While it's not a Salisbury School District program, Head Start classes are coming to Harry S Truman Elementary School and Principal Barbara Samide says she is delighted at the prospect.

"We are going to see 20 new Salisbury pre-kindergarten children in our school for the next school year," she said.

"They will be part of a program that will better prepare them for when they enter kindergarten as school district students. The program will also allow them to acclimate to the school, the staff and the teachers. We also expect to see involvement in activities by many parents. It's a wonderful opportunity for all of us."

Administered by Community Services for Children of the Lehigh Valley, the Head Start program helps pre-kindergarten children master the skills expected of them when they start attending public school.

The children should know their letters, the sounds the letters typically make and rhyming words. They are expected to count to 10 and recognize these numbers. Kindergartners are expected to be able to sit for several hours a day, know how to share and take turns.

Head Start began in the Lehigh Valley in 1965 during President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty programs. Today there are more than 50 Head Start classrooms across the Lehigh Valley, most run independently, and some run in conjunction with public schools.

To be eligible for this free education, a child must be at least three years old and the family income cannot exceed the federal poverty guideline.

Head Start is a two-generation program which works with families as well as with children with the goal of family strength and healthy growth. Physical, mental and social health are encouraged, along with learning literacy, math, science, and the arts.

This will be the first year the Head Start program is being offered to Salisbury Township families.

The Head Start classroom experience will be offered in a ground level classroom in HST in a former Title 1 learning area relocated to another part of the school.

Information on documents needed, and a link to an online application can be found on the Salisbury Township School District website at www.stsd.org.

Interested families may also contact Patricia Daza at Community Services for Children with questions or to add a child's name to the list by calling 610-437-6000, ext. 2125.

More information is also available at the Community Services for Children website at www.cscinc.org.