My experience with Head Start began a long time ago when my first-born son attended right here in Klamath Falls. He is thirteen years old now and thriving in seventh grade. Both my husband and I would volunteer in his classroom. I remember his teacher Leslie was so great, she welcomed us into the class with kindness every time. My son just loved her, he enjoyed learning and being there. My husband got a tee shirt for volunteering there and he still has it today, he says it’s his favorite. I always like to know what my kids are doing at school and I loved the welcoming feeling at Head Start.. My other kids started attending a few years later but then we moved so their time there was short lived. I did utilize the bus at that time though and was very thankful for that opportunity. So, all three of my kids have attended Klamath Family Head Start. I would say that Klamath Family Head Start is where my fist sense of community came from here in Klamath.
I recently adopted my two nieces and Rayne the youngest attends to head start now. I am much busier now that I am in school full-time and raising five kids. So having the opportunity to have Rayne at head start is amazing, it helps me and my family so much. She has improved so much during her time there, she is eating better and more, she is learning to socialize and share more. The impact of head start is immeasurable, it is so important for kids at that age to learn the tools they need to transition into grade school. It can be hard on them and on the parents as well. I am very protective and careful with my children so school can be scary for me too, I need to know what is going on and who they are with during the day when I am not there.
So, as you can now see I have some history with head start and I have loved every minute of it. I need it and don’t know what I would do without it. Being a low income gamily I cant afford daycare and like the fact that the kids are learning during the day. I have tried homeschooling too so I know how hard it can be, which makes me respect the teachers and head start workers all the more. I am so happy to have been part of the head start family and thankful for all they have done for me and my children. I am a little sad that this will be our last year though. I will keep you all in my thoughts and I know my kids will too. Thank you.
Sherry