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.

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.

Register here: http://bit.ly/1D80wSS by April 24.

Contact us for more information: 650-967-4813 or email to mercystreetfrc@gmail.com

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

Mountain View

• Concerts on the Plaza – Friday, April 3 and May 1, 6:00pm – 7:00pm – 500 Castro Street (Civic Center) The Community Service Department proudly presents Concerts on the Plaza! The concert series will take place on the first Friday of the month on April through September from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Join your friends and neighbors and bring your blanket or lawn chair down to the Civic Center Plaza for a variety of musical performances. IN addition to the music, there will be food trucks, a “Pop Up Park” area for children and adults, beer and wine.

• 37th Annual Spring Family Parade – Saturday, April 25, 12:00pm – 3:00pm. The City of Mountain View Recreation Division presents the 37th Annual Family Parade! The parade will begin on Castro Street at Villa Street at noon and continue into Pioneer Park for crafts, music, food, games and information about camps and classes the Mountain View Recreation Division will be offering this summer. If you or your group would like to have a great time and participate in the parade, please check their website for more information and registration deadlines at www.mountainview.gov/parade or call (650) 903-6331.

Sunnyvale

• Fit ‘n Fun Earth Day Fair – Saturday April 25, 10:00am-3:00pm at Columbia Neighborhood Center. Health and Nutrition, Exhibits, Games, Music, Stunts, Sports Clinic, Kids Activities. For more information call (408) 730-7800

• 26^th Annual Sunnyvale Library Storytelling Festival – Saturday, April 25, 2:00pm-4:00pm at the Sunnyvale Library. Stories from around the world told by a variety of storytellers.

Cupertino

• Big Bunny 5k - April 4, 2015, 9:00 am, Cupertino Civic Center. The Big Bunny 5k brings members of the entire Cupertino community together to kick-off the start of Spring. The Recreation and Community Services Department looks forward to seeing you and your family as the community takes a step forward for health and fitness. Pre-registration is required on-line or at the Quinlan Community Center. For more information and to register, please go to:www.bigbunny5k.com. 

• Earth Day & Healthy Communities Festival - April 11, 2015, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. This annual event is held at Cupertino Civic Center, 10300 Torre Ave. For more information, please call the City of Cupertino Sustainability Division at (408) 777-3200.

• Holi (Festival of Colors) – April 11, 2015, Memorial Park, Time TBA. This is a new event. Further information TBA at http://cupertino.org/index.aspx?page=94

• The Cherry Blossom Festival - April 25 & 26, 2015, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Memorial Park 

The Cherry Blossom Festival, honoring Cupertino's sister city of Toyokawa, Japan, is an annual event held at Memorial Park each April. This event offers a wide selection of Japanese food and beverages, entertainment, demonstrations, cultural exhibits, art, crafts and clothing for sale. All-day entertainment takes place in the park amphitheater. 
The festival benefits the non-profit Cupertino Sister City Committee, which promotes friendship and student exchange programs between the two cities. Local non-profit organizations that support services for disadvantaged youth, sports, music and language programs will have booths to raise funds for their groups. 

For further information about the Cherry Blossom Festival, contact Asif Kausar, festival coordinator, at (408) 940-5287. You can also visit their website at www.cupertinotoyokawa.org.May 

• Cupertino Day - May 2, 2015, 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Blackberry Farm. This annual event celebrates the reopening of Blackberry Farm for the season. Please see Blackberry Farm's web page for more information.

• 20th Annual Bike to Work Day - May 7, 2015 (Tentative). This annual event is sponsored by the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and the Cupertino Library. An Energizer station will be set up in front of the Quinlan Community Center from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., offering food and beverages to participants. Please click here for more information.

• World Journal Festival - May 9 & 10, 2015, 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Cupertino Senior Center. For more information, please visit www.worldjournal.com or call Peter Ho at (650) 259-2045. 

This month, we’d like to thank the behind the scenes, non-FRC staff at each of our sites, especially: Joel Wood, the board of trustees for Trinity & Los Altos United Methodist Church, and Pastor Michael Love at Mercy Street Family Resource Center; Kim Castro, The City of Mountain View and the Learning Links staff at our Escuela site; May and Ping Chen, and their staff at Canon Music School; Principal Annette Grasty, Nancy Rodriguez and the administrative & janitorial staff at Vargas Elementary; Michele Wilson and Keith Moody at MVLA Adult Ed; Pam Crider and Michael Dines at Calabazas Library;  Laura Gonzales at Fremont Union High School District; and Kathleen Heagney at YMCA in Cupertino. Without each of you, we could not do all we do.

THANK YOU!

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.

April 6 – 10	Spring Break in Mountain View – Office hours only, no classes at Mercy Street or Escuela
April 13 – 17	Spring Break in Cupertino No classes at Vargas Elementary or Canon Music School
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:

Science Kids CANCELLED

Led by Priti, Seema, Elizabeth and Carolina

Day: Tuesdays

Session 1 English: Required orientation 4/21, class 4/28-5/19 (4 weeks)

Session 2 Spanish: Required orientation 5/26, class 6/2 – 6/23 (4 weeks)

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View

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.

Family Stressbusters

Instructor: Brandy Vanderheiden, MFT, SEP

Date: Thursdays February 26 – April 16

Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm

Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View

Notes:  Registration is closed. Please contact mercystreetfrc@gmail.com to be on the waiting list for a future class.

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

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 will most likely fill each week.

Play & Learn (Japanese)

Led by Volunteers Ayano & Class Participants

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: 9:30am - 11:30am

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: 9:30am - 11:30am

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.

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

Spring Family Fun Day

Date: Saturday, May 2

Time: 10:30am-12:30pm

Address: Community Room, Washington Park, 840 Washington Ave, Sunnyvale

Fee: $5 per child

Notes: 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. Starts promptly at 10:30.

Father’s Group (Spanish)

Led by Francisco Hernandez

Date: Tuesday, May 12

Time: 6:30-8:30PM

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

Fee: Free

Notes:  Registration required. Childcare is available with registration by 3/6. Call Francisco Hernandez if you would like to join – 650-967-4813. Next month’s meeting will be May 5.

Science Kids in Spanish (NEW CLASS**) 

Led by Elizabeth and Carolina

Day: Fridays

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

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Address: 1054 Carson Dr, Sunnyvale (ROOM #15)

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.

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 starting September 3

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 Jeanette

Date: April 9, 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.

Let’s Get Moooving!

Led by Lin and Nancy

Date: April 17, 2015

Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

Cost: $5 per child

Address: Wilson Park, Cupertino

Notes: No registration required. 

Ongoing Classes at Canon Music FRC

Mandarin Play and Learn

Led by volunteers Dan and Jeanette

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.