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More Kids Getting a ‘Head Start’

TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP — Monroe County Head Start will be able to reach even more children now that a new classroom is opening in the Tobyhanna area. Head Sta...
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TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP -- Monroe County Head Start will be able to reach even more children now that a new classroom is opening in the Tobyhanna area.

Head Start -- a program that offers free pre-K classes to low-income families -- is in high demand in the Poconos.

Some families from the Tobyhanna area had their children on a waiting list for about a year. Now a new classroom is helping change that.

Students tried out the toys and played with new friends at the new Head Start inside Tobyhanna Elementary Center in Pocono Pines.

"My wife put us on the list about nine months or a year ago and we got a call a couple of weeks ago and we were really excited," said Kenneth Ramirez of Tobyhanna.

Pocono Services for Families and Children received new state funding for its Head Start program. Now the money is serving the Pocono Mountain community where the need wasn't being met.

"It's really a blessing to have a program like this for the community, for the children," Ramirez said.

There are 19 students ages 4 and 5 now enrolled in this classroom for pre-K lessons.

"Now they're here, we're getting them acclimated to the building, learning where the cafeteria is, learning where the gym is, learning where the library is. so By the time kindergarten comes around, they're really ready," said Head Start teacher Jakeem Moore.

This new Head Start center at Tobyhanna Elementary gives parents easy access, and the playground is only steps away for the students.

The long-term goal is to help more students by opening more classrooms in the old Coolbaugh Elementary center nearby, but no exact date for that is set.

"I don't know how much weirder our state budget can get," said executive director Tim Lee. "We are in unchartered waters is the term most people use with this."

Sophia, age 4, is enjoying her first day and her dad Armando is thrilled to give his daughter a chance to get ahead.

"A new learning experience, it's crazy, exciting, nerve-wracking and a very awesome journey."

The new state funding in Monroe County has allowed for five new teachers and 12 new classroom assistants to be hired..

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