Head Start Celebrates Grand Opening

Over a year has passed since the ground broke, and as with anything related to education, the process is ongoing, but Head Start in Glasgow held their grand opening July 27.

Action for Eastern Montana Director Shawna Sargent as on hand to welcome new and prospective students, along with their parents and siblings, to the new school. Families toured the new modular building at 211 First Ave. S., the former site of the Farmer's Market.

The new facility offers more space -indoors and out – for developing young minds. "It had never hit me before," said Sargent, "but our old space didn't have a lick of grass." Children attending Head Start at the new location will have a good deal of lush green grass to play in, with part of the area blocked off with privacy fencing. Sargent noted that while the staff missed the planting season this year, there are plans for a shade tree in the front yard facing First Avenue. A play area contains three plastic play sets brought over from the old Head Start location, though Sargent said she is looking at adding more within regulation requirements for safety.

Inside new students and their families got a glimpse of what is to come, from a tactile room for indoor play when temperatures plummet to the learning space complete with an upgraded SMART board which can be raised or lowered on its wall mount. Educational toys line the rooms and more will be added as the program and the building continue to develop. Off the tactile room is a space set up for therapy needs. "Primarily for speech therapy, but whatever is needed by the kids," explained Sargent.

A small library sits near the entrance and Sargent welcomed book and author recommendations, noting those books are for the children to check out, take home, and report back on their reading progress.

On the east side of the building there is an office for staff, a spacious kitchen, a utility room and a break room. The kitchen Thursday was filled with the delectable scent of BBQ, provided by Auzzy's Cook Shack who was set up outside to serve visitors.

Head Start staff and members of Action for Eastern Montana were also on site to celebrate the achievement and answer questions. New and prospective students dove into all that was available to them, from practicing hanging a book bag in the hallway cubbies to snagging some swag.

Head Start Glasgow is as anxious and ready to start a new school year as many of their students, though Sargent said the program is still growing. "We are still looking for teachers and accepting applications," she stressed. More information on applications to Action for Eastern Montana's Head Start program is at http://www.aemt.org/head-start. Sargent can be reached at 406-345-2132 or [email protected].