Trinity school reborn as Head Start center

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr DIRECTOR PATRICIA GULLEY says there has been a need for a center-based program in Jasper for a long time.

"It takes a team to make a dream" is the theme of Jasper's first center-based Head Start program, according to director Patricia Gulley.

The Head Start program will be conducted in the old Trinity School building on Collier Street adjacent to Trinity Episcopal Church.

The Head Start program held their grand opening and parent orientation Monday, Aug. 6, to introduce parents to the four new teachers and staff.

Gulley said they already have 60 center-based students enrolled (in addition for 40 home-based), but they will continue to take applications and maintain a standby list.

Head Start programs have been helping lowincome and disadvantage children get a head start on an education, health and nutrition for more than 40 years.

The four classrooms will have all-day programs that include breakfast, lunch and a snack.

"This is such a good change for Jasper," Gulley said. "There's been a need for a center-based program here for a long time." Gulley comes to Jasper from a Head Start program in Newton.

TEACHER CLARISSA SHOFNER is ready for the four-year-olds with a colorful classroom full of educational materials.

The Head Start program will begin classes Aug. 20, one week earlier that the Jasper Independent Schools.