The 2006-07 school year is just around the corner, but summer vacation may last longer for the younger students in Oxford’s Head Start program.
Due to problems with the telephone server at the program’s office at Daniel Axford Elementary, recruitment for the free preschool has been very slow for next year.
‘Even if (parents) could call they couldn’t leave us a message,? said Head Start classroom teacher Karen Riddle. ‘Normally, at this stage in the game we have one spot left.?
Denise Fouracre, the program manager for Head Start, said the program needs 12 more students to enroll in their classroom and three for their homebase program.
Head Start’s homebase program sends a teacher to a home where he or she works with the student and parent. Homebase students are also welcome to come on classroom field trips as well as any class parties, provided their parent is present.
Fouracre said because of a federal mandate put in place last year, the Head Start program cannot begin classes until their full quota is met.
‘Last year, we were full in the classroom, but were short in the homebase program,? she said. ‘So, the homebase program didn’t start for a week or two until we got those final kids.?
She said Oxford’s Head Start program has never had low enrollment in any of their classrooms before.
Head Start is a child development program that serves children to age five and helps them prepare for Kindergarten. The programs overall goal is to increase the school readiness of young children in low-income families.
The Head Start program has been in Oxford for over 30 years.
If you would like to enroll your child into this free preschool, call Head Start at (248) 969-5047.