Golf Tournament Supports Head Start Summer Learning Program

September 14, 2023

Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. (LCHS) will once again provide its ‘Jump Start’ summer learning experience to children in the summer of 2024, thanks to a golf tournament sponsored by Navient; a company that provides technology-enabled education finance and business processing solutions.

The annual event held at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top raised approximately $20,000 for LCHS’s Jump Start program.

The program is a 4-week-long summer learning experience that offers comprehensive services for 30 eligible 3 and 4-year-old children who will attend LCHS in the fall.

This year marked the 17th year for the tournament. Since its beginning, the tournament has raised $340,000 to support the summer learning program. In addition to the tournament, several businesses provided sponsorship and gift donations for raffle drawings and other prizes.

The Navient Community Fund also awarded a $5,000 grant to Head Start to help support the program.

Standing, from left: Dawn Smith, Director of Operations and Beth White, Assistant Executive Director, Luzerne County Head Start; Lisa Stashik, Vice President Office of the Customer Experience, Navient, Luzerne County Head Start Board of Directors; John Zemetro, Senior Director of Servicing Operations, Navient

LCHS Staff Information – Summer 2023

June 12, 2023

STAFF INFORMATION FOR THE 2023-2024 PROGRAM YEAR:

***CLICK HERE*** TO VIEW THE WELCOME BACK SCHEDULE 2023-2024

We are excited to welcome back our staff for the 2023-2024 School Year! Current staff who have a position/assignment change will be notified directlly via letter prior to the return date. For those staff who are not contacted directly, return will be to their own position and center assignment.

Important Return to Work Dates for Staff:

  • 8/14/23 – Center Managers, Teachers, Associate Teachers, Classroom Aides, Family Workers, Regional Nurses and Health Assistants return to work on Monday, August 14th.
  • 8/21/23 – Cooks and Nutrition Aides return to work on Monday, August 21st.
  • 8/22/23 – The ‘All Staff’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 22nd at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
  • 9/4/23 – Offices are closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 4th.
  • 9/5/23 – The first day of class for children is Tuesday, September 5th.

CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 Program Year Calendar

CLICK HERE for a list of available career opportunities

Staff Recognized for Years of Service, Alumni Scholarships Awarded at 58th Annual Luncheon

May 23, 2023

Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. held its 58th annual anniversary celebration and alumni scholarship luncheon on Monday, May 15th. Thirty-five individuals were recognized for milestone years of service at Head Start. Four community members also received the agency’s Outstanding Community Partner award for their exemplary dedication to the mission of Head Start.

Lynn Evans Biga, executive director at LCHS, was awarded the agency’s third annual ‘Bold Leadership Award’ and recognized for 45 years of service; for 34 of those years she has served as Luzerne County Head Start’s executive director.

Former Head Start student, Amber Growhowski, served as keynote speaker. Grohowski is a 2016 graduate from Greater Nanticoke Area. She received her degree in neuroscience from Wilkes University in 2020, and is currently employed as a surgical neurophysiologist at Procirca’s Center for Clinical Neurophysiology in Williamsport.

Additionally, 15 students who will graduate from high schools in Luzerne and Susquehanna Counties received more than $22,000 in scholarship awards that are funded by individuals and businesses in the community.

The event was sponsored by The Benco Family Foundation and was held at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Approximately 275 individuals from the community and agency were in attendance. This is the first time the event was held in person since 2019.

Celebrating 5 years of service at LCHS:

From left to right: Mackenzie Drago, teacher, Carson Street Center; Traci Kieser, family educator, Early Head Start, Edwardsville; Jessica Rittinger, teacher, Tunkhannock Center; Krista Moss, teacher, Beekman Street Center; Tarika Mateo Santiago, associate teacher, Beekman Street Center; Aliesha Martin, associate teacher, Plains Center; Maureen Flynn, payroll administrator, Central Office; Pam Stuart, regional nurse, COCU, Dodson, Fairview, Heights & Kistler Centers; Kati Autolitano, family engagement specialist, Central Office; Maria Price, family educator, Early Head Start, Wilkes-Barre

Missing from Photo: Amanda Brooks, regional nurse, LCCC/Nanticoke, Nanticoke, Plymouth New St. Centers

Celebrating 10 years of service at LCHS:

From Left to Right: Nilsa Arias, associate teacher, Dodson Center; Elaine Cussatt, family worker, Carson Street Center; Michelle Cantwell, teacher, Nanticoke Center; Jessica Schneider, family educator, Early Head Start, Edwardsville; Christine Fritz, lead family worker, Beekman Street Center

Celebrating 15 years of service at LCHS:

From Left to Right: Lisa Sarnak, associate teacher, LCCC/Nanticoke center; Jesse Simon, IT tech support, Central Office; Angela Hosey, fiscal manager, Central Office; Colleen Golden, associate teacher, Beekman St. Center; Carol Swithers, regional nurse, Beekman St. Center; Lynn Watters, assistant HR manager, Central Office; Mary Wolfram, ERSEA recruiter, Central Office

Missing from Photo: Rebecca Norton, family engagement specialist, Central Office & Juanita Rodriguez, family educator, Early Head Start, Hazleton

Celebrating 20 years of service at LCHS:

Cheryl Capece, teacher, Beekman St. Center

Missing from Photo: Renie Woodruff, associate teacher, Mehoopany Center

Celebrating 25 years of service at LCHS:

Bridget McGinely, teacher, Beekman St. Center

Celebrating 35 years of service at LCHS:

Kelly Lyons, family engagement specialist, Central Office

Celebrating 45 years of service at LCHS:

Lynn Evans Biga, executive director, Central Office

Recipient of the 2023 Bold Leadership Award

From Left to Right: Mainet Mejia-Arroyo, 10 years of service, LCHS Board of Directors; Carl Goeringer Jr., 30 years of service, LCHS Board of Directors; Mary Ellen Klimchok, 15 years of services, LCHS bus driver

Missing from Photo: Beverly Kuprionas, 10 years of service, foster grandparent

2023 Outstanding Community Partner Awards:

From left to right: Sandra Serhan & Marie Meade, Harveys Lake Community News

Award Presented by: Eva Kennedy, LCHS regional nurse, Back Mountain, Mehoopany and Tunkhannock Centers

Darcie Schaffer, Volunteers in Medicine

Award Presented by: Allyson Leskowsky, LCHS health specialist, Central Office

Beth Kratz, Greater Nanticoke Area Family Center and Pre-K Counts

Award Presented by: Brittany Murtha, LCHS family worker, Nanticoke Center

Trooper Anthony Petroski, Pennsylvania State Police, Hazleton barracks

Award Presented by: Mirian Lozano, LCHS family worker, Vine West Center

2023 Alumni Scholarship Recipients:

Front Row from left to right: Abigail Domoracki, Pittston Area; Evelyn Pourmonir, Pittston Area; Samantha Jimenez, Wilkes-Barre Area; Jonathan Cardona, Wyoming Valley West; Samera Buchanan, Greater Nanticoke Area; Annable Bauman, Elk Lake

Back Row from left to right: Abigail Backes, Pittston Area; Ryan Starr, Pittston Area; Emily Dessoye, Pittston Area; Courtney Dierolf, Wyoming Valley West; Yeidyveth Santana, Wilkes-Barre Area; Sophia Santana, Wilkes-Barre Area

Missing from photo: Eternity Aiken, Wilkes-Barre Area; Mary Popielarz, Dallas; Dylan Way, Elk Lake

Former Head Start student, Amber Grohowski, of Nanticoke, serves as keynote speaker at Head Start’s 58th annual luncheon and alumni scholarship celebration. Grohowski was the recipient of Head Start’s Fran Williams Memorial Scholarship in 2016.

LCHS to Award 15 High School Seniors with Scholarships Totaling 22K at Agency Luncheon

April 27, 2023

WHAT: Luzerne County Head Start’s 58th annual alumni scholarship luncheon
WHEN: Monday, May 15, 2023 from 12pm – 2pm
WHERE: Mohegan Pennsylvania | 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
ABOUT: Head Start alumni will be recognized with scholarships for higher education; staff and
community partners will be awarded for their outstanding service to LCHS

Fifteen Luzerne County Head Start (LCHS) alumni from seven school districts in Luzerne and Susquehanna Counties who will continue their education after high school will be honored at LCHS’s 58th anniversary luncheon. The celebration will take place on Monday, May 15 at Mohegan Pennsylvania, Plains Twp. Near Wilkes-Barre.

This year, LCHS will recognize 15 students with scholarships totaling $22,100. To date, the LCHS alumni scholarship program has awarded 333 scholarships totaling $333,450.00. The scholarships are provided through private sponsors, including local businesses, organizations, and community leaders. Students who received scholarships submitted applications and were selected by LCHS’s scholarship committee through a point selection process.

In addition to the scholarship awards, staff and community members will be honored for their years of service and dedication to LCHS. Awards will be distributed to LCHS’s 2023 “Outstanding Community Partners,” including Darcie Shaffer, Volunteers in Medicine; Beth Kratz, Greater Nanticoke Area Family Center/Pre-K Counts; Trooper Anthony Petroski, Hazleton State Police; and Marie Meade, Harveys Lake Community News

Best-Selling Author Speaks On Science Behind Early Learning

March 7, 2023

Ellen Galinsky, author or “Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs,” spoke to a crowd of Luzerne County Head Start (LCHS) staff and Wilkes University’s education students and professionals at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts.

The event was held as a partnership between Head Start and the University. The keynote presentation called “Learning and Thriving: Questions and Lessons Learned” by the best selling author addressed the science behind early childhood learning and development.

The event was held as a professional development opportunity for Head Start staff as well as aspiring early childhood education professionals.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Suzanne Murray Galella, associate professor/chair undergraduate education, Wilkes University; Dr. Lori A. Cooper, EdD, Wilkes University; Lynn Evans Biga, executive director, LCHS; Ellen Galinsky, author and keynote speaker, “Mind in the Making;” Kelly Chamberlain, director of education, LCHS; Dawn Smith, director of operations, LCHS; Beth White, assistant executive director, LCHS

Head Start staff, education students and professionals at Wilkes University listen to Ellen Galinsky’s keynote presentation.
Lynn Evans Biga, executive director of Luzerne County Head Start welcomes Ellen Galinsky to Wilkes University’s Dorothy Dickson Darte center.

Dr. Jonathan D. Ference, associate provost at Wilkes University, addresses Head Start staff.

Luzerne County Head Start Welcomes Best-Selling Author to Wilkes-Barre

February 22, 2023

Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. in partnership with Wilkes University welcomes best-selling author, Ellen Galinsky, to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes University on March 3, 2023. Galinsky will present “Learning and Thriving: Questions and Lessons Learned” to early childhood education staff at Head Start and aspiring educators and education professionals at Wilkes University.  

Galinsky is the author of “Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs”andis the President of Families and Work Institute, an organization she co-founded in 1989. She is also the elected President of the Work and Family Researchers Network, a network of 7000 researchers globally. She has conducted research on child-care, parent-professional relationships, parental development, work-family issues, and youth voice.

Galinsky will focus on what trauma is, what causes it and its potential effects on the brain and learning. She will discuss why relationships with children and families are critical to promoting healing, as well as the importance of caring for one’s own well-being. She will also touch on the importance of the early years, how the brain develops, and the kinds of critical skills children learn in early childhood. 

The presentation will take place from 11:30am – 1pm on Fri., March 3rd at Wilkes University’s Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. A meet-and-greet and book signing will take place following the presentation in the lobby of the theater.

LCHS to Hold Recruitment Event on 2/23

February 20, 2023

LCHS will hold a recruitment/open house event on Thurs. Feb. 23rd from 3pm-4pm at our EHS, Head Start and Pre-K Counts locations. *Please note this does not include our classes located in the Wilkes-Barre Area SD, the Crestwood SD, the Tunkhannock SD, or Dallas SD.

Current and interested families are welcome to visit their child’s center, tour their classroom, ask questions, or begin the application process. We look forward to meeting with you and answering any questions.

If you have questions ahead of this event, please email lchsinfo@hsweb.org with the subject line “LCHS Open House” or call 570-829-6231.

Locations Families Can Visit for LCHS Recruitment Event:

Back Mountain Center – 474 Yalick Rd., Dallas

Beekman St. Center (EHS and HS) – 23 Beekman St., WB 

Church of Christ Uniting (COCU) Center – 190 S. Sprague Ave., Kingston

Dallas United Methodist Church Center – 4 Parsonage St., Dallas

Edwardsville (EHS and HS) Center – 111 Meyers St., Edwardsville

Hazleton Center – 663 Carson St., Hazleton

HIP Center – 225 E. Fourth St.,Hazleton 

LCCC, Nanticoke Canter – 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke 

LCCC, Hazleton Center – 100 W. Broad St., Hazleton 

Nanticoke Center – 1010 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke 

New Street, Plymouth Center- 560 New St., Plymouth 

Pittston New Street Center – 109 New St., Pittston 

Plains Center – 100 2nd St, WB 

Mehoopany Center – 1687 Scottsville Rd, Mehoopany 

Vine West Center – 334 West Birch St., Hazleton 

Exeter Center – EHS only – 1825 Wyoming Ave., Exeter 

Hazleton Center – EHS only – 10 West Chestnut Street, Suite #10, Hazleton 

Hundreds of Hats, Gloves Collected for Head Start Children

December 20, 2022

Dozens of children at Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. (LCHS) will have new winter wear this season thanks to the generosity of employees at PNC Bank.

Employees from branches across the northeast region purchased hats and gloves for children from birth to age five who attend Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.

More than 500 hats and gloves were collected as part of the drive.

LCHS would like to thank the employees at PNC Bank for their generosity this holiday season.

Standing from left to right: Peter Danchak, Regional President, PNC; Kelly Chamberlain, Director of Education, LCHS; Kati Autolitano & Kelly Lyons, Family Engagement Specialists, LCHS; Sharon Dougherty, Director of Family Strengthening and Community Engagement, LCHS; Angela Mariotti, Client Community Relations Specialist, PNC

Coat Drive Benefits Dozens of Head Start Children

December 9, 2022

Children at Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. will have a warm coat this winter thanks to a coat drive sponsored by Eye Care Specialists of Kingston.

The business in Kingston teamed up with Eleventh Element in Edwardsville to collect winter jackets for children and their families who are enrolled in services at Luzerne County Head Start and Head Start Columbia Child Development Program.

New and gently used coats for both children and adults were dropped off at Eye Care Specialists’ seven locations across Luzerne and Columbia Counties and at Eleventh Element’s location in Edwardsville. The businesses started the coat collection back in September and wrapped up the collection in November.

More than 200 winter jackets were donated to children and families in need as part of the 11th annual coat drive.

Standing from left to right: Rebecca Norton, Kelly Lyons, Family Engagement Specialists, LCHS; Cheryl Summa, Chris Cavanaugh, Eye Care Specialists; Kati Autolitano, Family Engagement Specialist, LCHS; Donna & Chris Caruso, Eleventh Element; Sharon Dougherty, Director of Family Strengthening and Community Engagement, LCHS