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TCAP expands with 7th location, promotes center-based play
WARREN
Center-based play draws in more than 600 students to attend Trumbull Community Action Program’s Head Start school.
“Sometimes I like to call it ‘accidental learning,’” said Ashley Murphy, TCAP teacher. “Students are playing and having fun and learning their basics as they go along.”
TCAP, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, recently expanded its facilities by opening a new location at Wildare United Methodist Church, 7211 North Park Ave.
The new location, called Trumbull Northwest Head Start, will be open for the upcoming 2017-18 school year. The classroom at Trumbull Northwest will be an all-day classroom.
“Our students get to look and explore,” Murphy said. “We have a creative section with painting and coloring, a math and manipulating center, a computer center with tablets, educational games and even a writing center.”
Students learn color recognition, how to mimic letters, how to become familiar with technology and more, Murphy added.
“It’s just really neat to see the students progress throughout the year, from the beginning to the end,” she said. “We offer a lot of different things not all schools can offer.”
In addition to students’ accidental learning, TCAP has staff dedicated to taking care of other parts of the family, said Lily Riddle, TCAP registrar.
Some of the services include: Food Buying Club, a twice-a-month program that consists of three bags with fresh fruits and vegetables, a bread product, a meat item, eggs and other miscellaneous items for $18; Community Action Transportation System, low-cost transportation for those who qualify for their services; help with household chores for seniors; the R.I.S.E Program, a GED program for any adult whose children are enrolled in TCAP Head Start; and much more.
“We are for the whole family,” Riddle said.
TCAP, which is free, serves low-income families, but also what they consider “over- income” depending on the space available.
Riddle said she encourages all families to apply.
“Here at TCAP, we are trying to prepare these kids and get them exposure at a young age,” said Michael Santillo, TCAP public-relations officer. “We’re all about providing a quality education for these kids as well as preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.”
TCAP has seven Head Start Centers across Trumbull County. Locations are: Warren West, Niles, Hubbard, Newton Falls, Hartford, Kinsman and now Trumbull Northwest.
Classes for the 2017-18 school year begin Aug. 23. Enrollment is open. Registration can be completed at TCAP, 1230 Palmyra Road, or online at http://tcaphelps.org/menus/head-start.html.
For information, contact the registration office at 330-393-2507, ext. 222 or 271.