Head Start
Quarterly Newsletter January—March 2017 January—March 2017
News from the Executive Director I am proud to welcome you to the inaugural edition of the Big Five Newsletter! Our goal with this letter is to keep you advised on a quarterly basis of the services Big Five is providing to the people of Oklahoma. Big Five is on the move! Due to our best practices, we have been blessed with rapid expansion across the state. We are now positioned to be a regional provider of Head Start, Public Transportation, Weatherization, Housing, Aging Services and Emergency Assistance. Big Five is THE Anti-Poverty powerhouse! I hope you will enjoy reading each quarter about the wonderful things the dedicated 300+ employees of this Agency do every day to significantly impact their customer’s lives for the better. For more information about the Agency’s services, activities and employment opportunities, visit us on the web at www.BigFive.org and don’t forget to like us on
Kent Watson Executive Director
Facebook. Always remember… We are Big Five! We are here to serve!
Kent Watson, Executive Director
Helping Our Community Today Have a Brighter Tomorrow
Big Five Community Services, Inc.
Big Five's mission statement - We exist to strength-
1502 N. 1st Ave.
en the educational, social, and economic well-
Durant, OK 74701
being of individuals and families as they move to-
(580) 924-5331
ward independence and self-sufficiency.
www.BigFive.org
Page 1
Jan.—Mar. 2017, we have served
APRIL
•
Chore Program —12
12—Board of Directors Mtg.– Ardmore
•
Emergency Assistance –41
17-27—Head Start Fish-a-Thon
•
Family Caregiver Support—64
20– Southern Oklahoma Services Day—
•
Head Start Children—1,658
Ardmore (Total
children served for the current program year 2016/2017 )
•
Health Promotion—29
•
Homemaker Program —19
•
Outreach Program—148
•
MAY 10—Board of Directors Mtg.—Ada 14—Happy Mother’s Day 18—Happy 52nd Birthday Head Start 23-25—OKACAA Spring Conf.— OKC
RX for Oklahoma Program Prescription Applications—18 Ordered Medications—454
•
Senior Medical Transit—14
•
Transit Rides—29,318
•
Weatherization—4
29—Memorial Day—offices closed
JUNE 1-3—Magnolia Festival—Durant 7-8— CAPLAW Conf.—Denver, CO
14— Board of Directors Mtg.—Durant 18—Happy Father’s Day
www.BigFive.org
Page 2
Bryan Hotel Wins Citation of Merit The Bryan Hotel in Durant, Oklahoma won the Citation of Merit Award. Big Five, Strategic Realty, DH Housing Limited Partnership, and The Hill Firm were selected to receive the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer’s Citation of Merit Award. The award will be presented June 8, 2017, in Oklahoma City. The article below was published in the Durant Daily Democrat on March 22, 2017.
www.BigFive.org
Page 3
Health Promotions Tai Chi Classes Health Promotions started the first Tai Chi classes in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Classes are held at the Pauls Valley Nutrition Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Wellness
Center.
Participants
attending
classes
should see improved physical health that leads to better functioning in daily activities, improved balance, muscle strength, flexibility, mobility, better mental health such as increased self-esteem, and less social isolation. Call toll free 888-439-5331 for information on
It's nothing short of manna from Heaven, that you and your organization, came to my rescue! My challenge came about when my
insurance decided, without conferring with my physician or me, that they wanted to change my medication, to one that only had some 50 side effects, because they no longer wanted to pay for it. On a meager, fixed income, my out-of-pocket, for just my insulin, would have been over $800 per month. I was devastated and had no idea what to do. My niece, that is retired with DHS, told me about you folks and when I spoke with Jennifer, I hardly knew what to think.
When we finished our conversation, I
simply cried and thanked my Lord for this blessing. My journey began and within just short 3 weeks, I had been approved and my insulin was delivered to my Physician's office. The coordination between your office, my Physician and Lilly Cares, was such a smooth transition, I could hardly believe the professional and caring group Rx Oklahoma is. You folks, I believe have simply saved my life. We diabetics in Oklahoma are so blessed for the wonderful assistance given through this community Programs Assistance. To know that, all of us diabetics have to do, is to meet our one time a year deductible and you blessed professionals do the rest. Thank you, one and all, so very much. Be Blessed always, Thalia Ann Hutchins
www.BigFive.org
Page 4
Head Start Attended Ft. Washita Rendezvous The Head Start classes at the Bill Haddock Center in Durant attended the Ft. Washita Rendezvous on March 30th. The students got to travel through the camps where re-enactors explained life on the frontier in the early nineteenth century. The class had a great time and learned a lot of great information.
www.BigFive.org
Page 5
Our Love County Food Bank, located at our Big Five building in Marietta, is part of our Emergency Assistance program that serves our customers. Last year, we served 190 households from our food banks in Big Five. We
continue to partner with the local regional food banks, churches, and other social service agencies to assist individuals and families in need of food assistance.
Marietta Head Start parents and volunteers gathered to make tamales to raise money in support
of the Head Start Program. This was a group effort and a job well done!
www.BigFive.org
Page 6
Through layered learning, Holdenville 3 not only learned about celebrations, but also prepared for their LAP-D assessments by learning how to prepare for a tea party. We had lots of fun from making our own confetti out of colored aluminum foil, to dressing up and even reviewed colors, as we took turns applying eyeshadow to one another. All the children were on their best behavior as
we learned our table manners for a tea party. Thank you to all the parents who attended. It not only touched your child's heart, but it blessed our heart as well. Tammy Golden
www.BigFive.org
Page 7
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration Holdenville HeadStart Holdenville Head Start celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by having cake and dress up day in their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
www.BigFive.org
Page 8
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration Guymon 2 Classroom Head Start Guymon 2 Head Start Celebrated Dr. Suess with dress up week. The kids had a blast! Dr. Suess’s birthday was celebrated on March 2nd along with Read Across America. The week was a fun and successful! The children enjoyed the Dr. Suess books.
www.BigFive.org
Page 9
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Community Services Carter County— Receptionist—Ardmore Love County—PT - Maintenance/Custodian - Marietta Maintenance/Custodian - 7 County Area
Transportation—SORTS Carter County—PT-Flex Van Driver—Ardmore Bryan County—PT-Flex Van Driver—Durant Love County—PT- Flex Van Driver —Marietta
Head Start All Head Start Locations - Substitute Teacher(s) Blaine County - Early Head Start Teacher - Watonga Head Start Blaine County - Cook Aide - Watonga Head Start - 12 Month Position
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 10
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Head Start—continued Blaine County - Teacher Aide - Watonga Head Start Bryan County - Cook Aide - Durant Head Start - JWCDC Bryan County - Teacher Aide - Durant Head Start - JWCDC Canadian County - Early Head Start Teacher(s) - Yukon Head Start Canadian County - Family Advocate Custer County - Teacher Aide - Weatherford Head Start Dewey County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Shattuck Head Start Hughes County - Bus Driver/Custodian Kingfisher County - Teacher Aide - Kingfisher Head Start
Kingfisher County - Cook Aide - Hennessey Head Start Kingfisher County - Early Head Start Teacher - Hennessey Head Start Garfield County - Education Specialist Garfield County - Teacher Aide - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Certified Teacher - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist Woodward County - Early Head Start Teacher - Woodward Head Start Woodward County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Woodward Head Start Woodward County - Cook Aide - Woodward Head Start
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 11
News from the Executive Director I am proud to welcome you to the inaugural edition of the Big Five Newsletter! Our goal with this letter is to keep you advised on a quarterly basis of the services Big Five is providing to the people of Oklahoma. Big Five is on the move! Due to our best practices, we have been blessed with rapid expansion across the state. We are now positioned to be a regional provider of Head Start, Public Transportation, Weatherization, Housing, Aging Services and Emergency Assistance. Big Five is THE Anti-Poverty powerhouse! I hope you will enjoy reading each quarter about the wonderful things the dedicated 300+ employees of this Agency do every day to significantly impact their customer’s lives for the better. For more information about the Agency’s services, activities and employment opportunities, visit us on the web at www.BigFive.org and don’t forget to like us on
Kent Watson Executive Director
Facebook. Always remember… We are Big Five! We are here to serve!
Kent Watson, Executive Director
Helping Our Community Today Have a Brighter Tomorrow
Big Five Community Services, Inc.
Big Five's mission statement - We exist to strength-
1502 N. 1st Ave.
en the educational, social, and economic well-
Durant, OK 74701
being of individuals and families as they move to-
(580) 924-5331
ward independence and self-sufficiency.
www.BigFive.org
Page 1
Jan.—Mar. 2017, we have served
APRIL
•
Chore Program —12
12—Board of Directors Mtg.– Ardmore
•
Emergency Assistance –41
17-27—Head Start Fish-a-Thon
•
Family Caregiver Support—64
20– Southern Oklahoma Services Day—
•
Head Start Children—1,658
Ardmore (Total
children served for the current program year 2016/2017 )
•
Health Promotion—29
•
Homemaker Program —19
•
Outreach Program—148
•
MAY 10—Board of Directors Mtg.—Ada 14—Happy Mother’s Day 18—Happy 52nd Birthday Head Start 23-25—OKACAA Spring Conf.— OKC
RX for Oklahoma Program Prescription Applications—18 Ordered Medications—454
•
Senior Medical Transit—14
•
Transit Rides—29,318
•
Weatherization—4
29—Memorial Day—offices closed
JUNE 1-3—Magnolia Festival—Durant 7-8— CAPLAW Conf.—Denver, CO
14— Board of Directors Mtg.—Durant 18—Happy Father’s Day
www.BigFive.org
Page 2
Bryan Hotel Wins Citation of Merit The Bryan Hotel in Durant, Oklahoma won the Citation of Merit Award. Big Five, Strategic Realty, DH Housing Limited Partnership, and The Hill Firm were selected to receive the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer’s Citation of Merit Award. The award will be presented June 8, 2017, in Oklahoma City. The article below was published in the Durant Daily Democrat on March 22, 2017.
www.BigFive.org
Page 3
Health Promotions Tai Chi Classes Health Promotions started the first Tai Chi classes in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Classes are held at the Pauls Valley Nutrition Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Wellness
Center.
Participants
attending
classes
should see improved physical health that leads to better functioning in daily activities, improved balance, muscle strength, flexibility, mobility, better mental health such as increased self-esteem, and less social isolation. Call toll free 888-439-5331 for information on
It's nothing short of manna from Heaven, that you and your organization, came to my rescue! My challenge came about when my
insurance decided, without conferring with my physician or me, that they wanted to change my medication, to one that only had some 50 side effects, because they no longer wanted to pay for it. On a meager, fixed income, my out-of-pocket, for just my insulin, would have been over $800 per month. I was devastated and had no idea what to do. My niece, that is retired with DHS, told me about you folks and when I spoke with Jennifer, I hardly knew what to think.
When we finished our conversation, I
simply cried and thanked my Lord for this blessing. My journey began and within just short 3 weeks, I had been approved and my insulin was delivered to my Physician's office. The coordination between your office, my Physician and Lilly Cares, was such a smooth transition, I could hardly believe the professional and caring group Rx Oklahoma is. You folks, I believe have simply saved my life. We diabetics in Oklahoma are so blessed for the wonderful assistance given through this community Programs Assistance. To know that, all of us diabetics have to do, is to meet our one time a year deductible and you blessed professionals do the rest. Thank you, one and all, so very much. Be Blessed always, Thalia Ann Hutchins
www.BigFive.org
Page 4
Head Start Attended Ft. Washita Rendezvous The Head Start classes at the Bill Haddock Center in Durant attended the Ft. Washita Rendezvous on March 30th. The students got to travel through the camps where re-enactors explained life on the frontier in the early nineteenth century. The class had a great time and learned a lot of great information.
www.BigFive.org
Page 5
Our Love County Food Bank, located at our Big Five building in Marietta, is part of our Emergency Assistance program that serves our customers. Last year, we served 190 households from our food banks in Big Five. We
continue to partner with the local regional food banks, churches, and other social service agencies to assist individuals and families in need of food assistance.
Marietta Head Start parents and volunteers gathered to make tamales to raise money in support
of the Head Start Program. This was a group effort and a job well done!
www.BigFive.org
Page 6
Through layered learning, Holdenville 3 not only learned about celebrations, but also prepared for their LAP-D assessments by learning how to prepare for a tea party. We had lots of fun from making our own confetti out of colored aluminum foil, to dressing up and even reviewed colors, as we took turns applying eyeshadow to one another. All the children were on their best behavior as
we learned our table manners for a tea party. Thank you to all the parents who attended. It not only touched your child's heart, but it blessed our heart as well. Tammy Golden
www.BigFive.org
Page 7
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration Holdenville HeadStart Holdenville Head Start celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by having cake and dress up day in their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
www.BigFive.org
Page 8
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration Guymon 2 Classroom Head Start Guymon 2 Head Start Celebrated Dr. Suess with dress up week. The kids had a blast! Dr. Suess’s birthday was celebrated on March 2nd along with Read Across America. The week was a fun and successful! The children enjoyed the Dr. Suess books.
www.BigFive.org
Page 9
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Community Services Carter County— Receptionist—Ardmore Love County—PT - Maintenance/Custodian - Marietta Maintenance/Custodian - 7 County Area
Transportation—SORTS Carter County—PT-Flex Van Driver—Ardmore Bryan County—PT-Flex Van Driver—Durant Love County—PT- Flex Van Driver —Marietta
Head Start All Head Start Locations - Substitute Teacher(s) Blaine County - Early Head Start Teacher - Watonga Head Start Blaine County - Cook Aide - Watonga Head Start - 12 Month Position
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 10
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Head Start—continued Blaine County - Teacher Aide - Watonga Head Start Bryan County - Cook Aide - Durant Head Start - JWCDC Bryan County - Teacher Aide - Durant Head Start - JWCDC Canadian County - Early Head Start Teacher(s) - Yukon Head Start Canadian County - Family Advocate Custer County - Teacher Aide - Weatherford Head Start Dewey County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Shattuck Head Start Hughes County - Bus Driver/Custodian Kingfisher County - Teacher Aide - Kingfisher Head Start
Kingfisher County - Cook Aide - Hennessey Head Start Kingfisher County - Early Head Start Teacher - Hennessey Head Start Garfield County - Education Specialist Garfield County - Teacher Aide - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Certified Teacher - Enid Park Place Head Start Garfield County - Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist Woodward County - Early Head Start Teacher - Woodward Head Start Woodward County - Teacher Aide - Part Time - Woodward Head Start Woodward County - Cook Aide - Woodward Head Start
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 11
