By Donna Riley-Lein
Independent Staff Writer

ELLISVILLE, Ala. — No doubt about it, the staff and student of the Ellisville Head Start program ended the school year right. The staff, the students, and a bunch of volunteers held a “Fun Day” to mark the last day of school.

Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on assisting children from low-income families.

Director Cathy Porter had been looking forward to having her 60-odd charges enjoy the party outdoors, but Friday’s rain forced a little improvisation.

“That means no “bouncy house,” said Porter, referring to an inflatable attraction kids could bounce in safely. “There’s no room for it indoors.”

No matter. The parent volunteers and staff had converted the school’s small cafeteria into an indoor wonderland. The “sand table” now held water and a magnetic fishing game, there were games to try, and two face-painting stations.

The Head Start program is about 20 years old in Ellisville, and Porter has been involved with the office for about eight years. The school has two classrooms of about 30 youngsters each, ranging in age from 3 to 5, with two instructors per classroom.

“The idea is to prepare kids for kindergarten,“ Porter said. “My biggest joy is working with the kids.”

The biggest challenge Porter says she faces is that, because of higher gas prices, parents are struggling to bring their kids to school. There is no bus transportation to the facility. Class is in session from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Porter enjoys seeing former students do well. The oldest of “her” students are now in sixth grade.

“I like playing, but I have learned my letters and to count to 100,” said Maya Thomas, 5.

“I like to go outside and play,” said John Michael Lanhan.

Joseph West will attend kindergarten in Silverhill.

“I like doing journal writing,” he said. “I want to be a teacher, and maybe teach Head Start.”

“We see pictures in the paper and see one kid or another made the honor roll,’ said Porter. “We say ‘yea, that kid went here.’”

While the goal is to get the kids ready to do well in kindergarten, individual differences are respected, says Lead Teacher Theresa Lakes.

The way they learn is different,” said Lakes, “but, children are so honest, I don’t have to worry about stories. They are like little sponges, they learn so much.”

The children often touch their teacher’s hearts, says Marlo Edwards, another Head Start teacher.

“Some of these children never get love and attention,” said Edwards. “We teach character and manners. Some go home and teach their parents.”

“We have some Hispanic students who didn’t know English, who are now teaching (English to) their Mommas,” said Porter.

But sometimes, the rewards are the simplest.

“I love my teacher,” said Makiah Richardson of Loxley.

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