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Parents throughout Oswego County have discovered the benefits afforded children participating in the Oswego County Head Start Pre-K Program.
Now you can help your children discover that experience for themselves by enrolling them now for Head Start’s 2020 – 2021 school year.
A program of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), the Head Start Pre-K Program runs throughout the school year and serves children from each of Oswego County’s nine school districts, at seven centers. Head Start, which enrolls three and four-year-old children, provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to children and their families. The Head Start Pre-K Program, focuses primarily on low income families, and is offered at no cost to families and is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year.
Since 1992 the Head Start Pre-K program has prepared thousands of children to successfully begin Kindergarten. “The Head Start Pre-K program is focused on school readiness,” said OCO Head Start Health and Family Coordinator Toni Ross. “Using a research based curriculum that follows NYS Pre-K learning standards, our early education teachers use a variety of hands-on learning experiences that include the concepts of math, science, and literacy, combined with active play and nutritious snacks that assist children in developing academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Each Head Start Pre-K classroom has a teacher with either a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in education, a teaching assistant, and a classroom aide to provide a small teacher-child ratio. Family advocates and a nurse are also on staff to work closely with parents and caregivers and provide them with information, support, and other services.
Recognizing that parents are a child’s first and primary teacher, Head Start encourages parents to be involved in all areas of their children’s education. The program offers parents the opportunity to share in the Head Start experience. Through volunteering, being involved with parent committees and attending education workshops, parents are engaged in their children’s education.
“Head Start teaches children how much fun learning can be, how to work together as a team and the importance of responsibility” added Ross. “Reliable studies have found positive long-term effects with lower rates of grade repetition and special education placement, as well as increased high school graduation rates for Head Start graduates. Head Start children are also significantly more likely to attend college than their siblings who did not attend Head Start. I encourage parents seeking a quality pre-kindergarten program for their three or four year old children to discover the benefits of the Head Start Pre-K program.”
OCO’s Head Start Program will be accepting applications at the following locations:
- Fulton Municipal Building, 141 South First Street.
Tuesday, March 31st - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Catholic Charities, 808 West Broadway, Fulton
Wednesday, April 29th - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - West Monroe, (North Shore) Life Church, 2363 State Route 49
Friday, April 3rd – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Oswego, 45 East Schuyler St. (Fort Ontario)
Wednesday, April 1st – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 24th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Phoenix, Discovery Learning Ctr., 80 Count Route 59
Thursday April 2nd – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 29th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Williamstown, William Britton Community Center, 2910A County Route 17
Thursday, April 2nd 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 30th 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
All applicants must bring: Child’s birth certificate and insurance cards and proof of 2019 income (taxes, W-2’s, budget sheets, pay stubs, etc.)
For more information about Head Start or to apply for the 2020-2021 school year visit www.oco.org/education or call 315-598-4711 or 1-800-359-1171 to schedule an appointment.
Did you know? A private, non-profit agency, OCO’s many programs touch the lives of approximately 16,000 Oswego County residents each. One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO employs more than people and boasts a volunteer force of 1200. OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives. For more information, visit OCO's website at www.oco.org. Now you know ... it’s OCO!
