
When a child is enrolled at Children First, parents or other caregivers become part of our family too. If you have a child attending Children First, please refer to this page for important updates and information.
Resources & materials for families
We follow the Sarasota County School District calendar for holidays and school closures, unless otherwise noted. News and announcements are also posted on the Children First Facebook page.
Please click here for the 2021-2022 school calendar.
All parents are asked to review the Parent Handbook, which contains school rules, conduct, expectations and more. If you would like to review the handbook in Spanish, please click here. Together, we can create a positive, peaceful, and happy school environment!
Comprehensive Services Newsletter
Each month, our Comprehensive Services team puts together a newsletter for parents and caregivers with helpful lifestyle information and the latest program updates.
October 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive ServicesOctober 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
September 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
September 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
August 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
August 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
July 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
July 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
June 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
June 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
May 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
May 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
April 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
April 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
March 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
March 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
February 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
February 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
January 2021 Newsletter - Introduction to Comprehensive Services
January 2021 Newsletter (Spanish Version) - Introduccion a Servicios Comprensivos
Program Management Team
Directors

Kathleen Sullivan, MACD
Vice President of Programs and Early Head Start/Head Start Director

Brigette Davis, M.A.
Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Director

Dr. Melania Kesoglou, Ed.S., Ph.D.
Director of Education

Meredith Mitchell, B.A.
Director of Family Services

Wendy T. Harris, M.Ed.
Director of Comprehensive Services
Comprehensive Services

Arianne Kopacz, M.A., LMHC
Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

Bonnie Eskell, M.A.
Special Needs Coordinator

Jane Shaw, M.S., SLP
Special Needs Coordinator

Champaigne Spivey, MPH, CPH
Health and Nutrition Services Manager

Melissa Schwartz, B.S.
Nutrition Coordinator
Family Services

Maria Buitrago, B.A., FDLC
Family Advocate Coach

Jennifer Kinney, B.A.
Family Services Coordinator

Laura Peppard, M.A.
Vocational Family Advocate

Diane Cholcher, B.S., WIP
Vocational Family Advocate

Jack Baker, B.S.A.S. in Early Childhood Development
Families First Institute Manager

Marlene Rose, A.A.
Families First Institute Coordinator