Head Start Program Works on Aligning Curriculum with Bellingham School District

BELLINGHAM- The Head Start Preschool Program at Carl Cozier Elementary School has recently introduced a program called the David Matteson Teaching and Learning Method to its classroom of sixteen.

This program is not a curriculum, but is a strategy used for teaching children to tell stories by keeping a journal called “My Pictures and Stories.”

As of this year, the Head Start program has began to shift its focus on aligning with the Bellingham School Districts literary instructions so that preschoolers will experience the same teaching strategies throughout grades K-6.

Kim Walbeck, Preschool Services Manager of Opportunity Council, said “The work that we are doing with aligning our curriculum with the elementary school system really helps the preschoolers be ready for Kindergarten and sets them up for success.”

With the David Matteson learning method, children draw events that have happened to them in order to communicate a story to their teacher. This new innovative strategy aims to allow parents to understand the literary components that their children are learning.

Kat Kayser, the preschool Head Start teacher at Carl Cozier, has noticed firsthand how her students have improved their storytelling by using this method. She has also noticed improvements in memory and recall as well.

“The students get so excited about drawing their story in their yellow journal and love telling teaches and other students their own stories,” Kayser said.

At Carl Cozier Elementary, there is currently one morning Head Start preschool class that began when Opportunity Council partnered with the Bellingham School District. Other grades at the school are using the Dave Matteson method, allowing the two curriculums to align and familiarize preschoolers with the process.

Eric Paige, the Principal at Carl Cozier, said, “kindergarteners who participate in a quality program like Head Start typically transition into kindergarten easier than children who do not participate in preschool.”

Although the program is not officially part of the Bellingham School District, it is housed at the school.

“Having Head Start staff working in our schools allows the two faculties to collaborate,” Paige said.

Walbeck has recognized how the location of the program has set up preschoolers for success when it comes to transiting into Kindergarten.

“The benefits for having the preschool program located in the elementary school is that it provides seamless transitions for the students. The parents and children know the school, and that makes that transition effortless,” Walbeck said.

The Opportunity Council describes itself as a “Community Action Agency working to fight poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and address local needs.” The agency has supported low-income and homeless families since 1965, and provides benefits ranging from support and housing services, early-childhood education, food services, childcare, job skill training, home repair, and more.

Opportunity Council Benefits Children and Families

Opportunity Council offers learning opportunities for over 350 children in Whatcom County every year.

Kayser believes that the students and families benefit from Head Start in many ways.

“We work as a team to find resources to help support their needs and accomplish their goals,” Kayser said. “We also strongly encourage parent involvement.”

The preschool program has parents volunteering in the classroom, participating in the Policy Council parent board, and help with organizing family events.

Walbeck has worked for the Opportunity Council for 21 years and was a teacher for the Head Start program before she moved into her management position.

“The most rewarding experience for me is the family engagement piece because we are able to involve parents and support parents as their child’s first teacher,” Walbeck said.

The 3 and 4-year-olds from income-eligible families are provided with breakfast and lunch during the day, where they are continuously learning as part of the program.

“Teachers are working with them during meals and recess. The children learn about food and health, as well as being physically active,” Wallabeck said.

The preschoolers are also taken on multiple field trips throughout the year so they can explore the community.

“I love being able to teach children about the world around them. I want to make their classroom a positive and safe place where they can learn to love school,” Kayser said.

The Opportunity Council program directors frequently monitor the needs of students and families and are looking at ways to partner with other agencies within the Bellingham community.

For further information regarding Opportunity Council, click here.