Sunday, January 13, 2013

January Overview


Greetings Families, Partners, and LTI Community

It’s January – a brand new year, and together, we will continue to create a family resource center where you and your child can join with other families to learn, play, and GROW! Where you can give and receive support to other parents who understand how challenging it can sometimes be, and celebrate your child’s successes with you.

Remember that all we accomplish together in the year to come will be because of YOU! Your willingness to show up, to have ideas, to volunteer, or to donate-- THANK YOU for being a valued part of our centers!

Do you have comments that you would like to send the staff?   Please send us a note to: mercystreetfrc@gmail.com


Here is news from across the region:
Great fun at the End of the year party. Thanks to all the families who came to celebrate the close of a wonderful year together.
Children gathered to sing the traditional song, “Los Peces en el Río” (The fishes in the water), for families at the party
 
A big thank you to JamesZini, Magician and Balloon Artist, who generously volunteered his time for our event. He was a huge hit with the kids. You can reach him at  JamesZini@facebook.com if you’d like him to perform at your event or party.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holiday Concert featured FIRST 5 Kids! Trinity Methodist Church, our kind hosts for Mercy Street FRC invited FIRST 5 kids to participate with holiday songs in their Christmas Concert and Carol-Sing.

Children from our Japanese Play and Learn sang “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” in Japanese, led by teachers Yuko and Chikako, accompanied by Thao on piano.  




The Tuesday afternoon Play and Learn Class sang “Jingle Bells,” led by teachers Yuko and Leyla, and accompanied by Cheryl on piano.


The Spanish speaking classes gathered to sing “Los Peces en el Río” led by teacher Alma and accompanied by older siblings there to help lead and support the preschool aged children.




A big thank you to all the support in the audience from parents and friends who came to cheer them on.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tae Kwon Do was a huge success in Sunnyvale!  Kids graduated from our Tae Kwon Do classes funded by our David and Lucile Packard Foundation wellness grant and provided by our partners at TaeKwonKids in Mountain View (www.taekwonkids.net). 32 children ages 3-5 participated, and in just four classes, parents watched their children’s skills grow. They also learned lessons like working together, listening, and respect for each other and the teacher.

  • We would love to offer more Tae Kwon Do classes for low income families, and are in discussions with TaeKwonKids to resume later in the year.
  • If you are interested in donating funds to help cover the cost of uniforms, belts, and the teachers’ time, please contact Maddi at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mercy Street FRC and Mountain View Whisman School District are teaming up for the third year to help kids get enrolled for Kindergarten. Families are required to do a portion of the registration process online and a large number of families in the area are not comfortable using computers. CHAC/FIRST 5 Staff have been offering appointments to help families get children registered in schools. This is especially helpful for families who want to place their children in special programs within the district, or with particular schools, because those programs cannot accept late applications.
  • If you are interested in helping with registration, and have even a little working amount of Spanish with good computer skills, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Brandy at 650-967-4813 or mercystreetfrc@gmail.com
  • Appointments are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-4pm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule Changes:
  • Please check Google calendar to find out if classes are scheduled on a particular day.
  • We will be closed on Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King Day
  • Tuesday AM classes at all our centers are canceled on January 29 for a Teacher In-Service Day
  • Wednesday’s Spanish Play and Learn will resume in February
  • Most other classes resume the week of January 14 (check the calendars)

Printable Calendar now available for our Mercy Street and Escuela centers.


 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming Soon
  • Cafecito Mom’s Group (for Spanish speakers) is on Friday, January 11 at Mercy Street from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Childcare available (please register). Want one in your own language? Volunteer and start one!
  • Two more Zumbatomic classes at Fairwood Elementary (Sunnyvale). Take advantage of these FREE Zumba classes for you and the kids together. Wednesday January 16 and Friday January 18 from 1pm-2pm.
  • Family Day is Saturday, January 19th – 11:30am-1:00pm at Mercy Street. Please register at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com
  • CHAC is offering Parenting classes (Spanish) in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Childcare is NOT available. Please contact Carlos Jalpa at 650-965-2020 x12 for more information.
    • Mountain View:
      • Parents with children up to age 11. Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm starting January 20
      • Single Parents: Thursdays from 6-8pm, starting January 17
    • Sunnyvale:
      • Parents with children up to age 11: Tuesdays 8:15-9:45am
    • Men’s Group: There is also a Men’s Group in Mountain View onTuesdays from 8-9:30pm, also by CHAC.



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Outreach

Where have we been in December?
Each month, you'll find all of our dedicated Community Workers at the libraries, preschools, and faith-based organizations. Here are some highlights of places we've been to and special events we will be attending. We welcome volunteers who wish to help us outreach, and suggestions for events where we can reach families with young children. 
·         In Sunnyvale, Julia attended Storytime at the Sunnyvale Library and met 19 new families.
Cupertino Breakfast with Santa
·         Nancy Doan along with the help of volunteers Sharmila and Emelinda tabled at the Westgate Mall Mommy & & Me & Daddies Too in West San Jose and met 22 new families.
·         With great jolly, in Cupertino, Nancy Doan along with volunteers Sharmila, Priti, Candice, Leslie, Dylan and DeAnza student volunteers Charles and Emelinda helped staff the craft station at Cupertino’s 20th Annual Breakfast with Santa where we met a lot of new families. 





Upcoming outreach events in Janurary
Here's where to find us next! If you are available to help share information at the table, please contact Nancy Doan at 650-967-4813 or nancydoan5@gmail.com

Mountain View
·         Do you have a suggestion for a great location to go for finding more people who need health insurance for their children? Please be in touch 650-967-4813
·         Did you know we have regular hours every Tuesday from 10-2 and other times by appointment? We also offer services in Spanish, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Cupertino
·         Stories for Preschoolers.  We will be tabling at the Cupertino Library on Tuesday, January 15 from 10:15 - 11:30pm.
·         Stories for 3’s.  We will be tabling at the Cupertino Library on Wednesday, January 23 from 10:15 - 11:30pm.

West San Jose
·         Mommy & Me & Daddies Too. We will be at the Westgate Mall on Wednesday, December 12 from 10:00 - 12:00pm.



Friday, January 11, 2013

Mountain View

See below for classes at our TWO Mountain View Centers. Note: the Escuela FRC is partially funded by the City of Mountain View and is for Mountain View Residents only.




Mercy Street FRC Classes:
For a complete description of our classes, go here
Please register with The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com, or by calling 650-967-4813



New/Limited Time Classes & Events

Cafecito Mother’s Group
DateFriday, January 11 (Usually the first Friday of every month, delayed due to holidays)
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Address: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View
Notes: Monthly Group for moms to gather and talk together. Childcare provided. Want one in your own language? Talk to staff about how you might be able to start your own.

Family Day Arts Enrichment
DateSaturday, January 19
Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm
Address: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View
Notes: Show dad or other family members what you do in our center. The projects are focused on family and appropriate bonding. Please register.

Cooking Matters
DateMondays, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Address: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View
Notes:  Class is  Full.
Class Info: You will learn about meal planning, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and much more. Following each lesson plan, you will get to cook with your child and sample what you made together. In addition, you will be able to go home with a few organic vegetables fresh from our partners at Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale. (see flyer)

Enrollment Assistance for Mountain View Whisman School District
DateMondays and Wednesdays 1/28-2/28
Time: 1:00pm-3:00 by appointment only
Address: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View
Notes: Help with online registration for Kindergarten and other grades, as long as there is one child in the family who is aged 0-5. Must have “snap code” from MVWSD before your appointment. Bring insurance info, medical contacts, and emergency contacts to the appointment. Available at Escuela FRC on Wednesdays.


Please register with The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com, or by calling 650-967-4813


Ongoing Classes at Mercy Street FRC

Play & Learn (English)
Led by Volunteers Sharmila, Yuko & Yoko
DateMondays
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm*
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: This class is first come, first served for the first 15 children/30 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week. If you arrive before 10am and do not get a spot, you will receive priority entrance for the next week if you arrive before 10 the following week. (Limit 5 for priority entrance).English with Japanese available. Note time change.

Play & Learn (English)
Led by Volunteers Tracy and Crystal
DateTuesdays (No class on January 29; closed for Teacher In-Service Day)
Time: 10:00am – 11:30 am                                 
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 15 children / 30 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end.

Play & Learn (English, se habla español)
Led by Volunteers Leyla and Yuko
DateTuesdays
Time: 2:30pm - 4:00 pm
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 15 children / 30 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end.

Play & Learn (Spanish)
Led by Yadira Rios
DateWednesdays – CLASS RESUMES IN FEBRUARY
Time: 10:00am - 12:00 pm
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: Yadira is on vacation. Classes will resume in February.

Play & Learn (Japanese)
Led by Volunteer Yuko, Chikako, & Leslie
DateFridays
Time: 10:15am - 11:45 am
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 15 children / 30 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end. In Japanese with English available. All are welcome.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ESCUELA FRC Classes:
All classes are currently ongoing and no registration is required. Questions? Call 650-967-4813. This FRC is partially funded by the City of Mountain View. Classes at Escuela FRC are for Mountain View residents only.


Play & Learn (English)
Led by Volunteers Woomi & Einat
DateMondays
Time: 3:45pm – 5:15pm
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes:  No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 13 families / 26 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end.

Play & Learn (Spanish)
Led by Yadira Rios
DateTuesdays – CLASS RESUMES IN FEBRUARY
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes: Yadira is on vacation. Classes will resume in February.

Play & Learn (Spanish)
Led by Volunteer Alma
DateWednesdays
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 13 families / 26 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end. Spanish speaking families only.

Play & Learn (Spanish)
Led by Volunteer Margarita and Staff Ana Moreno
DateThursdays
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 13 families / 26 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end. Spanish speaking families only.