Head Start

The Decatur City Schools collaborate with the Community Action Agency of Morgan County to coordinate services with the Head Start Program. Leon Sheffield Elementary School houses seven classrooms of Head Start students. There are two other locations within the community (Progressive Outreach Center and Childcare Network) that also house Head Start students. Each class has approximately 20 students with a teacher and an aide on staff. The principal at Leon Sheffield Elementary School integrates the Head Start students into the regular school environment by:
1. Notifying parents of kindergarten registration and providing registration materials;
2. Providing access to the school’s facilities (gym, auditorium, library, cafeteria, playground, etc.);
3. Inviting Head Start students to attend assemblies, plays, etc.;
4. Allowing Head Start parents to attend parenting meetings;
5. Allowing Head Start students to tour the school facilities prior to entering kindergarten; and
6. Providing Head Start students with read-aloud times.