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SOUTH HADLEY FAMILY CENTER CAREGIVER CONNECTION
May 6, 2010
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Planning for next year: We will be brainstorming, reviewing, discussing, and ultimately making decisions about our 2010-2011 program during the following meetings – all will be held in the Center – childcare is available for the evening meetings with pre-registration. Come share your ideas and two cents!
1) Thursday, May 13th at 10am (During playgroup – we’ll consider plans for next year… including a new “membership” option and volunteer opportunities.)
2) Wednesday, May 26th at 6:30-8:30pm (During our May PAC meeting – we’ll draft a budget for next year.)
*The Child Development Specialist, Debbie Roth-Howe, will be available Tuesdays, May 11th and May 25th. Plan to pop in to say hello and ask a question about your child’s development!
*As decided at the March PAC meeting based on our budget our last day for the year will be Thursday, May 27th! However the good news is that Dolores will open the Center for two additional Wednesdays – June 2nd and 9th!
*End of the Year Picnic & Fire Engine Wash: Mark your calendar and watch for upcoming details! On Thursday, May 27th we’ll meet at the Family Center and then head over to the South Hadley District 2 Fire Department for a visit that will include “washing” the fire engine! Bring your lunch and following our visit we’ll picnic on the lawn at The Sycamores next door! A wonderful way to celebrate the end of a great year! Pre-registration is required. Please see Kristin for more information.
* You’ve met other children and caregivers at the Family Center this year – you’d love to keep playing with them during the summer break!? With just a few weeks left till summer break why not be bold - offer your contact information and suggest you meet at a local park the same day/time that you usually both go to the Family Center. Kristin has scrap paper in her office on the desk under the computer and there are crayons in the closet! J
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
*We are currently seeking a volunteer Secretary for the Parent Advisory Council. It is a wonderful way to get involved – and keep your resume fresh! In short this position is taking and distributing meeting notes once a month, sending thank you notes as needed for gifts, filing very brief annual reports to the state (1 page), and compiling the newsletter (just collecting what others send). If you or someone you know is interested – or would like more information - please contact Kelly!
*We are also going to need a Treasurer and President for the Parent Advisory Council next year! In order to open in the fall we’ll need your help! Interested? Want to learn more? Please touch base with Kristin, Kelly or any PAC member – or join us at an upcoming meeting!
*PAC Meeting: Wednesday, May 26th from 6:30-7:30pm - Each month the Parent Advisory Council, a governing volunteer team of parents/caregivers, meets to plan programs and discuss ways to make the SHFC the best it can be. As a volunteer driven organization your involvement and ideas are key to our continued success. If you are interested in getting more involved (or just learning about how the Center operates) this is a great meeting to sit in on - all are welcome! For more information ask Kristin or any Parent Volunteer.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
Watch for an upcoming email update….
WISH LIST: Would you like to make a donation of items we frequently use - in particular right now we are looking for…
A plastic container that seals tightly to store the pretzels
2-Drawer File Cabinet
Newish computer printer/ copier
Book of stamps
COMMUNITY RESOURCES/ EVENTS:
*Kindergarten registrations are happening now! In South Hadley contact Plains Elementary for application materials at (413) 538-5068.
*New Playground Fun at Buttery Brook Park: The next time you bring your family to Buttery Brook Park (on Route 33 near Chicopee), you'll find new playground equipment to explore. In addition to a new play structure for small kids, your little adventurers can fly on a 2-seater airplane and a bang on a drum set. The highlight is a new, huge sandbox area - it's two working ride-on diggers make it the coolest sandbox around! Hours of fun for kids who like sand! The goats, sheep and chickens will welcome you as you walk in. When you go, you'll see that the skate park is being moved over a bit so the area behind and above the playground will become a large grassy area that gives parents a great view of the fenced-in play area. See you at the park!
* Picnic at the Park! Come check out the new playground equipment at Buttery Brook Park on Monday, May 31st. Bring your picnic lunch and join us at Buttery Brook Park after the Memorial Day Parade. Celebratory cake will be served!
* YogaKids - YogaKids is a yoga class for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. The YogaKids program blends stories, music, creative arts, earthcare, and relaxation with yoga movement to educate the "whole" child. Through YogaKids, children grow strong physically, mentally, and emotionally, and develop their imagination, attention span and self-esteem. In YogaKids classes, traditional yoga techniques have been recreated in playful and simple ways. Each class is 30 minutes long and always ends with relaxation. The six week session is $42. Children should come dressed in comfortable clothing with the ability to have barefeet during class. Instructor Dana Orsman will be offering another session of YogaKids in South Hadley later this spring. If you are interested please contact her directly for more information at 322-9233 or email her at danadaveo@yahoo.co.nz.
Dana Orsman, M.Ed, is a Certified Yoga Teacher and YogaKids Facilitator, who has been teaching yoga since 2004. She has taught people ages 3 to 85 in both the United States and in New Zealand. Dana received her certification to teach yoga to children in 2005, through the highly acclaimed children's yoga program, YogaKids. She is a South Hadley resident and mother of an energetic toddler.
*South Hadley Community Rowing – learn to row classes scheduled for June! Contact Coach Beth at shadleycrew@gmail.com – or touch base with Kelly! Have you rowed in the past and would like to get back on the water? Always wanted to try?! Now is your chance!
* Wine, Cheese and Chocolate – a winetasting fundraiser and Big Basket Raffle at the Gaylord Memorial Library on Fri. May 21, 5:30-7. Great night out opportunity!!!
*All4Kids Sale – a baby and children’s gear sale that is totally worth a look! Weekend of May 22-23 – visit http://www.stphilipseasthampton.org
*Rise and Shine Academy Baby & Children’s Tag Sale – Saturday, May 15th at
* FAMILY MUSIC TIME With Debbie Weyl, registered Music Together® teacher and Director of Music Together for Valley Families on Wednesdays May 12 - 26th at 1:30pm at the Scantic Valley YMCA, Wilbraham. Family Music Time is a fun interactive program for children 0-5 years old with the grownups who love them designed to nurture musical growth. Activities include singing, chanting, creative movement and instrument play. If you have any questions please feel free to contact
Cindy Milner at 583-3527.
* PARENT-CONNECT Education Series - DINNER-EDUCATION-CHILDCARE
All are welcome! Mothers, fathers, grandparents, childcare providers,
Teachers. All caregivers will benefit from Parent-Connect. Workshops will be held at: Kids Village Media Center, 35 Post Office Park Wilbraham— 6-8 PM. All Parent-Connect workshops are $5.00 per person and will include: Childcare, Pizza and Fun! Register Today call or c_milner@ludlowps.org
May 12, 2010 Family Stress, Anxiety and Depression
"Why are we SO stressed out?" Come hear and talk about why families are so stressed, discover that you are not crazy or alone, and what you can do de-stress yourself and your family" presentation by MotherWoman, local organization empowering and supporting mothers (and fathers) to positive personal and social change. Presented by MotherWoman, Inc.
May 19, 2010 Men in the Lives of Children
This panel of fathers led by child and family therapist Dr Rob Robinson will discuss the important roll that father play in the lives of children. They will explore the tools necessary to maintain healthy relationships and build loving interactions with children from the time they are born to adulthood. This workshop is an interactive give and take of information and ideas and will support the important role of the father.
May 26, 2010 Ready to Learn
Summer is around the corner and children continue to learn what do parents need to know about child development, the importance of learning experiences that parents provide for their child from birth and what can parents do to keep children learning even when school is out! Fun and hands on activities will give parents ideas for summer.
*New Parent Child Playgroup - Wednesdays, 12:30- 2 PM at the Scantic Valley YMCA in Post Office Park, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Parents w/children birth to 5 years old will discover: Stimulating activities for children, Information about child growth and development, Support for healthy families, A welcoming place for women with stress, anxiety and depression. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Cindy Milner at 583-3527
*Yoga Sanctuary located on the 3rd Floor of Thornes Marketplace on Main St in Noho offers family friendly classes. We welcome all ages and abilities. For more info, visit www.yoga-sanctuary.com or call 413-585-YOGA.
* Alphabet Soup Childcare Center is opening a second location on the corner of Route 47 & 116 from the Hampshire Christian Academy in South Hadley! We are very excited for this venture. Please visit our website for more information at WWW.ASCC.COMCASTBIZ.NET
*Have something to share? Send it along and we’ll include it in our next newsletter!
EVERYDAY REMINDERS:
*We are open for the year: Monday-Thursday from 9:30-11:30am.
*We follow the South Hadley school calendar... when they are closed - we are closed, when they are delayed - we are closed.
*EVERYONE (including returning caregivers and families) is asked to complete a Caregiver Registration Form at their first visit. There is a sign-in sheet by the door. Please sign in each time you visit - all this information is used to support our grant funding. The registration form is attached for your convenience. Thank you for your support!
*Tuesdays = Babies First Year Day... babies are welcome every day but Tuesdays are a wonderful opportunity to connect with other caregivers of infants and babies - all ages are also welcome!
*Wednesdays = Provider Day... a great way to meet local childcare providers - all are also welcome!
*The Monthly Calendar is posted in Room 1 and offers a look ahead to special events, fund raising activities, and upcoming field trips.
*The state continues to recommend that all children and caregivers wash their hands BEFORE & AFTER playgroup. There are hand sanitizers at the check-in cart - and both bathrooms have stepstools available.
*Please feel free to bring your own healthy snack & beverage to eat in room 3. Of special note - we are now a NUT-FREE zone! Our intention is to limit the risk to children with allergies - thank you for your cooperation! Kristin has a great handout of nut-free snack ideas....
*The Center is a non-profit organization and a $2 donation is suggested per visit. Monthly or annual contributions are also welcome - let us know if you would like a receipt for your records, all gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law! Any donation you, your family, or your business/ employer can make is needed and will be appreciated! (Please know that ALL are welcome and no one will be turned away if they are unable to make a donation.)
A final update regarding our end of year plans – and preparations for next year:
Our last day of regular playgroup is scheduled to be Thursday, May 27th. PLUS Dolores will open the Center for two “bonus” days on the Wednesdays, June 2 and 9. Yay - and thank you to Dolores!
As a special end of the year treat on Thursday, May 27th we will have a fieldtrip to the District 2 Fire Station (across the street.) We will meet at 9:30 inside at the Family Center for a Fire Fighter themed story time - and a safety review for us adults (i.e. what to do if the Fire Department has a call when we are there!) We’ll then walk and cross the street together to visit the Fire Station. (The Center will remain open for those who do not wish to join the field trip.)
As part of our tour we will have the special privilege of helping to “wash” a Fire Engine! Fire Fighter Scott will provide all the supplies – we’ll just be washing with water, no chemicals. All we need to provide is close supervision. Pre-registration is requested so that we can give the Fire Department a head count. Please sign up on the wall in Room 1. Following our time at the Fire Station we have been invited to picnic on the Sycamores House side lawn – so bring your blanket and a picnic lunch! (In the event that it is raining we’ll picnic at the Family Center instead.)
With much hard work (plus three unexpected gifts that will not be repeated) as of May 6th we have raised $6387.06 for the year. This means that we expect to end the year almost breaking even. If we are short it hopefully will be less than $200… which we will take from savings and still be able to maintain most of our necessary one year savings cushion. So with all this in mind at our last PAC meeting we began to draft our budget for next year. Looking ahead we expect to once again run a budget shortfall of almost $1,000. Without significant changes to our income and/or expenses our budget remains essentially the same as this year… which you might recall was expected to run short by about the same amount until recently when we received the unexpected gifts.
Right now we are open 4 days a week – three with our paid coordinator, and one with a Child Care Mentor (Dolores) who is paid for through the Hampshire Educational Collaborative. Essentially, we benefit by having Dolores “assigned” to work out of the Family Center once a week. (Though we all know she does much more than just that!) Unfortunately, there is a strong possibility that she will not be available to us next year which means there is already a chance that we will only be open 3 days a week… this was something folks agreed we should try to minimize or avoid. And so the discussion began about what our options were to avoid going to 3 or even 2 days a week….
One idea was the possibility of offering “memberships.” The details have not yet been worked out or debated – we are collecting examples from other Centers and programs - but essentially caregivers could choose to either make a daily donation (as we all do now) or to invest in a membership (amounts, etc. TBD). As always no one would be turned away who was not able to participate financially. One benefit might be that we would stabilize our income earlier in the year… one concern might be that our other donations go down....
What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions or ideas we should consider?
As a cooperative playgroup your opinion counts! Please plan to join the conversation/ brainstorm this Thursday at 10am (5/13) or at the next PAC meeting on Wednesday, May 26th at 6:30pm. If you aren’t able to be there in person – please make a note on one of the big pink posters in Room 1, reply to this email, or chat with Kristin or Kelly! |
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