Lincoln Public Schools

Saturday November 21, 2009 · 54° and cloudy in Lincoln

ExCITE - EARLY CHILDHOOD INFANT TODDLER EDUCARE

The ExCITE program is inclusive of these preschool services:   

  • Head Start for children ages three and four
  • Title I Preschool for children ages three and four
  • LB759 State Funding for children birth to age five
  • Even Start for adults with literacy needs and children below age eight
  • Student Child Learning Centers for infants and toddlers in selected secondary buildings where parent[s] are enrolled.

ExCITE classes are located in First Presbyterian Church, Arnold, Belmont, Brownell, Campbell, Calvert, Cavett, Clinton, Everett, Humann, Maxey, McPhee, Meadow Lane, Prescott, Riley, Roper, Saratoga, and West Lincoln Elementary Schools. The central administrative office for the program is housed at LPSDO [436-1995 or 436-1996]. Director [436-1988].

Expectations for Teachers

ExCITE staff are expected to provide comprehensive services through guidance and support to encourage families to grow in family literacy in their own way to achieve their goals and dreams towards self sufficiency and social competence. Children develop birth to five-years-old, cognitively, socio-emotionally and physically with quality instruction by early childhood educators in partnership with the child's parents in classrooms and on home visits.

Programs and Services

ExCITE provides to children and families comprehensive services that focus on the following cornerstones: Child Development, Family Involvement, Community Partners, and Staff Development through Home Base, Center Base, and full day/full year program options. The overdriving philosophy of the Program is Family Literacy.

Questions and Answers

How can I apply for my child to be enrolled in the ExCITE program?

Applications are taken at the Central Administrative Office between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30. If you are interested in applying for the program, applications can be obtained by calling the ExCITE/Head Start Office (436-1995) or go to Early Childhood Program Application 2009-2010. This application can be submitted to the Lincoln Public Schools District Office at 5901 O Street, along with the items as stated in the Application Cover Sheet 2009 . For non-English speaking families, the Application Cover Sheet includes contact information for translation assistance. The application is available in Spanish. Click here for the Spanish Application Cover Sheet .Click here for the Spanish application. Before your child can be enrolled in an ExCITE class, we will also need you to complete a Release or Information form with information about you. March 1 of each year is the beginning date for applications to be accepted.  There is no specific deadline--applications are accepted throughout the year.  However, the first letters of acceptance are sent approximately July 31st. (Please see the heading Assuring Your Child's Safety below to access an additional form you will need to complete and submit with your child's application.)

What is the process for accepting my child into the program?

Once an application is completed, (including the child's birth certificate, shot record, and income verification) the application is processed and your child is placed on the waiting list in a priority order.    All families are notified BY MAIL to let them know if their child is accepted and the date the child will start attending.  A student calendar will be included along with information on the teacher's name, class time and center location.

What criteria are used to decide if my child can be accepted?

Applications are prioritized by several categories, including the child's age, the family's income and all information provided in the application.  Those with the highest priority are accepted into the program first. If two applications have the same priority rating, the one that was received first will be considered first.

How does a person become a Head Start volunteer? 

Volunteers are welcome in the ExCITE/Head Start Program.  Anyone wishing to become a volunteer should contact the volunteer coordinator by e-mail at skirkla2@lps.org or by phone (436-1995) to set up an appointment for orientation.  Volunteers will be required to complete some paperwork and work with the volunteer coordinator to set up a specific location for volunteering.  If you prefer to complete the paperwork before coming to the appointment, you can access it here volunteer agreement, and confidentiality policy.  These forms need to be completed and turned in to the ExCITE Office during the orientation.

Assuring your child's safety

All adults - parents, volunteers, staff - are required to sign a Request for Information which will be sent to the State of Nebraska Adult and Child Abuse and Neglect Registry. For parents, the form will only be submitted when your child is placed in a classroom, there fore the results of the search do not affect the selection of children for the program. Click here for a link to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services web site.

 

Head Start

This is what the Head Start Program includes.  It is one of the funding sources for the ExCITE Program.  All information that applies to ExCITE also applies to Head Start.

  • The Leadership Team for Head Start/ExCITE includes the following people:
  • Deila Steiner, Director of Federal Programs
  • Pat Schmidt, Coordinator of Head Start/ExCITE
  • Susie Kirkland , Secretary for Head Start/ExCITE
  • Dawn Wright, Disabilities Specialist
  • Phyllis Boshae, RN, Health Specialist
  • Angie Upah, Parent Involvement and Enrollment Specialist
  • Brenda Carlow, Education Specialist
  • Carrie Erks, Mental Health specialist
  • Kim Nebel, School Social Worker
  • Azure Wall , LAP Liaison

Even Start

Personnel

  • Zaynab Al-Hamzawi, Coordinator
  • Deila Steiner & Josh Cramer, Administrators

Partners:

  • Lincoln City Libraries
  • Southeast Community College
  • Family Service of Lincoln
  • Lincoln Public Schools ExCITE

Program and services

  • Adult education/ ESL classes are provided 4 mornings each week.
  • Family Wellness class is held 1 morning each week.
  • Children participate in an early childhood program 5 days each week.
  • Family visits are scheduled weekly.
  • Family literacy events are planned 2 times each month.

The mission of Even Start is to empower families to transfer the value of education to their children and demonstrate self-sufficiency in their complex lives.

Participants can expect:

  • Interactive literacy activities between parent and child.
  • Training on how to be the primary teacher for their children
  • Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency
  • Age-appropriate education to prepare their children for success

LPS759 State Funding

Early Childhood - Nebraska Dept of Education