Quarterly Newsletter
Quarterly Newsletter October—December 2017 January—March 2017
News from the Executive Director Welcome to the Winter Quarterly Edition of the Big Five Newsletter! In this jam packed edition, you will find: Kids with pumpkins, haybales and scarecrows at Roff. An awesome Cheerleader in Guymon giving back to her community. A brand-new playground for Zanies Public Schools thanks to our great partner Valero! There is a Head Start Teacher in action in Clinton. A Fantastic parade for Head Start in Watonga!! Dr.Seuss was in Weatherford. Classrooms of Excellence show their pride at Alva and Enid. How about that Open House for the new center at Guymon!!! A great partner gift from THF for new SORTS buses!! This is what we do and who we are!!! Always Remember!! We are Big Five We are here to serve!!
Helping Our Community Today Have a Brighter Tomorrow
Kent Watson Executive Director
Big Five Community Services, Inc.
Big Five's mission statement - We exist to
1502 N. 1st Ave.
strengthen the educational, social, and economic
Durant, OK 74701
well-being of individuals and families as they move
(580) 924-5331
toward independence and self-sufficiency.
www.BigFive.org
Page 1
Oct.—Dec. 2017, we have served
JANUARY
•
Chore Program —16
1– New Year’s Day -Closed
•
Emergency Assistance –40
9– Policy Council Mtg.– Durant
•
Family Caregiver Support—
15– Martin Luther King Day -Closed
40-Assessments and 17 Reassessments •
Head Start & Early Head Start Children— 1,618 (Quarterly average Oct.-Dec. Head Start)
FEBRUARY 6-Policy Council Mtg. -Durant
•
Health Promotion—37
15– Board of Directors’ Mtg.—Ada
•
Homemaker Program —26
19-President’s Day -Closed
•
Outreach Program—99
•
RX for Oklahoma Program
MARCH
Prescription Applications—26
6– Policy Council Mtg. -Durant
Ordered Medications—360
14– Board of Directors’ Mtg. -Durant
•
Senior Medical Transit—87
•
Transit Rides—27,538
•
Weatherization—4
www.BigFive.org
28-30-OKACAA Spring Conf.–OKC
Page 2
SORTS Accepts Award Letter from Texoma Health Foundation Division Director, Allen Leaird, accepts letter of award from Texoma Health Foundation (THF). Shunnay Gilmore and Ms. Lemming met with Mr. Leaird, in the central office of Big Five Community Services, Inc., to personally present the notice of funding from their organiza-
tion. The funding was a result of an application by the Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System, operated by Big Five, to use as match for the replacement of buses. THF, a not for profit philanthropic foundation, provides funding through completive application to their service area that includes Bryan County. SORTS was one of many needy organizations to apply. Ms. Lemming commented on our application and how proud they were to be able to fund such a great organization and mission of public transportation. "I am thrilled and honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization" Mr. Leaird said, the grant total of $35,000.00 will be used as match for federal funds to purchase new buses to serve the people of Bryan county. "We have had a desperate need to replace ageing buses. This comes at a critical time and we will be forever grateful to the Foundation and thank their staff and board of directors for their generosity", Mr. Leaird added.
Zaneis Head Start Big Five Head Start and Zaneis Public Schools showing off their brand new playground thanks to a generous grant from Valero. Go True Blue!!!
www.BigFive.org
Page 3
Roff Head Start
Roff Head Start Annual Scarecrow Contest was held in October. The kids are seated with the scarecrow entries in the photo. A couple of children were featured in the Ada Evening News on Friday, October 20. The kids loved this event!
Guymon Head Start JaKara, who is a High School cheerleader in Guymon, recently visited Big Five Head Start Guymon 2 classroom. She spent time with the children and they LOVED it! Thank you, JaKara!
www.BigFive.org
Page 4
Clinton Head Start Teacher Angela Arney and her students were featured in the Clinton Daily Newspaper in October. Head Start helps children develop school-readiness skills.
Marietta Senior Health Fair
OG&E Roundtable Luncheon OG&E Community Roundtable - This meeting is
Donna Pound, Big Five Community
held for local agencies to have a chance to network
Programs Director and Big Five
with one another. Thank you, OG&E, for including
Board
Big Five in this event!
Member
Ron
Jacobs
attended the Senior Health Fair in Photo Robert
below: Holiday,
Kent
Watson;
OG&E;
Marietta on October 6th.
and
Kevin Stinson.
Photo above: Kent Watson; Pamela Robinson, United Way and Big Five Board Member, and Kevin Stinson.
www.BigFive.org
Page 5
Watonga Head Start Photos to the right: Watonga Head Start kids represented Big Five in the Watonga Cheese Festival Parade.
Photos below: Watonga Head Start kids kicked off the Literacy Challenge. The kids made the cutest ducks out of paper plates.
Weatherford Head Start Head Start Teachers and Family Advocates joined in on storybook day fun as Pete The Cat, Cat in the Hat, Coconut Tree, and Fancy Nancy!!!
www.BigFive.org
Page 6
Guymon Head Start Open House Open House for Guymon Big Five Head Start center was held Monday, October 30, 2017. It was a day we celebrated Head Start and our families. The children displayed their art in the classrooms for all the families to enjoy. Families got to tour the building and classrooms. Snacks and activities were provided for the families. The Open House was enjoyed by all!
Alva Head Start
Enid Park Place
Alva Head Start students and their
Enid Park Place Head Start received new
teacher Ms. Kathi Jenlink dressed as
banners to advertise Head Start enrollment.
characters from their favorite books!
www.BigFive.org
Page 7
We LOVE
Weatherization I would like to thank you for the weatheri-
Success Stories
zation on my home. It has reduced my electric cost tremendously. All the workers
SORTS
were so nice and helpful suggesting ideas.
To Whom it May Concern,
I’m so grateful for the refrigerator, it has served me well compared to my previous one. Again, thank you all for everything
you’ve done for me
First of all, let me say it is a very good program. They are very good and nice people to visit with and you ride to and from your stop. I tis also nice to have transportation when you need it. I just hope
.
enough people support the program as well as my
God Blessings to you all,
husband and I do. We are also grateful for what
Pamela Busby
they do for the town and the are. We just hope they will up the good work.
P.S. My electric bill has dropped $30 to $35 dollars
Sincerely,
per month.
Linda Grant
Weatherization
SORTS
The Weatherization
I am very thankful for the SORTS program and the girls who take
Department also received
my call.
a thank you note from Mary Williams.
The transit is my way of getting to work everyday and has been for the past 3 1/2 years. The girls who work this Coalgate area know
Mary wrote that The
who I am and they know I call pretty much the exact same time
Weatherization team was
every day, if for some reason I don’t call a certain day they let me
really good. They
know they were concerned. These are very friendly people who
replaced my windows and
drive me to work and we have good conversations.
it has helped lower our electric bills.
There are many people who use SORTS transportation and I hope they all feel the sway I do. We are blessed to have this program. Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Keep up the Great work!
Mary Williams “A very satisfied customer from the Levy Annex” www.BigFive.org
Page 8
Weatherford Head Start
Bill Haddock Center Field Trip Ms. Sherry's class at Bill Haddock Center attended the Stephen Fite concert with Melody House Records. The event took place at Grayson County College. Afterwards, the parents provided pizza from CiCi’s. The kids had a great time!
www.BigFive.org
Page 9
The BHC Head Start teachers had just as much fun dressing up as the kids did.
www.BigFive.org
Page 10
The cooks were busy the day of the Thanksgiving luncheon at JWCDC. They had 78 students and 78 extra adults for lunch. It was a great turnout for the Thanksgiving Luncheon.
www.BigFive.org
Page 11
Thank you to all of our volunteers that help ring the bell at Wal-Mart in Durant for The Salvation Army.
www.BigFive.org
Page 12
Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Start Fun things happening at Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Head Start! Melissa with the Woodward Fire Department came out and shared the importance of fire safety with our kiddos. The kids also got to see her in full firefighting gear, they even got to tour the fire truck. Kenny Farms in Woodward dropped by and donated a pumpkin to every child. The kids were able to go out to the pumpkin patch (playground) and pick their very own pumpkin! Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Head Start want to give a huge shout-out to Woodward Fire Department and Kenny Farms for their support of our program and our children! Thank you!
Healdton Bullpups served their children and families a wonderful Thanksgiving meal! www.BigFive.org
Page 13
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Community Services Bryan County - Weatherization Crew Member Love County—PT - Maintenance/Custodian - Marietta Maintenance/Custodian - 7 County Area
Transportation—SORTS Bryan County - PT- Flex Van Driver - Durant Carter County - PT-Flex Van Driver - Ardmore Coal County - PT-Flex Van Driver - Coalgate
Head Start Garfield County - Family Advocate - Enid Head Start Substitute Teacher(s) All Head Start Locations Bryan County - Part Time - Child Care Provider(s) - JWCDC Head Start Bryan County - Teacher Aide - Colbert Head Start Blaine County - Cook Aide - Watonga Head Start (10 month position)
Carter County - Family Advocate - Ardmore Head Start Custer County - Certified Teacher - Clinton Head Start
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 14
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Head Start—continued Custer County - Teacher Aide - Clinton Head Start Custer County - Teacher Aide - Weatherford Head Start Garfield County - Cook Aide - Enid - West Side Garfield County - Education Specialist Harper County - EHS Teacher - Laverne Head Start Harper County - Cook Aide - Laverne Head Start Texas County - Certified Teacher - Guymon Head Start Woods County - Cook Aide - Alva Head Start (10 Month Position)
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 15
News from the Executive Director Welcome to the Winter Quarterly Edition of the Big Five Newsletter! In this jam packed edition, you will find: Kids with pumpkins, haybales and scarecrows at Roff. An awesome Cheerleader in Guymon giving back to her community. A brand-new playground for Zanies Public Schools thanks to our great partner Valero! There is a Head Start Teacher in action in Clinton. A Fantastic parade for Head Start in Watonga!! Dr.Seuss was in Weatherford. Classrooms of Excellence show their pride at Alva and Enid. How about that Open House for the new center at Guymon!!! A great partner gift from THF for new SORTS buses!! This is what we do and who we are!!! Always Remember!! We are Big Five We are here to serve!!
Helping Our Community Today Have a Brighter Tomorrow
Kent Watson Executive Director
Big Five Community Services, Inc.
Big Five's mission statement - We exist to
1502 N. 1st Ave.
strengthen the educational, social, and economic
Durant, OK 74701
well-being of individuals and families as they move
(580) 924-5331
toward independence and self-sufficiency.
www.BigFive.org
Page 1
Oct.—Dec. 2017, we have served
JANUARY
•
Chore Program —16
1– New Year’s Day -Closed
•
Emergency Assistance –40
9– Policy Council Mtg.– Durant
•
Family Caregiver Support—
15– Martin Luther King Day -Closed
40-Assessments and 17 Reassessments •
Head Start & Early Head Start Children— 1,618 (Quarterly average Oct.-Dec. Head Start)
FEBRUARY 6-Policy Council Mtg. -Durant
•
Health Promotion—37
15– Board of Directors’ Mtg.—Ada
•
Homemaker Program —26
19-President’s Day -Closed
•
Outreach Program—99
•
RX for Oklahoma Program
MARCH
Prescription Applications—26
6– Policy Council Mtg. -Durant
Ordered Medications—360
14– Board of Directors’ Mtg. -Durant
•
Senior Medical Transit—87
•
Transit Rides—27,538
•
Weatherization—4
www.BigFive.org
28-30-OKACAA Spring Conf.–OKC
Page 2
SORTS Accepts Award Letter from Texoma Health Foundation Division Director, Allen Leaird, accepts letter of award from Texoma Health Foundation (THF). Shunnay Gilmore and Ms. Lemming met with Mr. Leaird, in the central office of Big Five Community Services, Inc., to personally present the notice of funding from their organiza-
tion. The funding was a result of an application by the Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System, operated by Big Five, to use as match for the replacement of buses. THF, a not for profit philanthropic foundation, provides funding through completive application to their service area that includes Bryan County. SORTS was one of many needy organizations to apply. Ms. Lemming commented on our application and how proud they were to be able to fund such a great organization and mission of public transportation. "I am thrilled and honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization" Mr. Leaird said, the grant total of $35,000.00 will be used as match for federal funds to purchase new buses to serve the people of Bryan county. "We have had a desperate need to replace ageing buses. This comes at a critical time and we will be forever grateful to the Foundation and thank their staff and board of directors for their generosity", Mr. Leaird added.
Zaneis Head Start Big Five Head Start and Zaneis Public Schools showing off their brand new playground thanks to a generous grant from Valero. Go True Blue!!!
www.BigFive.org
Page 3
Roff Head Start
Roff Head Start Annual Scarecrow Contest was held in October. The kids are seated with the scarecrow entries in the photo. A couple of children were featured in the Ada Evening News on Friday, October 20. The kids loved this event!
Guymon Head Start JaKara, who is a High School cheerleader in Guymon, recently visited Big Five Head Start Guymon 2 classroom. She spent time with the children and they LOVED it! Thank you, JaKara!
www.BigFive.org
Page 4
Clinton Head Start Teacher Angela Arney and her students were featured in the Clinton Daily Newspaper in October. Head Start helps children develop school-readiness skills.
Marietta Senior Health Fair
OG&E Roundtable Luncheon OG&E Community Roundtable - This meeting is
Donna Pound, Big Five Community
held for local agencies to have a chance to network
Programs Director and Big Five
with one another. Thank you, OG&E, for including
Board
Big Five in this event!
Member
Ron
Jacobs
attended the Senior Health Fair in Photo Robert
below: Holiday,
Kent
Watson;
OG&E;
Marietta on October 6th.
and
Kevin Stinson.
Photo above: Kent Watson; Pamela Robinson, United Way and Big Five Board Member, and Kevin Stinson.
www.BigFive.org
Page 5
Watonga Head Start Photos to the right: Watonga Head Start kids represented Big Five in the Watonga Cheese Festival Parade.
Photos below: Watonga Head Start kids kicked off the Literacy Challenge. The kids made the cutest ducks out of paper plates.
Weatherford Head Start Head Start Teachers and Family Advocates joined in on storybook day fun as Pete The Cat, Cat in the Hat, Coconut Tree, and Fancy Nancy!!!
www.BigFive.org
Page 6
Guymon Head Start Open House Open House for Guymon Big Five Head Start center was held Monday, October 30, 2017. It was a day we celebrated Head Start and our families. The children displayed their art in the classrooms for all the families to enjoy. Families got to tour the building and classrooms. Snacks and activities were provided for the families. The Open House was enjoyed by all!
Alva Head Start
Enid Park Place
Alva Head Start students and their
Enid Park Place Head Start received new
teacher Ms. Kathi Jenlink dressed as
banners to advertise Head Start enrollment.
characters from their favorite books!
www.BigFive.org
Page 7
We LOVE
Weatherization I would like to thank you for the weatheri-
Success Stories
zation on my home. It has reduced my electric cost tremendously. All the workers
SORTS
were so nice and helpful suggesting ideas.
To Whom it May Concern,
I’m so grateful for the refrigerator, it has served me well compared to my previous one. Again, thank you all for everything
you’ve done for me
First of all, let me say it is a very good program. They are very good and nice people to visit with and you ride to and from your stop. I tis also nice to have transportation when you need it. I just hope
.
enough people support the program as well as my
God Blessings to you all,
husband and I do. We are also grateful for what
Pamela Busby
they do for the town and the are. We just hope they will up the good work.
P.S. My electric bill has dropped $30 to $35 dollars
Sincerely,
per month.
Linda Grant
Weatherization
SORTS
The Weatherization
I am very thankful for the SORTS program and the girls who take
Department also received
my call.
a thank you note from Mary Williams.
The transit is my way of getting to work everyday and has been for the past 3 1/2 years. The girls who work this Coalgate area know
Mary wrote that The
who I am and they know I call pretty much the exact same time
Weatherization team was
every day, if for some reason I don’t call a certain day they let me
really good. They
know they were concerned. These are very friendly people who
replaced my windows and
drive me to work and we have good conversations.
it has helped lower our electric bills.
There are many people who use SORTS transportation and I hope they all feel the sway I do. We are blessed to have this program. Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Keep up the Great work!
Mary Williams “A very satisfied customer from the Levy Annex” www.BigFive.org
Page 8
Weatherford Head Start
Bill Haddock Center Field Trip Ms. Sherry's class at Bill Haddock Center attended the Stephen Fite concert with Melody House Records. The event took place at Grayson County College. Afterwards, the parents provided pizza from CiCi’s. The kids had a great time!
www.BigFive.org
Page 9
The BHC Head Start teachers had just as much fun dressing up as the kids did.
www.BigFive.org
Page 10
The cooks were busy the day of the Thanksgiving luncheon at JWCDC. They had 78 students and 78 extra adults for lunch. It was a great turnout for the Thanksgiving Luncheon.
www.BigFive.org
Page 11
Thank you to all of our volunteers that help ring the bell at Wal-Mart in Durant for The Salvation Army.
www.BigFive.org
Page 12
Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Start Fun things happening at Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Head Start! Melissa with the Woodward Fire Department came out and shared the importance of fire safety with our kiddos. The kids also got to see her in full firefighting gear, they even got to tour the fire truck. Kenny Farms in Woodward dropped by and donated a pumpkin to every child. The kids were able to go out to the pumpkin patch (playground) and pick their very own pumpkin! Big Five Woodward Head Start and Early Head Start want to give a huge shout-out to Woodward Fire Department and Kenny Farms for their support of our program and our children! Thank you!
Healdton Bullpups served their children and families a wonderful Thanksgiving meal! www.BigFive.org
Page 13
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Community Services Bryan County - Weatherization Crew Member Love County—PT - Maintenance/Custodian - Marietta Maintenance/Custodian - 7 County Area
Transportation—SORTS Bryan County - PT- Flex Van Driver - Durant Carter County - PT-Flex Van Driver - Ardmore Coal County - PT-Flex Van Driver - Coalgate
Head Start Garfield County - Family Advocate - Enid Head Start Substitute Teacher(s) All Head Start Locations Bryan County - Part Time - Child Care Provider(s) - JWCDC Head Start Bryan County - Teacher Aide - Colbert Head Start Blaine County - Cook Aide - Watonga Head Start (10 month position)
Carter County - Family Advocate - Ardmore Head Start Custer County - Certified Teacher - Clinton Head Start
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 14
Please refer to the website at www.BigFive.org for the most current job openings and the detailed job descriptions.
Head Start—continued Custer County - Teacher Aide - Clinton Head Start Custer County - Teacher Aide - Weatherford Head Start Garfield County - Cook Aide - Enid - West Side Garfield County - Education Specialist Harper County - EHS Teacher - Laverne Head Start Harper County - Cook Aide - Laverne Head Start Texas County - Certified Teacher - Guymon Head Start Woods County - Cook Aide - Alva Head Start (10 Month Position)
BIG FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.BigFive.org
Page 15
