Project HOPE is off to a great start this year, both with the parenting program and the day care. Our parenting program has 31 enrolled participants so far, just in four short weeks of school. The day care is up to 21 children enrolled, 11 of whom are teachers' children. The day care's preschool class (ages 3-5) is enjoying a new component since we have added a trip to the Terrell Public Library for storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:30. The kids have gone twice and have thoroughly enjoyed their time at the library. With each trip, they learn valuable literacy skills, foster a love for reading, and practice important social skills as well. I am so pleased to be able to offer this storytime to the children!

Our new playground has started to take shape...the concrete has been poured and we are awaiting the fence and new gravel for the play area. Within a week, the kids should be outside and enjoying a new, ant-free and puddle-free play zone. Hurray!

We've welcomed one new baby since school began and are currently expecting eight others throughout the year. The student parents are excited about the prospects of parenthood, but are more excited about finishing their educations and becoming productive members of our community while at the same time raising their children in safe and loving homes.

We are planning Café HOPE meetings to begin at the end of the month, and will continue to have monthly luncheons for our program participants that highlight important topics that are relevant to student parents. We are also trying to establish a partnership with the Kaufman Community Health Clinic to better provide medical and family planning services to our participants.

We have set our yearly WIC schedule...if you need a WIC appointment, be sure to check these dates and make your appointment during one of these times so that we may provide your transportation to and from the WIC clinic. You will not be counted absent from school if you ride to WIC with us. The dates are as follows:

9/26; 10/24; 11/14; 12/19; 1/23; 2/20; 3/20; 4/24; 5/22

If you or your baby need to see a local doctor, please give us 24 hours notice of your appointment date and time so that we can plan your transportation.

Our bus radio is on the blink, so contacting Ms. Ruth in the mornings is difficult. If you have missed the Project HOPE bus or need a ride and Ms. Ruth didn't know it, please call the bus barn at 972-524-4282 and let them know to call Ms. Ruth on the bus.

I hope your start back to school has been productive and cheerful. Let us know if you need anything or have any questions!! :)