A large group of Kalispell Head Start students and their parents livened up Wel-Life of Kalispell Thursday evening, sharing pizza and some of their favorite songs with the assisted-living residents.

Teacher Michelle Browne said pre-school students from four different classes rehearsed for three weeks to polish their performance of “Five Little Ducks,” “Slippery Fish,” “Five Green Speckled Frogs” and “I’m a Caterpillar.”

“They like songs that are lively and have lots of motion to them,” Browne said. “You need that or you’ll lose them.”

The Head Start contingent brought along their musical maintenance man Paul Beebe who sang and played his 1927 Washburn guitar as the children danced, much to the delight of the residents. Frank Hinkle accompanied him on the harmonica.

Hinkle, a nurse at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, jumped in to assist Beebe at the last minute but the two played together seamlessly.

“I’ve known Paul forever,” he said.

According to teacher Deb Christiansen, the children refer to Beebe as Elvis at school. He showed why by performing favorites like “Jail House Rock” that got the children rocking out and their parents and residents tapping their feet.

The event was part of a series of outings that forms part of the Head Start Program.

“We have family fun night once a month,” Christiansen said. “We wanted to reach out to the community and we chose Wel-Life.”

She said the parents do most of the planning for family fun night. The school supports them in pulling off events.

“In January, they went to Home Depot and made birdhouses,” she said. “It was great. We had so many parents there.”

Head Start stresses parental involvement as part of its comprehensive child development program. Along with educational services, the program also addresses children’s medical, dental, mental health, nutrition and other areas deemed critical to give a boost to targeted youth as they begin their life journey.

Browne said too many parents assume that their children don’t qualify for the program. She said that income represents just one of the factors considered in admitting a child into the program.

“Enrollment is starting now,” she said. “We tell the community to come and enroll. Don’t write it off before you try.”

On Thursday, the family involvement and enjoyment of the Wel-Life visit was apparent. Browne said the children loved learning their songs as well as making the spring cards that they handed to each resident.

“It gets them to think beyond their little circle,” she said. “It helps them to appreciate the community and find out ‘Oh the community appreciates me.’”

 Colleen Sperry, RN and service coordinator at Wel-Life, said it was another command performance from the Head Start students.

“They came at Christmas and did a program and interacted with the residents,” she said. “They love having the kids come.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.