Mercy Street Family Resource Center

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

May Overview

CHAC/FIRST 5 Presents: Your May Overview

Greetings Families, Partners, and LTI Community

We’re winding down our events schedule for the end of the fiscal year, but we still have several special classes you can join, along with your usual favorites. Hope to see you soon.

Here’s this month’s news

Thank You for Your Support!

Last month, CHAC applied to FIRST 5 to continue receiving funding for the Mercy Street FRC Learning Together Initiative. We will receive word toward the end of May, and will be sure to keep you posted.

We want to thank all of you who offered letters of heartfelt support for this program. That will have an impact on the decision of the commissioners. Our community has grown into a dynamic and passionate one over the past 4 years, and we are hopeful about continuing. We promise to keep you informed! If you are interested in further supporting our efforts, please contact Program Director, Maddi Pascua at (650) 967-4813, or by e-mail at mpascua.chac@gmail.com.

More news coming soon!

Spring Family Fun Day – A Blooming Good Time! What a fantastic celebration of Spring at our Spring Family Fun day. Our progressive art project was a big hit with the kids, and all the activities kept everyone outside and moving. Pictures will be posted on Facebook and here.

“It was one of those events where everything clicked. My kids and I had a great time.”

--E.S., father.

Potter the Otter Came to Mercy Street!

Potter stopped by to celebrate the Week of the Child with activities and lots of fun. Here are some pictures from the event.

Positive Parenting Classes in May – Evening Events

We are happy to announce two evening Positive Parenting classes (Triple P) happening in May. These classes give great ideas for helping strengthen your relationship with your child, while helping understand their behavior and learning how to set appropriate boundaries. This class is designed to help children become more confident and resilient for greater success in life.

Bubb Elementary: Tuesdays - May 12, May 19, June 2. 6:00pm-8:00pm. Childcare is available for children who are toilet trained. In English. Registration required. Will cover children up to age 11. Register by emailing mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

Vargas Elementary: Thursdays - May 14, May 21. 6:00pm-8:00pm. Childcare is available with registration. In Spanish. Registration required. Register by emailing mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

Science Kids at Vargas Elementary – First Spanish Session Starts May 15.

Science Kids is returning to Vargas Elementary with a 4-week session. This popular class is sure to fill up, so please register today. Science Kids is a class for science exploration for preschoolers by Aliza Savransky. Includes basics of numbers, shapes & colors; the world around us; science skills: measuring and more.

Class is designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Siblings who are younger than 3 are not allowed.

Class is Friday from 10:00-11:30am

Required orientation 5/15

Class 5/22-6/12 (4 weeks)

Registration is required.

$20 for 4 weeks ($5/class) if you pay by the orientation.

For questions, please call (650) 967-4813 or email mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

Sponsor a Child for Science Kids

All children should have a chance to love science. You can sponsor a child from a low-income family to attend Science Kids for just $20.

Make your check out to CHAC and mail to:

Attn: Maddi Pascua,

Mercy Street Family Resource Center

748 Mercy Street

Mountain View, CA 94041

Or contact the office for more donation options: 650-967-4813 or mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

This month, we’d like to thank the wonderful volunteers from our Spring Family Fun event. We had teens from several local high schools: Sacred Heart Prep, Palo Alto High School, Los Altos High School, Nueva and Menlo School. We also had students from DeAnza College and San Jose State. Many thanks to Scott G. (Clifford the Dog), Jose C., our photographer, Yadira R., Christina R., Guadalupe R., Paramesvari R. and Padmini R.

Thank you for helping us create such a successful and fun event for kids and families!

Donations

We very much appreciate all of you who kindly give us gently used clothing, supplies and toys for our classrooms. In order to make sure that we have adequate space and good use for your donations, please call us first at (650) 967-4813 before bringing your donations to our centers. Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation for supplies, our Amazon Wish List is on the side bar. Monetary donations can be directed to Program Director Maddi Pascua, made out to CHAC and mailed to: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Holidays and Scheduled Closings:

Here is a list of upcoming days we will be closed and class cancelations. Please watch our calendars for unexpected closings, such as teacher illness.

May 25

Closed for Memorial Day (all centers)

Volunteers Needed! Do you have a few hours a week you that you can spare? Do you want to give back to your community? Do you want to make an impact in the lives of young children and their families? Do you want to expand your knowledge of early childhood development? Come join our team. If you are interested and/or want more information on our fabulous volunteer program, please send an email to Nancy Doan at nancydoan5@gmail.com. Thanks for considering – the success of our program depends on Volunteers! Together we make the difference.

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Like us on Facebook! Did you know we have a Facebook page? We post interesting tips, videos, information on local events, and more. Please “like” us and help our online community grow. Find us by typing “Mercy Street Family Resource Center” in the search bar or (click)

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

Mountain View

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.

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

650-967-4813

Printable Calenders

Mercy Street FRC (English)

Mercy Street FRC (Spanish)

Escuela FRC

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.

New/Limited Time Classes & Events

Mercy Street:

I’m Ready For Kindergarten

Led by Penny

Date: Mondays 3/2 – 6/1

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View

Notes: Registration is closed.

Ongoing Classes at Mercy Street FRC

Cafecito Mother’s Group (Spanish)

Led by Ana Moreno

Date: Next Date TBD

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Address: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View

Notes: Class is canceled until further notice due to upcoming construction at Mercy Street. We will resume when construction is complete.

Play & Learn (Spanish)

Led by Karla Arevalo and Jeanette Santana

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm

Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View

Notes: In Spanish only. No registration required. 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 fills quickly each week.

Play & Learn (Japanese)

Led by Volunteers

Date: Fridays

Time: 10:15am - 11:45 am

Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View

Notes: In Japanese with English available, for native Japanese speakers or Japanese Language Learners. No registration required. 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.

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ESCUELA FRC Classes:

All Play & Learn classes below 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.

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.

Play & Learn (English)

Led by Volunteers Ashwini, Nalini, Seemana, Lavanya

Date: Mondays

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. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 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.

Mi Jardín de Conocimiento (My Garden of Learning) Led by Volunteer Alma

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 9:00am - 11:00am

Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)

Notes: In Spanish only. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 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.

Jugando y Aprendiendo (Play and Learn)

Led by Community Worker Jeanette Santana, volunteer Alma, and class participants

Date: Thursdays

Time: 9:00am - 11:00am

Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)

Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale

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

650-967-4813

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.

Limited Time Classes & Events

Science Kids

Led by Aliza, Elizabeth and Carolina

Day: Fridays

Dates: Required orientation 5/15, Class 5/22-6/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, room 15, Sunnyvale, CA

Notes: Science exploration for preschoolers by Aliza Savransky. Includes basics of numbers, shapes & colors; the world around us; science skills: measuring and more. Class is designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Siblings who are younger than 3 are not allowed. Registration is required. Please register at: http://bit.ly/1hLoh2b

$20 for 4 weeks ($5/class) if you pay at or before the orientation. For questions, please call (650) 967-4813 or email mercystreetfrc@gmail.com. Please contact mercystreetfrc@gmail.com to be on the waiting list for a future class.

Father’s Group (Spanish)

Led by Francisco Hernandez

Date: Tuesday, May 26 (class has been reschedule from May 19 to May 26)

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, room 15, Sunnyvale, CA

Fee: Free

Notes: Registration required. Call Francisco Hernandez if you would like to join – 650-967-4813.

Ongoing Classes at Vargas Elementary FRC

Estoy Listo para el Kinder (I’m Ready for Kindergarten)

Led by Ana Moreno

Date: Wednesdays August 27 – May 27

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, room 15, Sunnyvale, CA

Fee: Free

Notes: Full. Registration is closed.

Explorando Juntos (Exploring Together) (Children 2 and under)

Led by Ana Moreno

Date: Tuesdays September 2 – May 26

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, room 15, Sunnyvale, CA

Fee: Free

Notes: Contact Ana Moreno at 650-967-4813 for more details.

Play & Learn (English)

Led by Volunteers Leslie, Mamatha and Erika

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, room 15, Sunnyvale, CA

Fee: Free

Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 15 families / 30 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end. No registration required. This class is first come, first served. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.

Bilingual Storytime (Spanish/English)

Led by volunteer Marti

Date: Fridays

Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm

Address: Vargas Elementary, 1054 Carson Drive, Sunnyvale, CA

Fee: Free

Notes: No registration required. 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.

Did you know about our FIRST 5 partners in Sunnyvale?

Find contact information for the FIRST 5 FRC at San Miguel Elementary here http://www.first5kids.org/frc/san-miguel

Cupertino

Cupertino

For classes requiring registration, contact The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com or by calling 650-967-4813

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.

New/Limited Time Classes & Events

Calabazas Library Arts Enrichment

Led by volunteers Priti and Lin

Date: May 14, 2015 (Second Thursday of every month)

Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

Address: Calabazas Library, 1230 S Blaney Ave, San Jose, CA

Notes: No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 20 children / 40 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each month.

Ongoing Classes at Canon Music FRC

Mandarin Play and Learn

Led by volunteers Dan, Jeanette, and Lian

Date: Mondays

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Address: Canon Music Center, 10885 S. Blaney Ave, Cupertino

Notes: In Mandarin only. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 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.

Play and Learn

Led by volunteers Priti, & Urmi

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Address: Canon Music Center, 10885 S. Blaney Ave, Cupertino

Notes: No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 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.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

April Overview

CHAC/FIRST 5 Presents: Your April Overview

Greetings Families, Partners, and LTI Community

The old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” and we’re all hoping for lots of rain this month. Many children are on Spring Break this month and our classes are closed in line with the school breaks (Mountain View 4/6 – 4/10, Sunnyvale & Cupertino 4/13 – 4/17). We still have many great activities and hope to see you soon!

Here’s this month’s news

You can Support Your Family Resource Center

CHAC is in the process of applying for a new round of funding with FIRST 5 for our Family Resource Center Program. Our current agreement is scheduled to end on June 30. You can help by letting FIRST 5 know how much this program has meant to you. We have a draft of a letter that you can sign to show your support of CHAC’s four centers: Mercy Street (Mountain View), Escuela (Mountain View), Vargas (Sunnyvale) and Canon (Cupertino).

In addition to the priorities that FIRST 5 has for our centers, our communities also have their own ideas about what we need and want at our centers. Last year, FIRST 5 hosted focus groups to hear what your priorities are and will be making some adjustments where possible within the scope of their services.

We as a community have enhanced FIRST 5 funded offerings based on community demand. For example, we host more classes of Play and Learn in various languages to continue engaging currently participating families and recruiting several new families, and continue the high quality skills training of our volunteers. We offer unique, innovative classes, like Science Kids, Children’s Art Studio, and Family Stressbusters for a cost far below market rate. We support community partners, like the school districts, with free help registering children for Kindergarten, and more.

Should our bid for the next 3-year contract with FIRST 5 be successful, we hope to continue to collaborate with you on activities that matter to you most. With supplemental funding, we can do many exciting things together.

Announcing: Spring Family Fun Day

Join your Mercy Street FRC community in a celebration of Spring, featuring a scavenger hunt, arts & crafts, an obstacle course, and special guest characters your children won’t want to miss. Fun for all children ages 5 and under. At Washington Park on Saturday, May 2, from 10:30am – 12:30pm.

Cost: $5 per child, paid at the door or to CHAC/FIRST 5 staff.

Washington Park: 840 Washington Ave, Sunnyvale.

Meet in the community room. Activities start promptly at 10:30am

Let’s Get Moooving in Cupertino!

Join us Friday, April 17 from 10:00am-11:00am for a morning of outdoor fun. It’s an outdoor play and learn experience, including music, storytime, crafts, and movement activities for kids and grownups. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for moving, wear sunscreen, and bring plenty of water.

Where: Wilson Park in Cupertino (19784 Wintergreen Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014)

Cost: $5 per child

Potter the Otter to Visit Mercy Street FRC!

You’re invited! Potter is coming on Wednesday, April 15 from 10;00-11;00am. Be sure to arrive early to get a good seat.

Science Kids at Mercy Street – UPDATE

Science Kids that was scheduled for two 4-week sessions in Mountain View, has been cancelled.

Science Kids is returning to Vargas FRC in May, with a 4-week sessions. The class will be taught in Spanish. This popular class is sure to fill up, so please register today. Science Kids is a class for science exploration for preschoolers by Aliza Savransky. Includes basics of numbers, shapes & colors; the world around us; science skills: measuring and more.

Class is designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Siblings who are younger than 3 are not allowed.

Class is on FRIDAYS from 9:30am - 11:00am

Required orientation 5/15, class 5/22 – 6/12 (4 weeks)

Registration is required. Please register at: http://bit.ly/1hLoh2b

$20 for 4 weeks ($5/class), if you pay by the orientation.

For questions, please call (650) 967-4813 or email mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

More Spring Family Events From Our Partners

Now is the time to get back outside and have some fun with the whole family. Here is a list of fun festivals and events coming up from our Community Partners