MFN Summer Newsletter 2014

July/August 2014

FAMILY CONCERTS & EVENTS at Wright’s Pond, Elm Street

A Summer Full of Family Fun! 7 Tuesday Evenings: 5:30—6:00 pm Family Activities 6:00—7:00 pm Concert/Event

July 8 Steve Lechner “Let the Magic Begin”

July 15 Matt Heaton & the Outside Toys July 22 All Hands Drumming* July 29 Ben Rudnick & Friends August 5 Rolie Polie Guacamole

August 12 Karen K & the Jitterbugs August 19 Ethan Rossiter & the Jamberries

Sing-A-Longs! Music! Movement! Dance! Open Art Activities! FREE Books and Community Information!

Wright’s Pond stickers are available for purchase at City Hall, Room 108, for $35.00. Wright’s Pond is open from June 30 to August 23. If you do not wish to purchase a sticker,

MFN will offer a FREE continuous shuttle bus to/from each concert - 3 Stops: Flynn Rink, Wright’s Pond, and the bus stop at the corner of Elm Street

and the Fellsway between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. In case we need to hold the event inside, due to inclement weather, please call the MFN at (781) 393-2106 from 4:00 pm on. Our

indoor site is located at the Senior Center, 101 Riverside Avenue. A Big Sippie Cup Salute to the Friends of the Medford Family Network

and the Medford Arts Council for sponsoring these concerts!

* All Hands Drumming is supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, a local agency

supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Summer 2014

Medford Family Network

of the Medford Public Schools

Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist [email protected]

Phone (781) 393-2106

website: www.medfordfamilynetwork.org http://www.medfordfamilies.org

Facebook - Medford Family Network

July/August Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

By appointment only!

The MFN Family Center has a whole new look!

Beautiful updated landscape on the outside, newly sanded and stained cubbies and

freshly painted walls on the inside. A deep appreciation to those who made our

Deloitte Day renovations a reality: Robyn Holdsworth, Joyce Nicholas,

Jen Ostrosky, Tamanna Rabbani, and the Medford Public Schools Building & Grounds department!

PLAYDATES FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS!

Brooks School Contact Eva Todtfeld and Liz White at

[email protected]

Dugger Park Tuesday, July 22 10:00 - 11:00 am Thursday, July 24 6:00 - 7:00 pm Monday, August 11 6:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 13 10:00 - 11:00 am

Columbus School Contact Jen DesAutel at [email protected]

Columbus School Playground Tuesday, August 26 6:00 - 8:00 pm Thursday, August 28 [Rain Date}

McGlynn School Contact Diane Guarino, Principal, at

(781) 393-2333, extension 5518

McGlynn School Playground Tuesday, July 29 9:00 am - 10:00 am Monday, August 25 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Roberts School Contact Roberts PTO at

[email protected]

Roberts School Playground Tuesday, July 29 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, August 22 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday, August 24 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Thursday, August 28 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

---------------------------- Every registered Kindergarten child should

have received a bag containing great supplies and activities/suggestions to support readiness

skill development. Make sure that your entering Kindergarten child has it! If your child has not received a bag and you are

registered, or need to register, please contact the Parent Information Center

at (781) 393-2132.

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Medford Family Network * 489 Winthrop Street * Medford, MA 02155 * (781) 393-2106 * www.medford.k12.ma.us

PLAYGROUPS IN THE PARK Facilitated by “Miss Andrea” Breen,

Playgroup Leader 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Tuesdays at Tufts Park! July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26

Thursdays at Capen Street Park!* July 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28

Fridays at Carr Park! July 11, 18, 25

Fridays at Harris Park! August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

==================

* Sprinkler at Capen Street Park!

Bubbles! Balls! Sidewalk Chalk! Art Activities! Parachute Play!

Children’s Play Structures! Free Books! Songs!

Summer Fun Activity Information and Community Resources!

Playgroups are FREE for families who live/work in Medford! Please register at the park each day you

attend.

If it is NOT pouring, we are playing! If it IS raining, please call the MFN to find out if we

will be at the park! (781) 393-2106

Pack a snack and a beverage! Bring sunscreen!

We will have a First Aid kit for emergencies!

Please call (781) 393-2106

regarding transportation options and/or directions. Call (617) 222-3200 or

visit www.mbta.com for the MBTA bus information!

SUMMER OUTDOOR FUN... WAYS TO PLAY TOGETHER!

SUMMER FAMILY FUN!

CIRCLE THE SQUARE Sponsored by CACHE

(Coalition for Arts, Culture and a Healthy Economy)

Thursday, July 17 4:00—8:00 pm

July Theme: “Move Your Body” with

Knucklebones….For the Love of Play!

Thursday, August 21 4:00—8:00 pm

August Theme: “What’s Your Story?” Family Collage Making

Art! Food! Shopping! Live Music and Performances! All ages!

To learn more, visit www.circlethesquare.org


Farmers Market City Hall, George P. Hassett Drive,

Medford

Every Thursday; 3:00—7:00 pm

Join Us on MFN DAY at the Market! Thursday, July 24, 2013

Face Painting! Fun Activities! Very Veggie Scavenger Hunt!

Drop-in format.

System of Care 4th Annual Community Resource Fair

For Families & Providers!

Wednesday, August 13; 3:00—5:00 pm

Location: Malden High School, Building B, 77 Salem Street, Malden

Visit the MFN table for games, crafts, and information packets

Explore mental health, physical health, recreational and educational resources in your

area. AND….live superheroes, games and crafts, drumming (3:30 pm), and face painting.

Courtyard Kids Play & Learn Group Facilitated by Laura Ingano, MFN Parent Leader

2 Fridays; July 31; August 29 10:00—11:30 am

Location: Courtyard Nursing Care Center, 200 Governors Avenue

Intergenerational play and learn group with residents of the Courtyard Nursing Care Center. Interactive activities include songs, dances, ball play, bubbles,

story time, and snack. Children will receive a gift and a snack from the Courtyard Nursing Center staff.

Call the MFN (781) 393-2106 to register

Babes in the Woods Sponsored by the Friends of the Middlesex Fells

Hike & Seeks (Nature-themed scavenger hunts)

Tuesdays; 10:00—10:45 am

Babes Hikes (For parents who carry their children)

Tuesdays; 11:00 am—12:00 pm

Contact the Friends of the Middlesex Fells at

(781) 662-2340 for more information

Fun and Friendship for New Moms!

Facilitated by Aine O’Malley, MFN Parent Leader

Every Wednesday in July and August 12:00—1:30 pm

Are you a new mom? Join a group of others who know exactly what you mean by the word “tired.” Welcome to a great supportive network and a wonderful opportunity

to meet new friends for yourself and new potential playmates for your child. Learn about MFN resources:

Babies, Bibs and Books, a complimentary gift bag; Ages & Stages questionnaire, a tool to learn about your child’s growth and development; Community Resource Directory; Freebie Foyer of new and gently-used items.

Call (781) 393-2106 with questions/further details.

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FREE FUN FRIDAYS - VISIT & ENJOY!

66 Museums & Cultural Venues

For more information, please contact Highland Street Foundation at (617) 969-8900 or visit www.highlandstreet.org.

Friday, June 27 Friday, July 4 Franklin Park Zoo Heritage Museums & Gardens Cape Cod Maritime Museum Edward Gorey House Worcester Art Museum Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Tanglewood Amelia Park Children’s Museum The Sports Museum Falmouth Museums on the Green Mass MOCA MIT Museum

Friday, July 11 Friday, July 18 JFK Library & Museum Museum of Fine Arts Peabody Essex Museum Ocean Explorium Worcester Historical Museum The Eric Carle Museum Fruitlands Museum Larz Anderson Auto Museum Cape Cod Children’s Museum Springfield Museum New England Historic Genealogical Society Mass Audobon’s Boston Nature Center Pilgrim Hall Museum Sandwich Glass Museum

Friday, July 25 Friday, August 1 The Freedom Trail Foundation Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Battleship Cove Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Children’s Museum in Easton American Textile History Museum Tower Hill Botanic Garden The Discovery Museums Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Hancock Shaker Village Cape Cod Museum of Art Concord Museum Danforth Art Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Friday, August 8 Friday, August 15 Boston Harbor Islands National Park The Institute of Contemporary Art Clark Art Institute Plimoth Plantation Wenham Museum Garden in the Woods USS Constitution Museum Museum of Russian Icons Children’s Museum at Holyoke Fitchburg Art Museum Volleyball Hall of Fame Historic Deerfield Fuller Craft Museum Reagle Music Theatre

Friday, August 22 Friday, August 29 Boston Children’s Museum Buttonwood Park Zoo Museum of African American History Ecotarium New Bedford Whaling Museum Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Old Manse, Trustees of Reservations Norman Rockwell Museum Berkshire Museum The Mount: Edith Wharton’s Home Emily Dickinson Museum Griffin Photography Museum


Medford Public Library www.medfordlibrary.org

Check out the Medford Public Library Summer 2014 Newsletter that includes many wonderful programs for children such as: Rainbow Magic Fairy Time, Vinny’s Little Puppet Show, Stars/Space/And More, Pigs Love Reading, Ready for Kindergarten, Super Hero Training Day, Summer Reading

for Kids/Teens/Adults.

Summer Reading signup is at www.readsinma.org/medford Summer Newsletter is at www.booksite.com/newsletter/mpl_summer14_5671.pdf#view=Fit

Library Survey is at www.surveymonkey.com/s/57KRDX3

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Friends of the Medford Family Network Board (FMFN)

The FMFN is a nonprofit corporation comprised of MFN parents who promote, support and raise

funds for MFN programs. We are currently looking for individuals to serve on the Board for

Fiscal Year 2015 (July 2014 to June 2015).

Help us plan our annual fundraisers that include the Annual Gala “A Night of 10,000 Lights”, the February Family Fun Festival, and other events. We meet one evening a month in the home of a

Board member and as needed to ensure successful events.

FMFN want to help celebrate MFN’s 20 wonderful years with a limited edition 20th

anniversary t-shirt that features the 20th anniversary MFN logo on a light blue shirt.

Available in a full selection of sizes from youth to adult. Honor the past and support the future of

the MFN and order online at www.booster.com/friendsofmfn.

Want to order, but do not have computer or access? Please call the MFN at (781) 393-2106.

For more information, please contact Co-Presidents, Eula Kozma at

(908) 370-7562 or [email protected] OR Beth Pilling at (617) 501-2861 or

[email protected]


Medford Family Network Advisory Board (MFN)

We are seeking new Board Members for the upcoming fiscal year 2015 (July 2014 to June 2015). You are welcome to join at any time.

Current committees are...

Marketing/Public Relations Committee To focus on communications, including MFN 20th

anniversary publicity, press and social media.

Program Committee To advise on program development and

implementation and to assist in the planning and promotion of the Early Education and Care Fair.

Parent Ambassador Program We Need You ASAP!

We are seeking parents who have had positive experiences with the Network and are willing to “Spread the Good News” at local citywide events such as Circle the Square, Farmers Market, and

Tufts Community Day. The goal is to train individuals and create teams of parents who will

outreach to Medford families. We want to ensure that everyone is aware of what the Network has to

offer and that they have a voice in it!

For more information, please contact Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist, at

(781) 393-2106 or [email protected].

School Readiness and Early Childhood Curriculum Committee (SRECCC)

We are seeking Pre K, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 parents. Next meeting: Monday,

October 6 at 3:30 pm at the MFN Family Center.

For more information, please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool

Director at (781) 393-2211 or [email protected].

Medford Family Resource Coalition Council (MFRC)

The Council is an early childhood advisory board. Next meeting: Thursday, October 2 from

6:00—8:00 pm at the MFN Family Center.

For more information, please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool

Director at (781) 393-2211 or [email protected].

PARENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN GOOD PEOPLE DOING GREAT THINGS!

WHAT IS THE MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK?

The Medford Family Network of the Medford Public Schools is a FREE universal (everyone welcome) parenting education and family support program focusing on the positive impact on the

developmental process of children, birth to age 8, and supporting the families that care for them. All adults who live or work in Medford, caring for young children, are welcome!

This accomplished through parenting education workshops; discussion groups; age-specific play and learn groups; new

moms groups; home visitations; family events; a lending library; a family resource/drop-in center; information and referral services; family literacy initiatives; and individual

consultations.

There are programs for dads, grandparents, single parents, parents who speak languages other than English, working

parents, at-home parents, and more. Programs are held at a variety of sites around the city – weekdays, evenings and

weekends. Many activities are co-sponsored with other family-serving agencies.

Please consider a parent advisory or parent ambassador leadership role!

We welcome your participation!

Bids for Medford Family Network Consultant Work

We are currently seeking bids for Child Care Workers, Playgroup Leaders, Parent Educators, and Office Aide (9 hours/week) for Fiscal Year 2015. Please mail or email written quotes by Friday, July 25 to:

Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool Director 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155

Telephone: 781-393-2211 Email: [email protected]

Written quotes should be on letterhead with name, address and telephone # and contain the following

information: position (e.g., child care worker, playgroup leader, parent educator) and hourly rate for service to

be rendered.

Wish List

Lysol Wipes Paper Towels Tissues Hand Wipes

Our BIGGEST wish is that you know how much we

appreciate your support! No matter what it is, we

are most grateful for your kindness and

thoughtfulness.

A FRIEND TO KNOW…A PLACE TO GROW! MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK

MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL 489 WINTHROP STREET MEDFORD, MA 02155

PHONE: (781) 393-2106 FAX: (781) 393-2123

Medford Family Network is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant, the Children’s Trust, the Friends of the Medford Family Network, Corp., and the generous donations from

our families and friends.

Documents

MFN Summer Newsletter 2014