I wrote a story for the July 15, 1967 Youth Page about Senior Girl Scouts working with Cape Girardeau’s Head Start program. Here’s the story and some photos that didn’t run. You can click on the photos to make them larger.
This is the caption for the one photo that WAS published: Johnnie Bell enjoys an apple snack under the encouraging smile of Miss Barbara Heye, one of five Senior Girl Scouts working with the Cape Girardeau Head Start program as volunteer teachers assistants. Johnnie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Bell, Pecan Street, and Miss Heye is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heye, 1651 Perryville Road. There are 176 children enrolled in the federally-financed program designed to prepare young children for regular school experiences.
Girls “dearly love it”
Five Senior Girl Scouts who have been working with Head Start at Jefferson School this summer “dearly love it,” Mrs. Stanley G. Diehl, troop leader, said today.
The Misses Carmen Anderson, Louann Diehl, Barbara Heye, Mary Jane Seay and Susie Fox have been working full time as volunteer teachers assistants.
They are members of Troop 100.
“I really liked it,” commented Miss Seay. “From the first day I enjoyed working with the children.”
The Central High School senior added, “When you first look out and look in this thing, you’d think it wouldn’t work. I think it helps them a lot!”
Miss Fox agreed: “I think it’s great! The kids love it – and I’m having a great time, too.”
Have seen change in youngsters
Most of the girls have noted a change in the youngsters since the program’s start four weeks ago.
“The first week I was here, the kids were kind of shy,” Miss Fox observed. “Now we get along just great.”
“Getting along really well”
Miss Anderson also found this shyness a barrier initially, “but lately we’ve been getting along really well.”
“The children are a lot more forward now,” Miss Seay has found. “The first day they kind of shied away, but they’re more outgoing now and they’re talking more.”
Need note of authority
One thing the girls have learned from their experiences this summer is the psychology of dealing with young children. “You have to be nice to them, but you also have to have a note of authority so they’ll respect you,” Miss Anderson discovered. She found the experience particularly valuable because she hopes to teach at a private camp next summer.
“Great opportunity: for girls
Mrs. Diehl said that working with Head Start has been a “great opportunity” for the girls.
In addition to the five full-time helpers, there are a number of other Girl Scouts who help in the Head Start program.
Miss Anderson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Anderson, Kage Road; Miss Diehl is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Diehl; Miss Heye is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heye, 1651 Perryville Road; Miss Seay is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Seay, 1520 Jane;, and Miss Fox is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milford Fox, 415 South Missouri.
Head Start prepares for regular school
Head Start, the official explain, is meant to help some children from moderate income families gain experiences they need to get full value from regular public school programs.
Specifically, the program is “planned primarily to help children who who lacked opportunity and encouragement to develop mentally, physically and socially to the maximum of their potential.”
Ride buses to school
In the morning, the Head Start youngsters are picked up by bus at their homes. After they arrive at school, they are given breakfast to develop group eating habits. [The boy’s name tag reads “Luther Howard – 748 Giboney.]
The half-day sessions alternate play periods with learning and resting periods.
Field trips
Field trips – by bus and by foot – give the the children a chance to see what goes on on a farm, at the airport, at a grocery store. Visits by policemen, firemen and other city officials give them an opportunity to learn about the roles of these community helpers.
About 180 Cape Girardeau children are taking part in Head Start.
