3rd Annual Family Fun Fair

Saturday April 4th
9:30am-12:00pm

Kane Elementary School
520 Farm Road, Marlboro

Free Entertainment!

9:30am Martial Arts Demo, Kwon's Martial Arts
10:00am Musician, Ed Morgan
11:00am Educational Entertainers, Animal Adventures

All Day! Fictional Faces Face Painting, Sponsored by Cottage Children's Center

Find out about...

Childcare & Preschool Programs
Community Resources
Local Volunteer Opportunities
Activities
Classes & Products for Young Children

Don't miss...

Bake Sale
Basket Raffles
Free Child Fingerprinting
Prizes & Giveaways

This is a FREE event for all families!

Fabulous fun & resources for families with children ages 0-5!

What's Up at the Family Network

As with the changing seasons (the reason so many of us love New England - even the cold and snow, right?) so are the changes due at our Family Network.

We are still anxiously awaiting to hear from the state as to what our funding situation will look like come the new fiscal year starting July 1st! It's not hard to imagine that our budget will be the same and maybe even less, given the state of our state. With that in mind, the Assabet Valley Collaborative - our fiscal agent, is possibly considering moving the AVA Family Network into the building (the old Bigelow School on Orchard St.) that they are currently renting from the city of Marlboro. The move would free up most of our $20,000+ rent which could then be put into programming and services for families, something that we have worked so hard to maintain. It means a lot of work to actually move and then the process of settling into a new "home." I've always felt that the space/place is important BUT not as important as the incredible families that occupy it. YOU all make the FN such a wonderful and amazing PLACE! As soon as we get more information from the state, we will get the word out through playgroups, workshops, email and the website.

This next change is one that I personally have been struggling with. I have made the decision to leave the Family Network at the end of June. My journey of 12 years here at the FN has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. My own family, over the years, has been involved here at the FN which has allowed my "two lives" to blend in such a special way. As my children have grown and now have lives of their own, I realize that I too have the opportunity to change. My husband and I are looking to make some major life changes in the next few years which will hopefully involve long term community service either here in the states or out in the greater world. Since I never do anything without due process, I still plan on being "around" after I leave so I can "wean" myself slowly from this heartwarming community. I will also be very committed to making any and all transitions as smooth as possible. To all the many families that I have had the honor and the pleasure to connect with and get to know over all these years, you will always be with me in heart and spirit.

With love, Rosemary

Hooray!!! It's time to get OUTSIDE!!!

"Fun Activities" that you can do almost anywhere, anytime

Playing outside is naturally fun for your child. Below are a few ideas to get you started with some outdoor fun now that the weather is turning nice and warm.

Bugs - Go on a bug hunt in your yard or at the park. Can you find a parade of ants? Do you see a grasshopper? Find a harmless bug and use a bug catcher to examine them up close. Talk about its color, see if it has wings, count the legs, and then let it go. Get an insect book from the library and see if you can find out what kinds of bugs you've found! Why not read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider?

Running games - Take advantage of what your child loves to do naturally, run. Take turns running behind, in front of, and side by side one another. Run holding hands, run backwards, run from one tree to another, or run while holding a pinwheel or a kite and watch it spin and fly. The possibilities are endless. Keep the game going by having your child hop on one foot, walk on all fours, or roll around.

Rock collection - Little ones love to pick things up. Let them start a rock collection. Collect rocks of different sizes, shapes, textures, and colors. Give your child a basket or box to keep their collection in. Once they have collected several rocks decide what you would like to do with them. Paint and glitter them, glue them into a rock "sculpture," toss them into a pond and make a splash, create a continuous growing rock pile in the backyard (how big do you think you can get it?)

Give your child's communication a boost with the following tips:

Talk to your child about the obvious. Point out what you are doing and what your child is doing. For young children you might label simple objects or familiar actions. For older children point out more abstract concepts like feelings.

Build on what your child is saying. Repeat or acknowledge what your child has said and expand on it. For example if a young child said, "Ball," you might say, "Red ball. You want the red ball."

Be quiet sometimes. Allow your child time to respond to what you have said. Also allow them quiet time to experiment with sounds and sentences.

Read and sing to your child. Both activities provide wonderful opportunities to learn new vocabulary and experiment with language.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)

Monday's On-Going Support Group Opportunity

6:30-8:00 at the Family Network

Here's a special kind of support that you can get from other parents in a group with a trained leader. Connecting with others who are going through the same parenting and family issues and concerns can really help!

Call Rosemary at 508-485-0085 for information. Limited Childcare is available.

The Parent Exchange

A space for parents/caregivers to share!

We are always in need of car seats and pack & plays!

Please let us know if you can donate these items so we may pass them along to families in need.

Car seats must be under 6 years old and have never been in an accident. ID labels must be readable.

Scholastic Book Orders

Book order forms are on the door in the Playroom! Browse the wonderful selection and take advantage of the great prices! Bring the orders back with cash or check to the FN and we'll call you when your order is in.

Order Scholastic Books online!
Shop the titles in the printed flyer and enjoy the same great selections and low prices while helping out the FN earn bonus points for free books! Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Club web site. Browse the titles and place your order with a credit card. After the order deadline, the entire order will be submitted to Scholastic. Your order will be delivered to the FN and we'll call you for pick up. The site is private and secure. To access it, go to the web address below and enter the personalized user name and password we have set up:

www.scholastic.com/parentordering
Class User Name: avafamilynetwork

Our Annual Vehicle Fair

ATTENTION: All "vehicle admirers! This is the event for you...

When: Saturday, June 20th: 9am-10:30am
**If it is raining at 8am, the event w ill be cancelled.

Where: The Fitchburg St. parking lot of the Assabet Valley Technical School, 215 Fitchburg St., Marlboro

What: Vehicles of all types, sizes and uses. Come to get a close-up look, climb aboard and play.

Questions? Call the Family Network at 508-485-0085

No sign up required... Just hope for great weather!

Spring Clothing Exchange

Are you looking to pick up or donate gently used children's clothing in time for spring?

Come stop by the Family Network to drop off children's clothes and/or pick some out!

You do not need to "add to the pile" in order to take items home. We do ask that the clothing be clean and in usable shape and ONLY up to size 6.

Tables will be up for the exchange.

April 6-24th, Mon - Fri: 8am-7pm.

We will be accepting clothing from March 30-April 17.

What's Up at the Family Network...

I am thrilled and so pleased to announce that our December Fundraising efforts brought in $5,520! Thanks to everyone who was able to give. This amount combined with our previous on-going donations gives the FN a total of $8,000. We have successfully raised the $2,130 to maintain our space and still have some left to "play" with. Our Advisory Council has begun to make decisions as to what programming the FN will be able to provide and bring back. If you have any thoughts, ideas and requests please let a Council member or Rosemary know and we'll see what we can do! Check out the activities listed on the newsletter insert and Animal Adventures on the back page.

In addition to our own funds, I am so overjoyed to announce the $1,000 donation from the Northboro Jr's Women Club. These funds are allowing the FN to bring back our Friday Drop In music program. We are so pleased to have their support for such a widely used and positive activity. It's a great way for so many to participate in such a fun activity! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

During the past few weeks, our FN, along with all the other 42 FN across the state wrote letters to the Governor, our legislators and the Board Members of Early Education and Care. We sincerely hope this effort will educate our leaders as to what exactly happens here and that they will then understand our value and keep us in the budget. In the coming months I will do my best to keep everyone posted and I'll be sure to let you know when we need your help. Thanks to everyone who came through with a letter!

Rosemary