Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Head Start

Our education teams concluded their amazing annual pre-service at the Education Bash, which was an amazing journey with the “Adventure Awaits” theme.

Dr. Joe Martin inspired our staff with his story of resilience and challenged them to continue to make a difference in the lives of their students.

The Education team knows how to have fun with some friendly competitions!

Yakoke to the Education Bash committee who put in hours of planning, decorating, and setup. Thank you to the CNO Leadership and volunteers for taking times out of their busy schedules to serve their staff, and to our Executive Director Amanda Johnson, for hosting an incredible event.

Most importantly, yakoke to our staff who go above and beyond to serve our littlest citizens!

Yesterday, Day 2 of the CNO Education Pre-Service started off on a big “POW” with keynote speakers Donna Porter & DJ Batiste, who motivated our difference makers!

The day was filled with speakers sharing their experience, knowledge, & insight. Yakoke for being a part of our pre-service!

And a special Yakoke to the Leaderhip Panel for taking time out of your busy schedules to share your stories.

Yesterday, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's Child Care, Head Start, and Jones Academy joined forces to launch their annual Pre-Service.

Day 1 was filled with love, laughter, and learning as these EVERYDAY superheroes came together to celebrate the power within us all!

Join our Head Start Team!

Head Start Education Development Coach Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Start Rate $28.59

Head Start provides educational, health and family services to eligible children and families and is open to all children who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024. Apply now at www.choctawnation.com/services/head-start.

Congratulations to Sarah Snow on her five-year service award and for her outstanding contributions as Head Start Director. On this day five years ago, Sarah started her journey with CNO Head Start. She has accomplished so much in that timeframe and we are grateful for her leadership and servant heart. It's clear she's made a significant impact during her time at CNO Head Start.

Yakoke and congratulations Sarah on 5 years!

The Student School and Activity Fund is NOW OPEN. The Choctaw Nation offers a $100 grant to Choctaw tribal students who are attending a 3-year-old Head Start program or daycare through high school. Apply in the Chahta Achvffa member portal. 2024 Application dates: June 1 – Aug. 31, 2024. Follow the link to apply! https://www.choctawnation.com/services/ssaf/

If you require further assistance, associates will return to the office on June 3, 2024.

Enjoy grab-and-go style meals for all kids ages 1-17 with our Summer Food Service Program!

This program is an equal opportunity provider, and no CDIB is required.

Visit one of the participating grab and go locations during service hours. Meals will be at a first come first serve basis.

For more information, locations and schedule, visit https://www.choctawnation.com/services/summer-food-service/.

Head Start staff, among the CNO Education department attended the Jones Academy Open House today to learn more about and celebrate this amazing school.

The JA staff have a true passion for serving the children in their care and it’s evident in their presentation and hospitality. Yakoke to JA for opening your hearts and school!

The following staff were also honored during the Education Leadership Quarterly Meeting:
Alisha Holaday, Social Emotional Specialist - completion of Masters degree
Brandon Hall, Transportation & Safety Coordinator - 10 years of Service
Sarah Snow, Director - 5 years of Service
Yakoke for your service & dedication to CNO Head Start!

CNO Head Start Policy Council met on Friday at the McAlester Community Center. The Policy Council is responsible for overseeing the delivery of high quality service to children and families in accordance with Head Start legislation, regulations and policies.
Shout out to Savannah Taylor, community representative for completing her Master's Degree in Indigenous Law.

Choctaw Nation remembers the Trail of Tears by hosting an annual memorial walk at the capitol grounds in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma.
The event includes a ceremony, cultural demonstrations, Live Village and vendor booths.
ERSEA Coordinator, Denise Roach, Head Start Director, Sarah Snow and Senior Director of Child Care and Head Start, Rachel Pittman shared information about CNO Head Start and the recruitment/application process with tribal members from across the reservation.

Head Start celebrated Social Emotional Specialist, Alisha Holaday today. Alisha has been instrumental in ensuring Conscious Discipline implementation in head start classrooms. She is passionate about early childhood education. This passion most recently led her to pursue a Master of Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. She has moved through her career in education starting first as a para-professional, moving to a head start teacher and finally joining head start admin team in 2019. Alisha previously obtained a Master of Science in Native American Leadership in 2017. She has a love for the Chahta Nation and could find no better way to serve the people than working closely with the tribe’s most precious members in head start.
Congratulations on your graduation!

This is a great scholarship opportunity and chance to learn the Choctaw Language. Deadline to apply is May 31.

Chahta Anumpa - UNIQUE APPLICATION **DUE DATE TBD** - Chahta Foundation The goal of the Chahta Anumpa Teacher Education Scholarship is to provide a full scholarship, full benefits listed below, to Choctaw individuals who are interested in completing a Teacher Education program and upon certification/ licensure becoming a Choctaw Language Teacher. The course work for thi...

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who
prepare for it today." Malcolm X
The final day of Teacher Appreciation highlights includes our Wilburton, Poteau and Stigler centers. These ladies wear many different hats each day and they do it well.
Yakoke to all of the Head Start Staff ~ Not only during this week that you've been officially recognized but every single day that you're out there on the front lines being World Changers.

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn." — Phil Collin
In continuation of Teacher Appreciation Week, today's stops included ~ Hugo, Idabel, Broken Bow, Battiest and Wright City. There are so many amazing things happening in Head Start across the reservation and these fabulous staff deserve to be recognized. They are raising up future leaders of CNO.

"Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning." - Unknown
Today's Teacher Appreciation celebrations continue with stops at Atoka, Coalgate and McAlester. These classrooms are creative, caring and connected. Yakoke to the staff for serving our children and families.

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. —Brad Henry
CNO Head Start is celebrating Teacher Appreciation this week. These staff give it their all every day as they continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families across the reservation. Today's stops were ~ Bennington, Durant and Antlers.

Happy Administrative Professional's Day! Head Start is grateful for these two ladies. Day in and day out they are there to organize, plan and execute to keep things moving in the right direction. Yakoke Stephanie Makke & Patti Rosenthal

Featuring the Head Start Center Highlight...Atoka Head Start.

Atoka Head Start has had a busy school year!

Parents and children participated in the celebration by sending 100 items to school for children and staff to count, as well as making 100 cup tower in the classroom. Children also participated in taking a 100 year old picture of themselves!

Some of their favorite activities so far this year are field trips to the Choctaw Wellness Center, Cooking with Ms. Samantha, Exploring Winter Animals, Choctaw Language, Cultural Meal and Activities, Library Books, and getting to introduce their favorite pets through our “Pet Study.”

Their most favorite moment was when “Santa Claus” came to Head Start and their most favorite community activity was participating in the “Blessing Bags.”

In the last year they have had staff celebrating milestone awards with Ms. Rhonda & Ms. Alysha celebrating 5 years and Ms. Kelly graduated with her bachelor’s degree with honors in December! They also have staff currently working on CDA and CDL’s.

We are so proud of them all and their accomplishments! Yakoke Atoka for your dedication to the Choctaw Nation Head Start Program.

Yesterday, Head Start family service workers, FCE Coordinator & ERSEA Coordinator met for their monthly meeting to finalize the end of this school year and plan for the upcoming program year.

These family service workers go above and beyond to serve the families and children in our Head Start program. We are blessed by their servant hearts and willingness to learn more about meeting the needs of our families.

Yakoke for all you do!

Your program can play an important role in supporting children, families, and staff who have experienced trauma. Learn how by exploring this collection of resources: https://buff.ly/49Rs4gP

Last week was Cook Appreciation week. We want to celebrate the dedication and talent of our cooks who work behind the scenes to create nutritious meals that nourish the bodies of our children and staff. Their passion and hard work are truly one of the secret ingredients that make our Early Childhood incredible. We are fortunate have them as an integral part of our school family. Please join us in extending our deepest gratitude to our amazing cooks for their unwavering commitment to excellence and for bringing meals to our tables each and every day!

Build a bedtime routine for a brighter, well-rested day with these tips! 🌙💤

Explore impact of quality sleep on your child's learning and behavior: https://buff.ly/2UM9DXc

National Read Across America week is designated to promote of love for literacy and encourage children to read. Books not only benefit various languages, including Choctaw but also imagination and creativity. Choctaw Nation Language Specialists visit head start classrooms weekly, but this week was extra special!

Yakoke to the Choctaw Nation School of Language and the Language Specialists for investing your time to promote the Choctaw Language to our little learners.

Read Across America activities continue across the Choctaw Nation reservation with fun meals and theme days!

Yakoke to our head start staff who work tirelessly to enagage our children in rich learning and literacy activities. Your love and dedication for our youngest citizens is commendable!

CNO Teachers, Kendra Hardy and Gabrielle Craddock along with Jones Academy Teacher, Brenda Martin took part in the annual Southeastern Oklahoma State University Prospective Teacher Academy recently. They presented during break out sessions to local students who might be interested in becoming a teacher. Keynote speaker, 2023 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Traci Manuel reminded students that "You do have options" and left them with the question "What difference will you make?"