PARENTS
From birth, parents are often one of the most influential role models in a child’s life. That’s why Reach-Up is passionate about providing resources to and partnering with parents starting during pregnancy. As our partner in helping provide a strong foundation for your child, below is more information about our programs, services, and resources available.
Emphasis on Attendance
Between birth and age five, the brain develops more than any other time in life. Your child is learning all the time. During the first five years, these learning experiences help build connections in the brain to prepare for future learning. If your child misses 2 days a month of preschool, he/she likely won’t be reading at grade level by grade 3.
Health & Wellness Resources
Reach-Up has our very own Virtual Wellness Room. This is a space for staff, families, and our Reach-Up community to find tools, strategies, and resources to help manage overall wellness.
Visit Virtual Wellness Room
Reach-Up also maintains a Mental Health blog that features a variety of resources for the whole family.
Visit Mental Health Blog
Healthy, Nutritious Snacks & Meals
Reach-Up Head Start proudly prepares nutritious meals and snacks for the children we serve. We participate and follow the meal pattern set by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). At Reach-Up Head Start, we introduced your child to a wide variety of foods. Our menus reflect the diverse cultures represented in our program. No pork is offered on our menus. Daily breakfast and lunch are served family meal style to promote a positive environment for children to try new foods and learn table manners while engaging in a lively conversation.
We are proud to partner with local farmers from the Central Minnesota area to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables to our children at all centers. Look for our Farm to Head Start symbol on the menus.
Below are the current menus available for viewing and printing:
Click here to learn more about our accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies.
Quick Links for Parents of Enrolled Children
- WCCO School Closings
- Parent Handbook 2023-2024
- Somali Parent Handbook 2023-2024
- Annual PII Parental Rights
- Sick Children: When to Stay Home & When to Return to School
- Child Care Release Form
- Emergency Contacts Form
- Dental Exam Form
- Health – Plan of Care Form
- Health – Plan of Care ALLERGY ONLY Form
- Permission to Administer Medication Form
- Physical Exam Form
- Section B Form
- Allergy Prevention and Response Plan
- Education Philosophy
- Handling and Disposal of Bodily Fluids
- Nap Policy
- Special Diet Statement
Additional Resources
Helpful Websites
- Child Passenger Safety
- Find Car Seat Checks
- Minnesota Parents Know
- Common Sense Media
- Choosy Kids
- Center on the Social & Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
- Technical Assistance Center of Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI)
- Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
- Minnesota Workforce Center
Local School Districts
- Albany Area School District 745
- Becker School District 726
- Belgrade – Brooten – Elrosa School District 2364
- Big Lake School District – 727
- Elk River Area School District 728
- Foley School District 51
- Holdingford School District 738
- Kimball School District 739
- Melrose Area School District 740
- Paynesville School District 741
- ROCORI School District 750
- St. Cloud Area School District 742
- Sartell School District 748
- Sauk Centre School District 743
- Sauk Rapids/Rice School District 47