December 2024 Newsletter

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RCHS Recognized at National Conference


Our own Donna Barrow and Missy Burke were recently honored to present at the largest early childhood education conference in the world about our innovative partnership with VTSU-Castleton!

Read More...

Letter from the Director...

Teamwork is what makes the dream work!


Collaboration is key to any successful community organization - and we have benefited from so many new partnerships since I started here just two years ago.


In addition to our ongoing nationally recognized partnership with VTSU-Castleton's Early Childhood program, thanks to the Vermont Arts Council/ Vermont Arts Exchange, we will now also begin offering yoga classes for our students this spring; the Building Bright Futures Vermont Early Childhood Education Fund (VECF) has chosen us for a large grant to provide Reggio Emilia training for our talented teachers; and our new partnership with Wonderfeet Kids' Museum will provide museum memberships for all of our families as well as monthly playdates for the entire Rutland community.


As we head into the holiday season, we are giving thanks for this outpouring of community support and looking ahead to a fantastic new year!


-Donna Barrow, EdD

Director, Head Start and Early Head Start Director

- Partnership & Funding Spotlights -

Wonderfeet Kids' Museum


RCHS and Wonderfeet Kids' Museum have announced an amazing new partnership to benefit the entire Rutland community!


Starting December 11th, our two play-based early childhood organizations will co-host monthly Community-Wide Playdates from 2:30-4 p.m.on the second Wednesday of each month through June.


We will also be providing Wonderfeet memberships for our Head Start and Early Head Start families.


The collaborative effort is part of our enhanced focus on community outreach and expanded family services headed by our Family Services Manager, Kristen Nugent.


For more information on partnerships opportunities, call (802) 775-8225 or email knugent@rmhsccn.org.


Read More on Our Blog...

Building Bright Futures

We are so excited to receive one of the Building Bright Futures Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF) Opportunity Grants for Fall 2024!


This fund supports creative solutions that improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period through age eight, their families, and the Vermont communities in which they live.


This $60,000 grant will greatly expand the quality of training available to our dedicated team of Early Childhood Educators and support partnerships to prepare, attract, and retain the most qualified educators for the Rutland region!


Read More...

Be Part of the Village!


Interested in forming a community partnership or another in-kind collaboration? Fill out our online partnership form, call (802) 775-8225 or email knugent@rmhsccn.org.


Want to make a year-end donation?


Monthly, quarterly, annual, or one-time contributions to Rutland County Head Start are tax-deductible.


Gifts can be made payable to “Rutland County Head Start” and mailed to:

Rutland Community Programs

P.O. Box 222

Rutland, VT 05702


Learn More...

-RCHS Happenings-

-Strategic Planning-


We hold our annual Strategic Planning Self-Assessment on Dec. 5, 2024.


Community stakeholders' participation is always crucial as we engage in planning about topics critical to our program, our community, and the field of Early Childhood Education.


Topics Covered:


  • The Early Childhood Education Workforce
  • Belonging and Culture
  • School Readiness
  • Program Quality Improvement


To share input, contact Donna Barrow at dbarrow@rmhsccn.org.

-Fall Fun-

Five Stars!


Our individualized instruction brings imagination to life and empowers confident, creative, caring learners. We are proud to have a 5-STARS designation from the Vermont Child Development Division as a Qualified Pre-K Provider through the VT Agency of Education.


Read More...

__________________

-RCHS Spooktacular-


More than 100 members of our staff, students and families joined us to walk in the 63rd Annual Rutland Halloween parade on October 26th!


Then on October 28th, our students and families joined us at the Meadow Street location for a ton of Halloween themed fun

-Resources-


Annual Report Now Available



The 2023-2024 program year report for Rutland Community Programs, Inc. (Rutland County Head Start) is now available online.


Read the Report...

Family Handbook



The Family Handbook is a resource about what makes RCHS special with information about program policies and practices.


Find the Handbook Here...

-Work With Us-

-Play Time-

Thank You Supporters and Volunteers!

Grants

  • The Bowse Trust
  • Building Bright Futures
  • Let's Grow Kids
  • Delta Dental
  • Vermont Arts Council / Vermont Arts Exchange

Donations & In-Kind Support

  • Wonderfeet Kids' Museum
  • Child Plus
  • Hickory Street Housing
  • Operation Dolls
  • Rutland City Schools
  • Salvation Army
  • Goodwill Rutland
  • Teresa and Ethan Berkowitz
  • Michael Drew
  • Ashley Stone
  • Christina Sweet, Tooth Tutor
  • Alan Wilson

Training & Organizational Support

  • Dr. Leigh-Ann Brown, VTSU-Castleton
  • Dr. Lauren Weiss, Maple Leaf/VTSU-Castleton
  • Dr. Angela Sillars, VTSU-Castleton
  • VTSU-Castleton ECE/Special Education Students
  • Vermont Head Start Association Board of Directors

Parent/Policy Council Volunteers

  • Katie Brown, President, Parent Policy Council
  • Stephanie Atwood, Parent Policy Council
  • Winifred Bird, Parent Policy Council
  • Leslie Burg, PhD, Northeastern Emeritus Faculty
  • Samantha Daly, Parent Policy Council
  • Jonathan Gilmore, Maple Leaf Clinic
  • Hannah Hutchins, Parent/Policy Council Member
  • Ariel McCollough, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  • Justin Pomykala, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Health Advisory Committee and Policy Council Member
  • Laure Williams, Parent Policy Council


Rutland Community Programs Board

  • Jay Slenker, Principal, West Rutland School
  • Renee Bousquet, Public Health Services Rutland District Director Vermont Department of Health
  • Erynn Hazlett, Parent Policy Council
  • Tim O’Connor, Certified Financial Planner
  • Shane Protivansky, Attorney
  • Justine Ruhlin, Principal, Northeast Primary School


Contact Us to Get Involved!

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