‘Grandma Lori Jay’ retires after 17-
year commitment to Tribal Head Start
Congratulations to Lori Jay-Linstrom
on her retirement!
Lori Jay worked as a strong leader in
the Siletz Tribal Head Start program for
17 years, retiring from her title as parent
involvement/transition coordinator on
Aug. 31. Lori Jay is ready to spend more
time with her grandkids and work with
her husband on their campgrounds in
Lincoln City.
When the team at Head Start was
asked how they were going to manage
without her, it was commonly agreed
they weren’t sure how the next school
year would go, only that it was going to
be tough.
While the Head Start staff is excited
for the next chapter in Lori Jay’s life, they
are sad to see her go while also anxious for
the huge changes to come in the program
and the loss of her support and strength.
Through Lori Jay’s commitment to her
work, she has had a large impact on parent
involvement and policy council.
“When the program started out, we
had so little parent involvement. Lori
Jay expanded that program,” said Robin
Lambert, Head Start teacher/education
coordinator. “Lori has always been there
as the strong arm for the program to lean
on. Organizing functions, cooking large
amounts of food for a parent night, to an
extra hand in the classroom, she has always
been there to help. We really appreciate
her dedication and her belief in the Head
Start program, her belief in the children
and the families. That’s what is the most
crucial, you know – her belief in success.”
“The kids, they form an instant bond
with her, she grandmothers them and they
feel safe and loved. All the kids call her
‘Grandma Lori Jay.’ She is so important
to the children and everyone here,” said
Lori Case, Head Start teacher. “She is so
welcoming and I am so thankful to have
been able to work with her.”
Thank you, Lori Jay, for all you have
done!
Photo by Andrea Suitter
Lori Jay-Linstrom and DeAnn Brown
Head Start nutrition column returns as children head back into classrooms
By Nancy Ludwig, MS, RDN, LD, Head
Start Consulting Nutritionist
September brings new and returning
students to Head Start classrooms! As
part of my role as consulting nutritionist
for Siletz Tribal Head Start, I offer prac-
tical nutrition information. This month
my focus is on how Head Start addresses
child nutrition.
Did you know that Head Start has
nutritional goals? Basically, five areas of
focus are required and each has perfor-
mance standards. Briefly, the areas include
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identification of nutritional needs
Nutritional services
Meal service
Family assistance with nutrition
Food safety and sanitation
A variety of opportunities exist for
staff and parents to discuss each child’s
nutritional needs. This can include time
during enrollment, during a home visit or
at other meetings with the staff.
It is important that parents share the
special nutritional and feeding require-
ments for children with disabilities and/
or food sensitivities. The child’s growth
(height and weight) are measured and
monitored. A registered dietitian (me) is
available to support families with nutri-
tional needs and concerns.
The nutrition program must serve
a variety of foods that consider cultural
and ethnic preferences and broaden the
child’s food experience, along with meet-
ing the nutritional needs and feeding
requirements for the children (including
special needs). If you have concerns about
this, please contact the program or contact
me directly.
For 3- to 5-year-olds, the quantities
and kinds of food served must conform
to the recommended serving sizes and
minimum standards for meal patterns
recommended in the USDA meal pat-
tern or nutrient standard menu planning
requirements outlined for the program.
The foods served must be high in
nutrients and low in fat, sugar and salt.
Meals and snacks are appropriately sched-
uled and offered at consistent times.
Family-style meals are offered to
contribute to the development and social-
ization of each child by offering a variety
of foods at a table where children serve
themselves with sufficient time to eat.
Conversation is encouraged and food is
not to be used as reward or punishment.
Family assistance with nutrition
includes parent education activities and
opportunities for education on food prepa-
ration and nutritional skills. To meet this
goal, I offer nutritional information in
Photos by Illeana Blacketer
Zay Zay Garcia and Sean Lussier (left)
play dodgeball, as does Aiden Brown
(below far left).
the classroom and in Siletz News, as well
as in-classroom activities and family fun
nights, and/or parent meetings.
I expect to be in each classroom for
projects twice during the year. Teachers
conduct nutrition education each week. Be
on the lookout for nutrition information
in your information packets each week.
Following the food safety and sani-
tation measures protects the health and
safety of everyone. Tribal health inspec-
tors as well as the state review and audit
the program. Self-inspections also are
conducted quarterly.
Siletz Tribal Head Start offers my
time at no cost to you to support family
nutrition over the telephone. Please con-
tact me if you have nutrition concerns
about your Head Start child. I can be
reached through your teacher to schedule a
phone call or by email at creativeenergy@
nancyludwig.com.
Smoothies • July 30, 2015
Dodgeball • July 31, 2015
Siletz Recreational Center
Kathy Kentta-Robinson, Healthy Traditions program, pours smoothies of multiple
flavors for kids to sample (below).
September 2015 •
Siletz News •
5
