Belpre Head Start new facility open house
New Belpre Head Start building on Thursday afternoon during the open house. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
New Belpre Head Start building on Thursday afternoon during the open house. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
From left, Barb Weaver; lunch assistant, Brenda Moellendick; lunch assistant, Wendi Hamas Williams; assistant teacher, Shannon Bosner; Family Education Advocate, Lisa Adams; teacher, and Rebecca Law; teacher/on-site administrator, pose for a photo in the new Belpre Head Start building during the open house on Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Renovated playground at new Belpre Head Start facility on Thursday afternoon. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
New Belpre Head Start building on Thursday afternoon during the open house. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
New Belpre Head Start building on Thursday afternoon during the open house. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
From left, Barb Weaver; lunch assistant, Brenda Moellendick; lunch assistant, Wendi Hamas Williams; assistant teacher, Shannon Bosner; Family Education Advocate, Lisa Adams; teacher, and Rebecca Law; teacher/on-site administrator, pose for a photo in the new Belpre Head Start building during the open house on Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Renovated playground at new Belpre Head Start facility on Thursday afternoon. The building officially opens Monday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Trending
BELPRE - On Thursday afternoon, the new Belpre Head Start facility held an open house for the opening of the building. The open house was held for families to see the new facility at 1901 Washington Blvd. in anticipation for the opening on Monday.
David Brightbill, executive director of Washington-Morgan Community Action, said the process for establishing a new location has been going on for approximately a year after moving from the Stone Administration building.
"Luckily, we found this (location) that was in need of some renovation which they have done a fantastic job on," said Brightbill.
Rachel Shipley, director of Head Start/Early Head Start, said the process began around April or May of last year and the renovations began shortly after the facility was leased, including the renovation to the playground.
Shipley said the head start program is comprehensive for both children, ages three to five, and families. She said they work with families, setting family goals and assisting the families to move toward self-sufficiency "so they can support their child as they're moving from (head start) to the school district."
"While we do provide preschool services for kids, we also wrap around the child and the whole family," she said.
"I know this has been a long process this summer, but I'm just excited to be engaged with the families, and help them in any way," said Family Education Advocate Shannon Bosner.
Rebecca Law, teacher/on site administrator, has been serving students with the head start for over nine years and is “excited about the new opportunity to be here in this building and to provide resources to our community."
Law said the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and children will be in session from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with breakfast, lunch and a snack provided.
Brightbill said when establishing a new location, he wanted to stay within the Belpre community.
"We did not want to have to leave this community. We've been here forever, and we didn't want to leave," he said.
"It's been a long process, and I just can't wait to hear the sounds of the kids in this room. It'll make it complete," said Shipley.