Kentland Rotary January 23 Head Start

The Kentland Rotary Club got a “Head Start” on 2012 with the program presented by KIRPC (Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission) Head Start Director Belinda Gutwein and Ms. Wanda Knochel Translator/Interpreter for the Goodland Head Start Program.  The program serves eligible low-income children ages 3-4 in a preschool setting with emphasis on school readiness skills.   Twenty students are served at the Goodland site with an additional 34 students enrolled at the Roselawn site.   The student’s day begins at 9:30 and ends at 1:30 pm Monday through Thursday.   KIRPC operates Head Start Programs in Jasper and Pulaski counties also.   All of the KIRPC sites served a total of 170 children were served during 2011.  There were 135 families below the100% poverty level and there were 80 two parent families and 76 single parent families in 2011 programs.    Head Start is federally funded program for low income children and their families.  It began in 1965 as part of the “War on Poverty” under the Johnson Administration.  The children’s health and nutrition needs are support while enrolled in the program. Ms. Monjon works with the Family Services program providing translation and family engagement in the education program.   Parents are expected to volunteer with classroom support time and are involved in the decision making process of KIRPC Head Start.  Ms. Gutwein and Ms. Monjon were guests of Rotarian Chris Knochel. 

The February 6^th Rotary meeting will feature a representative of the Purdue Wrestling Program and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to contact John Frischie at219-474-6483 for details.