FLORENCE - The Florence school district plans to expand its Head Start program in January.
Superintendent Kendy Behrends told the Board of Education on Tuesday night that an anticipated grant of $850,000 will fund an Early Head Start program for a minimum of two years.
The district would receive an additional $850,000 the second year.
The program would serve up to 80 children, ages birth to 3 years, and pregnant women.
Behrends said the federally funded program will be both home- and center-based.
She also announced Tuesday that Florence High School has received a national gold medal award from Columbia Press for its 2009 Signatures literary magazine.
"This publication - year after year - is phenomenal, and our congratulations go to Darlene Freeman and her students who repeatedly produce such top quality work," Behrends said.
The book contains artwork, poetry and a variety of other student writings.
Weeden Principal Chris Westbrook shared highlights from the school year to date.
He said 200 parents and 147 children attended the school's AMSTI night in September, calling the student demonstrations of math and science programs a "major success."