GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION Head Start/Early Head Start Support Services Monthly Narrative August 2025 LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES •
Welcome Back to School! Children and staff are excited to return to learning and growing.
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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): There was no school and no CACFP reimbursement for July 2025. The CACFP application was submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture ahead of the deadline date! Our application has been approved for the 2025-2026 Program Year!
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Health & Nutrition Manager Position: We are excited that this position has been filled and to welcome our new Health and Nutrition Manager, Mr. Jose “Alex” Velasquez. He comes to the Head Start & Early Health Start program with a wealth of knowledge in Health, Nutrition and Leadership skills. Join me in welcoming Mr. Alex!
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GCCSA/Houston ISD – Early Learning 1882 Partnerships Meeting: The Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) leadership team met with HISD and Good Reason Houston. Good Reason Houston is working with
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HISD to search for possible partnerships to participate in a grant they are writing to Early Learning 1812 Partnership. Head Start/Early Head Start Supplemental Nutrition & Wellness Grant: The Supplemental Nutrition & Wellness grant was submitted to provide nutrition education and farming awareness for children enrolled in the program. In partnership with Cook Learn Grow children will receive structured, hands-on cooking lessons. In collaboration with local farmers, children will have gardening activities at their centers.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT (CD) • • • • •
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Excitement is in the air as the first weeks of school began this month. Pasadena site began August 14, Raul Yzaguirre on August 13 and HISD & Stand-alone sites began August 12. Early Head Start: Frog street Infants: Teachers implement the Activity Trackers Card to plan activities according to each child’s individual need. Toddlers: Theme- All About Me- Week 1- My Face/Children will learn about the location and function of their facial features. SAVAS Threes: Theme- Awesome Me- Week 1- This week the children will learn how awesome they are physically as they study body parts and their functions. Children will also be introduced to essential classroom routines. Raul Yzaguirre -Teaching Strategies Curriculum Theme: “Building your classroom community” Sub-theme: What names do we need to know at school? What should we do if we get sad or scared at school? What are our rules? When do things happen at school? Who works at our school? How do we make and keep friends? Stand-Alone Curriculum: Frog street Pre-K. Theme 1- My School and Me/Mi escuela y yo. Week 1: This way to PreK/ Camino a Pre-kindergarten, Week 2: Physical Me/Mi fisico, Week 3: My Senses/Mis sentidos, Week 4: I Think, I Feel/ Yo creo, yo siento. Child Development Specialists in Collaboration conduct virtual interviews and candidate recommendations with supporting to hire Teacher/Teacher Assistants/Teacher. The Child Development Team conducted the Learning Environment Checklist with the Center Administrator to ensure that the teachers are prepared. They also worked with the warehouse team to deliver classroom materials.
August 2025 Monthly Report
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