NRCA_AnnualRep17-18

Program Highlights: In June 2017, New River Community Action Head Start received supplemental funding from the Office of Head Start under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 for longer service duration to forty percent of children enrolled in center-based classrooms. Children in seven of NRCA Head Start’s nineteen classrooms received duration services equivalent to a full school day and full school year. Duration classrooms located at Narrows Head Start, Pearisburg Head Start, Christiansburg Head Start, McHarg Elementary School, Pulaski Head Start, and New River Community College Early Learning Center Head Start benefited working families and families continuing their education or participating in job training. During the 2017-2018 Program Year, New River Community Action Pulaski Head Start moved to a new location. The beautiful new facility, located at 1520 Bobwhite Boulevard, serves seventy-six children in four classrooms. To enhance learning, two of the four classrooms open directly onto an outdoor learning area and playground. JWB Construction of Dublin, Virginia worked closely with NRCA Head Start staff to create a high-quality early childhood environment that promotes early learning and positive outcomes for children. Also, slots for NRCA Head Start children and families in the Floyd County Public School braided Virginia Preschool Initiative/Head Start classroom moved from Floyd Elementary to Check Elementary at Copper Hill . Moving the braided classroom to Copper Hill afforded children at the northern end of Floyd county an opportunity to attend a quality preschool. An innovation, VPI/Head Start children at Check Elementary received a Literacy Backpack filled with books, toys, and games to promote literacy and school readiness.

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