Pascagoula, Miss., Head Start Center Makes the Grade

Aug. 22–PASCAGOULA – A state-of-the-art Head Start Center that opened on Jackson Elementary campus last year is receiving good marks.

“It’s a wonderful partnership for the school district. Those children are on school property and it helps them get ready for first grade,” said Debbie Anglin, spokeswoman for the Pascagoula School District.

“The teachers have benchmarks in place and know what to teach. They work hand-in-hand with the elementary school teachers.”

The Jackson County Civic Action Committee administers the Head Start program. Diann Payne, the committee’s executive director, says the year-old center is going great. There are 10 classes with 18 to 20 students in each.

“As a self-contained, separate building on that campus, the Head Start Center is conducive to providing extra services to children,” she said. “Yet they are familiar with the elementary school and feel connected to it. These children will matriculate at this school and we’re looking for every opportunity to establish that feeling of belonging.”

She said the parents love the partnership with the school district and that it fosters pride in the community.

Monique Levertte’s three-year-old son Julian started classes at the center last week and the Pascagoula woman is very impressed with it.

“I can’t give them enough praise. They really give the children a head start,” she said. “After such a short time, the teachers already know each child’s name and are wonderful about listening to parents and answering questions.”

Levertte had an older child at the former Head Start Center and says the one at Jackson Elementary has larger, nicer rooms. The building has 17,000 square feet and each classroom has its own restrooms and water fountains.

“Julian most definitely will be back there next year and will go to school at Jackson Elementary,” she said. “It couldn’t be better.”

Payne said children in the Head Start Center use the Jackson Elementary School facilities for music and physical education classes and library services.

Lunch is served in each classroom in a family setting. “We want the children to help and to develop good eating habits,” she said.

The $1.4 million center is spread over three acres at school on Lanair Avenue. It allows Head Start officials to consolidate services for pre-kindergarten students formerly housed in mobile units on Krebs Avenue and at three Pascagoula elementary schools.

“We’re serving children and the school district is too. That’s what it’s all about,” Payne said.

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