September 15, 2014
Head Start classroom openings available
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Openings remain for Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Head Start program for the current school year.
The program serves children and families at five different sites in Jackson and Williamson counties and follows classroom curriculum, assessments and outcomes. Children must be at least three years old by Sept. 1, 2014, but not old enough to attend kindergarten. Children with disabilities, foster children and homeless children receive priority enrollment status.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to attend the ‘Red, White and Blue’ event at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Carbondale Head Start center, 1900 N. Illinois Ave. (U.S. Highway 51 North), just north of the Carbondale Industrial Park. Head Start pupils will be in attendance and state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, will read to the children. For more information on the event, contact Holly Duckworth, Carbondale center director, at 618/453-2440 or at hed60@siu.edu.
Head Start offers three different program options: weekday mornings, weekday afternoons, or all-day sessions during the week. There is no cost for the partial-day programs. Family eligibility and income determine the charge for the full-day program.
Program locations are in Carbondale, John A. Logan College, Malone’s in Carterville, Marion and Murphysboro.
With a change in federal income guidelines, Head Start officials encourage all families with preschool-age children to apply. Free bus transportation is available in designated areas.
The program will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the national program. The SIU program began 43 years ago. To kick off events over the next year commemorating the national program’s start in the summer of 1965, children and staff at SIU’s program in Carbondale will participate in a sing and book reading with guest reader state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, during “Red, White, and Blue Day,” on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
For more information on enrollment opportunities, contact Jamie Wylie, SIU Head Start program services specialist, at 618/453-0766 or at jwylie@siu.edu.