. Finally, we had different multicultural foods to serve at the dance. The parents get together to come up with these ideas for family gatherings, and they come and help us teachers set-up, and take down the decorations for the family gathering.
     Finally, some of the parents in the past, and the parents of now, have advocated for our program by sending letters to our congressmen. They have also gone to our capital in Madison to speak about our program. We have had legislators in the past tour our center, and other Head Start centers. I feel we need to do this again, especially now when the economy is such at a low. We had heard that a center close to us had a legislator come in and visit their center. This is such an important way to advocate for our program. The legislators can actually see proof of how we prepare children for school readiness skills.

Interview of an Administrator

I interviewed the Program Coordinator for our Head Start center. We gathered for a monthly center meeting, and the topic of discussion was about a recent meeting she had attended. Ironically enough the subject I picked for my research paper is the hot topic for the upcoming school year. I didn't even realize this when I picked the subject out. The big thing is for the staff to prove they are teaching the children what they are learning from college, trainings, and other classes. This especially being school readiness skills. She gave me a sheet of what Head Start's goals are for school readiness skills. I will share this with you. The following skills are needed:
Social Skills: Able to problem solve, demonstrate empathy, display ability to regulate emotions, be respectful, develop positive self-concept, use friendship skills, resolve conflict. Health Physical Development: Demonstrate self-help skills, demonstrate age appropriate fine motor and gross motor skills, develop healthy hygiene and nutrition habits, exercise. Experiences in Learning: number concepts, science concepts, field trips, sensory experiences, cultural diversity, music, art, drama, and creative movement. Language and Literacy: Demonstrate age appropriate expressive and receptive language. Use good communication skills-including early writing, demonstrates appreciation of books, and displays alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness. Approaches to Learning: demonstrates initiative and curiosity, cooperates with others, displays self-confidence and willingness to try new things.
She also wrapped up the meeting by saying that we may have to reapply for our jobs, or new positions because of what is happening in the government. I just received an e-mail from her today, and we are going to have a special meeting on November 18 to discuss this further with another staff from the administration.