Medford Family Network Newsletter

Medford Family Network Medford High School 489 Winthrop Street Medford, MA 02155

of the Medford Public Schools

Summer 2011

FAMILY CONCERTS AT WRIGHTS

A Summer Full of Family Fun at Wrights Pond, Elm Street, Medford 7 Tuesday Evenings: 6:00 p.m. to Sunset July 12 Steve Blunt July 19 David Polansky July 26 Liz Buchanan Alastair Moock and Friends August 2 August 9 Flannery Brothers August 16 Ben Rudnick & Friends August 23 Sonhu Meu
Purchase Your Wrights Pond Sticker ($35.00) at City Hall: Treasurer/Collectors Office, Room 108, City Hall A sticker is not necessary to attend Family Concerts. Saturday, June 25 through Saturday, August 28, 2011 Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm and Friday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm FREE continuous shuttle bus to/from each concert 3 Stops: Flynn Rink, Wrights Pond, Bus stop at corner of Elm Street and the Fellsway 5:00 - 8:00 pm Any questions? Call (781) 393-2106

Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us Phone (781) 393-2106 website: www.medford.k12.ma.us http://www.medfordfamilies.org Find Us On Facebook Medford Family Network Summer Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Call for an appointment!

FREE Summer Concerts

Medford City Hall Plaza

In Tune with Medford

4 Thursdays; 7:009:00 pm July 7 Masquerade July 14 The Continentals July 21 Ben Rudnick & Friends July 28 Sgt. Dan Clark & Mary Clark
For more information, please call (781) 393-2450

SUMMER OUTDOOR FUN!

CALL MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK (781) 393-2106

PARENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN GOOD PEOPLE DOING GREAT THINGS! Friends of the Medford Family Network Board (FMFN)
The Friends is a nonprofit corporation comprised of MFN parents who promote, support, and assist in raising funds for MFN programs. We are seeking parents with grant writing, fundraising, outreach, or accounting experience.

Soccer Nights Camp

Ages 5 - 12! All Skill Levels Welcome!

July 11 - 15; 6:008:15 pm

Hormel Stadium Locust Street, Medford, MA
Soccer Nights is a FREE evening soccer clinic for kids that seek to promote athletic skill, leadership development and city-wide unity. Quality Soccer Instruction! Games & Scrimmages! FREE T-shirt! Fun, Family Atmosphere! For more information or to register, visit www.soccernights.org, or contact Tanner Turley at (781) 866-6095

For more information, please contact Debbie Steiner-Hayes, President at (617) 967-2246

Medford Family Network Advisory Board (MFN)

We are seeking new Board Members for the upcoming year, July 2011- June 2012. Call to have a current Board Member speak with you about this opportunity as a parent leader! Our Committees are

Administrative/Ad Hoc Committee

To review the bylaws and other administrative items and to develop and prepare for the Boards annual election.

Legislative Action Committee

Farmers Market
Whole Foods Parking Lot 2151 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA Every Thursday until October 13; 3:007:00 pm

To be aware of legislative bills and state and federal policies that affect children and their families, and host activities such as an annual Legislative Breakfast.

Marketing/Public Relations Committee

To focus on all communications, including brochures, press, newsletter and social media.

Outreach Committee
To focus on reaching out to all parents and families who live and/or work in Medford.

Join Us on MFN DAY at the Market! Thursday, July 28, 2011

Face Painting! Fun Activities! Info Packet!

Program Committee
To advise on program development and implementation; to identify/write grants for programs.

For more information, please contact Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist at (781) 393-2106 or mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us.

BABES IN THE WOODS Sponsored by the Mass Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
9 Tuesdays; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:0011:30 am
Outdoor Drop-In Playgroup! Bring family and friends, snacks and drinks! Explore the Middlesex Fells in all its summer beauty with hike leader, Terry Murray. Call (781) 662-2340 for more information or directions, or check out their website at www.fells.org/visit/events.cfm

Medford Family Resource Coalition Council (MFRC)

The Council is an early childhood governing body

For more information , please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool Director at (781) 393-2211 or sgross@medford.k12.ma.us.

School Readiness and Early Childhood Curriculum Committee (SRECCC)

Seeking PreK, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 parents.

or more information , please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool Director at (781) 393-2211 or sgross@medford.k12.ma.us.

Medford Family Network * 489 Winthrop Street * Medford, MA 02155 * (781) 393-2106 * www.medford.k12.ma.us 2

MEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

111 HIGH STREET MEDFORD, MA 02155 (781) 395-7950 WWW.MEDFORDPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Sing-a-long Leader, Liza Kitchell

Ages Birth to 36 Months!

Family Performances
4 Thursday Evenings; 7:00 pm

2 Friday mornings; July 15; August 12 10:0011:00 am

Drop-in format! Parent/child interactive songfests! Have lots of fun and enjoy singing, clapping and action with your baby or toddler!

July 14 August 4 August 11 August 18

Flutesweet & Tickletoon Little Kids, Little Songs Nappys Puppets presents A Shadow Show for Young & Old Drumming with Craig Harris Sparkys Puppets presents Aesops Fables

Summer Story Times

Ages 2 to 5!

Science Magic
Presented by the Museum of Science

5 Wednesday mornings; July 13, 20, 27; August 3, 10 10:00 am

Drop-in format! Summer is a great time to listen to stories! Simple craft included, too!

Friday, July 22 10:00 am

Drop-in format! Children under 7 must sit with an adult.

Wild Animals
Presented by Jungle Encounters, Wild Animal Shows

Summer Reading Clubs

Monday, June 27 through Friday, August 12 Young Readers Club
For toddlers and children entering Kindergarten! Come to the library once a week and fill out your reading booklet with stickers for the books you read or have read to you.

Friday, August 19 10:00 am

Drop-in format! Meet small animals from around the world. Find out where each one lives and how it survives. This animal show promises to be a unique, fun and ever-memorable experience!

Older Readers Club

For children entering Grades 1 - 6! Come to the library once a week and receive a sticker with your name on it and try to find the secret spot on our One World Many Stories library poster.

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

SUMMER OUTDOOR FUN... WAYS TO PLAY TOGETHER!

PLAYDATES FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS!

PLAYGROUPS IN THE PARK

9:00 - 11:00 AM
Toot! Toot! Tuesdays at Playstead Park!
July 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23

Brooks School
Contact Andrea at abrand.home@gmail.com or Brooks School at (781) 393-2166.
Dugger Park

Wet & Wild Wednesdays at Capen Street Park!*

July 13, 20, 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24

Tuesday, July 19 Thursday, July 21 Monday, August 8 Wednesday, August 10

10:00 - 11:00 am 6:00 - 7:00 pm 6:00 - 7:00 pm 10:00 - 11:00 am

Columbus School
Contact Emily Graves at (781) 396-5970 or emilysg613@gmail.com and/or Sonia Jorge at (781) 306-1530 or sjorge@mac.com
Columbus School Playground

Thrilln & Chilln Thursdays at Victory Park!

July 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25 Bubbles! Balls! Sidewalk Chalk! Art Activities! Parachute Play! Childrens Play Structures! Free Books! Hula Hoops! Songs! Summer Fun Activity and Information! Community Resources! *Sprinkler at Capen Street Park!
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 Drop-in Format. Please register at the park each day you attend. 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 for the MBTA bus information! *Please bring a bathing suit, towel, and extra clothing.

Wednesday, July 13 Wednesday, August 10 Wednesday, September 7

5:30 - 7:30 pm 5:30 - 7:30 pm 5:00 - 7:00 pm

McGlynn School
Please contact Rebecca Sargent, Principal, at (781) 393-2333 for upcoming schedule of playdates.

Roberts School
Contact Donna Davis at (781) 395-2899 or dondavis@comcast.net Roberts School Playground Friday, July 8 9:00 - 10:00 am Wednesday, July 20 6:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesday, July 26 9:00 - 10:00 am Wednesday, August 3 9:00 - 10:00 am Thursday, August 25 9:00 - 10:00 am Hickey Park Playground Wednesday, September 7 9:00 - 10:00 am ---------------------------The Kindergarten cut-off date for children living in Medford has been changed from December 31 to August 31. A Medford child seeking to enter Kindergarten in the Medford Public Schools must be 5 years old by August 31, 2012 for the 2012-13 school year. This new date DOES NOT apply to children attending Kindergarten in the 2011-12 school year.

Medford Family Network * 489 Winthrop Street * Medford, MA 02155 * (781) 393-2106 * www.medford.k12.ma.us 2

FREE FUN FRIDAYS - VISIT & ENJOY!

DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2011
The Free Fun Fridays program invites Massachusetts residents and tourists to visit designated cultural attractions every Friday this summer with FREE admission. No registration or tickets required. For more information, please contact Highland Street Foundation at (508) 820-1151 or visit www.highlandstreet.org. Friday, July 1 Friday, July 29 Museum of Fine Arts Boston Childrens Museum 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA American Textile History Museum Buttonwood Park Zoo 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 491 Dutton Street, Lowell, MA New Bedford Whaling Museum Edward Gorey House 8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port, MA 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA Shakespeare on the Common Heritage Museums & Gardens 67 Grove Street, Sandwich, MA Boston Common, Boston, MA Friday, July 8 Friday, August 5 Plimoth Plantation Institute of Contemporary Art 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 101 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA Cape Cod Childrens Museum Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 577 Great Neck Road South, Boston, MA Springfield Museums Cape Cod Museum of Art 60 Hope Lane, Dennis, MA 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA Concord Museum New England Historic Genealogical 99 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA Friday, July 15 Friday, August 12 JFK Library & Museum Museum of Science 1 Science Park, Boston, MA Columbus Point, Boston, MA Arnold Arboretum Higgins Armory Museum 100 Barber Avenue #11, Worcester, MA 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA Tanglewood (BSO) The Discovery Museums 177 Main Street, Acton, MA 297 West Street, Lenox, MA Garden in the Woods Stone Zoo 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA Friday, July 22 Friday, August 19 Franklin Park Zoo Ferry Ride to Boston Harbor Islands 1 Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA Childrens Museum in Easton The Sports Museum TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 9 Sullivan Avenue, Easton, MA USS Constitution Museum Norman Rockwell Museum 9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 22 Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA Basketball Hall of Fame Peabody Essex Museum 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 1000 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA Friday, August 26 Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA

For more family fun check out these helpful websites: www.bostoncentral.com - family fun in Medford and surrounding areas!
www.onetoughjob.org - an online resource for real-live parents sponsored by the Childrens Trust Fund; ages
birth to teenage.

www.thinkfinity.org - a FREE educational website that offers curricular games, printable activities, and videos
for both educators and children.

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

Wish List
www.amazon.wishlist.com
Paper Towels Hand Sanitizer Clear Liquid Hand Soap Tissues Paper Napkins Clorox Anywhere Spray

WHAT IS THE MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK?

The Medford Family Network of the Medford Public Schools is a universal (everyone welcome) parenting education and family support program focusing on the positive impact on the developmental process of children prenatal to age 8, and supporting the families who care for them. This is accomplished through parenting education workshops; discussion groups; age-specific playgroups; new moms groups; home visitation; family events; a lending library; a family resource/ drop-in center; information and referral services; family literacy initiatives; and individual consultation. 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 are co-sponsored with other family-serving agencies. Parent advisory, governing, and leadership roles are available and encouraged. All adults who live or work in Medford, caring for young children, are welcome!

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.

Bids for Medford Family Network Consultant Work

We are currently seeking bids for Child Care Workers, Playgroup Leaders and Parent Educators for Fiscal Year 2012. Please mail or fax written quotes by Friday, July 29 to: Shelley Gross, Early Childhood/Afterschool Director 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155 Telephone: 781-393-2211 Fax: 781-393-2123 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL INTERNET SUBSCRIBERS...WE NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES! EMAILS SAVE US $$$$!
Join our email list to receive our program fliers and updates of local events at the Medford Family Network. Send a request by email with your name, address and phone number to hfuller@medford.k12.ma.us. Also, please let us know of any address changes so we may update our database. You can also access the newsletter via www.medford.k12.ma.us.

A FRIEND TO KNOWA PLACE TO GROW!

MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL 489 WINTHROP STREET MEDFORD, MA 02155
PHONE: (781) 393-2106 FAX: (781) 393-2123 WWW.MEDFORD.K12.MA.US

Medford Family Network is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant, the Childrens Trust Fund, the Friends of the Medford Family Network, Corp., and the generous donations from our families and friends.