The Coalition for Children
Falmouth Public Schools
340 Teaticket Highway
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No.
35
Falmouth,
MA
02540
March/April
Newsletter – 2015
Parents & Educators from any community are welcome to attend workshops in each of the
four Upper Cape towns unless otherwise noted. Space is limited in some, especially in our
parenting classes, so please make sure you call to register!
Funding for this newsletter has been provided through a grant from the Massachusetts
Department of Early Education and Care.
Of course you can view our newsletter at http:www.thecoaltionforchildren.org .If you are
unable to access the internet, please call our office (508 548 0151 x 172) with your name
and mailing address, and a hard copy will be mailed to you. Please use the same number to
be removed. Thank you!
Please check out our new website at http://www.thecoalitionforchildren.org. It, like so
much of what we do, is a work in progress; please let us know what you think!
THE COALIITON FOR
CHILDREN, FALMOUTH’S CFCE
GRANT
If you are new to the area, we
welcome you to Cape Cod; if you
are a returning reader, thank you
for reading the Coalition for
Children’s bi monthly newsletter.
Right now, we’re in the middle of
our winter session and gearing up
our Spring Fling Programming. If
you have any questions after (or
while) you are reading this
newsletter, just pick up the phone
and give us a call! (508) 548 0151
x 172. We love answering
questions and talking about what
we do!
One of the things we - Coalition
for Children – do is offer Play &
Learn groups for families with
children birth to school age. We
have two kinds of groups:
registered groups for families who
enjoy predictability and drop-in
groups for families who like a
more relaxed come-and-go-when-
you-can approach to social
connections.
The spring Play & Learn groups
will begin on March 30th, so
keep that in mind as your
making your spring plans!
Drop-in and registration
information for our free Play &
Learn groups can also be found
on our website
thecoalitionforchidlren.org.
STEM AND LITERACY
EVENT FOR PRESCHOOLERS
On Saturday, March 14 we’re
brainbuilding with Miss Kim at
the Falmouth Public Library.
Our topic? The Rain Forrest!
From habitats to inhabitants,
Miss Kim’s Rain Forest
demonstration is educational,
interactive, and fun.
Mark April 11th on your
calendar, too. Miss Kim will be
back (she comes once a month
– we just wish it could be every
day!) discussing PONDS. Come
in, get some solid, age
appropriate STEM information,
and then go explore all of
Falmouth’s ponds with your
family!
Both of these events being at
10:00 am in the Children’s
Room at the Falmouth Public
Library. These programs are
part of a yearlong series
offered by the Coalition for
Children. Best for children
ages 3 – 6, but younger and
older sibs, parents and
teachers are also welcome.
PRESCHOOL FAIR
After the RAIN FOREST
program on March 14, you are
then invited to check out our
PRESCHOOL FAIR! Our theme
this year is Healthy Eating and
everyone who participates will
be offering an activity or
healthy snack to make the
afternoon enjoyable.
This is a great way to check
out many of our early childhood
providers and programs.
Instead of driving around in
your car praying you can find
the right match for your child,
come visit in the comfort of
the Herman Room at the
Falmouth Public Library.
The Coalition for Children www.thecoalitionforchildren. org March/April ‘15
2014
There’ll be free resource guides,
literacy and financial activities,
snacks, and crafts to entertain
you and your child as you walk
around gathering information and
making new friends.
FALMOUTH READS TOGETHER
Our 2015 townwide read is
SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE
by Laura Bates. Pick up the book
and read with us, and if you’d like
to experience a little more of
what Ms. Bates has to offer,
check out her powerful TED talk,
“Shakespeare in Shackles.
Information about Falmouth Reads
Together and its programs is
available at
falmouthpubliclibrary.org and on
Facebook.
DADS, BABIES, AND PIZZA
First the bad news: The Coalition
for Children is a state funded
grant, and when Governor Baker
made his cuts, we were on the list.
He cut $7,300.00 from our
budget, so we’re in the process of
cutting our budget.
Out of necessity, the Coalition
for Children was going to cut
some of the Dads' & Babies
Pizza Parties, and we felt
awful about this. Before we
could even make the cancelling
calls, I had a conversation with
our State Rep. David Vieira.
With his assistance, we were
able to tap into a local source,
and now we are NOT going to
cancel this very important
program. Thank you,
Representative Vieira for
helping us keep this very
important program for dads
and babies!
The upcoming pizza parties
with Family Support Specialist
Paul Melville and Child Birth
Educator Cheryl Donahue are
February 24, March 24, and
April 21 at the Falmouth
Hospital (100 Terr Heun Dr.,
Falmouth) from 6:00 - 7:30
p.m. in the Faxon Conference
Rooms (Basement).
Come show off your baby
(expectant dads; older siblings
and veteran dads always
welcome) and learn about
resources available to you and
your family. We often have
guest speakers (pediatricians,
nutritionists etc.) who are able
to answer your questions in a
casual atmosphere. No fee,
free pizza and never any
pressure. Please RSVP to
Suzan Scharr, RNC at 508-
457-3632. Sponsored by
Falmouth Hospital (Cape Cod
Health Care) and the Coalition
for Children (Falmouth CFCE).
PILLOW CASE WORKSHOP
WITH JEANINE
FITZGERALD
We are thrilled to say that
Jeanine Fitzgerald – nationally
acclaimed speaker and author -
will be with us on Wednesday
March 25th for her famous
Pillow Case workshop:
Temperament & Your Child.
All attendees will leave with a
better understanding of
temperament. The pillow case
that you create is a nightly
reminder to your child that you
adore everything about them,
especially on those challenging
days!
Call (508) 548 0151 x 172 to
register.
KINDERGARTEN
PREPARATION IS
IMPORTANT!
As soon as the weather gets a
little warmer, we’ll be holding
our UNREMARKABLE
ENVIRONMENTS – our
kindergarten transition activity
- at all four of Falmouth’s
elementary schools. We’ll explore
the outside like scientists and
maybe, if we’re lucky, have a
Storywalk inside! Stay tuned for
those dates and times.
FALL FINANCIAL LITERACY
WORKSHOPS!
This has been a very hard winter
for many of us. Are you having a
hard time working with your or
within your budget?
If so, our friends at the Falmouth
Service Center have two budget
workshops every month, and you
are invited!
The classes generally run on the
second and fourth Mondays of
each month from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30
p.m. but sometimes the dates
change, so call 508-548-2794 to
find out when the next class will
be held.
WHO ARE WE?
The Coalition for Children is a
grant program funded by the MA
Department of Early Education
and Care. Our CFCE - Coordinated
Family and Community
Engagement – grant offers early
childhood resources and
information, Play & Learn
groups, developmental
screenings, family literacy,
Kindergarten preparation
programs, parenting classes,
and community events for all
families with children birth to
school age in Falmouth.
Our office is located in the
Falmouth Administration
Building at 340 Teaticket
Highway, and the phone
number is (508) 548 0151 x
172. Drop in or call. If we’re
not in, you can always leave a
message.
We reprinted and updated the
Coalition for Children’s Upper
Cape Resource Guide. This
guide is a wonderful tool for
our young families. In the
front section of the booklet
you will find all the licensed
preschool center-based and
family home childcare
providers in Falmouth,
Mashpee, Sandwich, and
Bourne: All your Upper Cape
childcare options in one handy
little book! Please come in and
pick one up or leave a message
at (508) 548 0151 x 172 and
we’ll send one to you.
FREE DEVELOPMENTAL
SCREENINGS
If you are wondering if your
child is on target
developmentally, we have a
screening tool to share with
you. The Ages and Stages
Questionnaire (ASQ) is an easy
tool to manipulate and to
understand. It can be done
anywhere, and it’s all about
parent observation. If you’d
like more information about
the ASQ, please call (508) 548
0151 x 172.
COUNCIL MEETING AND
YOUR INVITED
Our next council meeting is on
Monday, March 16th and we’d
love you to join us. There are
many ways to be involved, so
come be part of the
conversation. We meet at 27B
Spring Bars Road in Falmouth
(across from Kappy’s Liquor
Store). 5:30 pm for networking
and our meeting starts at 6:00
pm.
March/April 2015
www.thecoaltionforchildren.org
Free Fun Family
Literacy & STEM Events
Offered by the Coalition for
Children
Presented by the incredible
Kim Torres
March 14: Rain Forrest
10:00 am
April 11: Ponds*
10:00 am
Falmouth Public Library
Katherine Lee Bates Road
Falmouth, MA
*Targeting children ages 3 – 5,
but children and adults of all
ages attend and learn!
Preschool Fair Saturday, March 14, 2015
Falmouth Public Library Main
Branch
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Our Theme: Healthy Eating
Meet local childcare providers
Info re: oral health
Nutrition info
Family support
Literacy, STEM, Crafts, Snacks
and More!
FREE Upper Cape Resource
Guide
Call (508) 548-0151x172
Do you have questions
about how your child is
developing? The Coalition for Children now offers
Free Developmental
Screenings! (3 months to 5 years)
Call (508) 548 0151 x 172 for
more information and to sign up!
*********************
(F) Falmouth Eats
Together – sponsored by the
Falmouth Service Center
Meal schedule is a work in
progress: to find out more go to
http://www.falmouthservicecenter.o
rg/
Come eat with us!!!
Dads and Baby Pizza Party!
March 24th, April 21st
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Faxon Conference Room
Falmouth Hospital
RSVP or questions to
508-457-3632
CCNSC
Parent Education &
Support Calendar can be viewed at
www.capecoalition.com or
contact Paul Melville
(508) 771-4336 x 2 or
automatic e-mails each month.
FREE Fall Play & Learn
Groups Registration
is going on NOW!
Session 1 Registration August 19 – Sept. 5
First Session – Sept. 15 – Nov. 22
Registration form at the
Falmouth Public Library
or call
(508) 548 0151 x 172 to have
one sent to you.
Falmouth is a fabulous
place for families!
If you need help with food contact the
Falmouth Service Center @ 611 Gifford
Street: (508) 548 2794.
If you have experienced a family crisis or
emergency, please call (508) 548 0151 x
17 for the Emergency Family Fund.
If you are looking for Parent & Child
Together activities call the Coalition for
Children: (508) 548 0151 x 172.
If you need some parenting tips call
(508) 548 0151 x 172 and ask about our
classes and our lending library.
If you’d like to “check in” regarding your
child’s development, call (508) 548 0151
x 172 and ask for the ASQ.
The Coalition for Children: We’re here for you!
*show off your
baby
*talk to other
dads
*learn about
community
resources
*eat pizza
*listen to guest
speakers
B)
Workshop Listings and Community Offerings
Free Make and Take Workshop!
Pillow Case Workshop:
Temperament &
Your Child* With Jeanine Fitzgerald
Is your child shy? Overactive?
Sensitive? Fearless? Shy?
Gregarious? Inattentive?
Discover the reasons your child
behaves as she/he does.
Wednesday, March 25th
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
East Falmouth School –
Davisville Road
Register by calling 508 548
1052 x 7 311
*If school is cancelled, the
workshop is also cancelled. (NO MORE SNOW PLEASE!)
(U) How Can I Help? Coalition Suggestions
Volunteer Opportunities Need a kid fix?
Provide childcare for a day time
or night time parenting classes
Can’t stay out of the kitchen?
Provide a dinner for our night
time parenting class
Want to become involved?
Attend our council meetings
(bimonthly)
Want to meet new and
important people?
Visit your state reps – talk to
them – tell them about the
importance of local, quality
programming.
Call the Coalition office to sign up and for more information
508 548 0151 x 172
(F) The Coalition for Children
& Friends
FREE Play & Learn Groups Mondays –
9:45 Nursery Rhyme Time Drop-in
Falmouth Public Library
10:30 Pre-School Story Time Drop-in
Falmouth Public Library
3:45 Hola Spanish for Kids
(ages 7 – 10) (Registration required)
Falmouth Public Library
Tuesdays - 9:45 Intergenerational Music &
Movement (registration required)
JML Care Center –
184 Terrace Heun Dr. Falmouth
11:30 Messy Lunch Bunch
(registration required)
Falmouth Administration Building
Wednesdays - 9:00 Play & Learn Drop-in
Falmouth Admiration Building
10:45 – 11:45 Read & Rhyme
Storytime Drop-in
East Falmouth Library
Thursdays 9:45 Lap Babies Drop-in
Falmouth Public Library
10:30 Preschool Storytime Drop-in
Falmouth Public Library
Fridays 10:00 Tots n Tales Drop-in
11:00 Music & Movement (registration
required)
Saturdays STEM Saturdays Drop-in With Miss
Kim from
Elements, etc.
Falmouth Public Library
All programs are FREE for families with
children (birth to school age).
(508) 548 0151 x 172 For more information
(U) Upper Cape Dads’ Talk A safe, non-therapeutic conversation
for dads of babies, kids, and teens:
Regular dads talking about
regular stuff. FREE DINNER!
4th Tuesday of the Month,
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Cape Cod Child Development's Falmouth School Age Center (439 E. Falmouth Highway (Route 28),
East Falmouth)
NO cost or intake, but please let
us know you are coming: 508-548-0533 ext. 14
Become a Mentor!
MASS MENTOR is a foster care
agency serving children and teens with
emotional/behavioral challenges. LOOKING FOR caring, responsible
people to open their homes and hearts to
children in need of a safe and secure
home.
WE OFFER training, access to 24
hour professional support, and a $50.
tax-free daily rate. Short and long term
placements needed. 1-888-920-8700
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape
Cod & the Islands is looking for
caring adult volunteers and
accepting applications for local
children ages 7 to 12.
Become a volunteer you help a
local child. Change their lives for
the better, forever.
Please call 508-771-5150, visit
www.bbbscci.org, or stop in at our
office at 1934 Falmouth Road in
Centerville to learn more.
Falmouth’s
Preschool Fair Saturday, March 14, 2015
Falmouth Public Library Main Branch
11:30-1:30
Our theme ~ Healthy Eating Join us and meet local preschool and
childcare providers! Oral Health & Nutrition Info Family Support Free Upper Cape Resource Guides! Literacy, STEM, Financial Lit, crafts,
snacks, and fun!
Sponsored by the Coalition for Children www.thecoalitionforchildren.org 508.548.0151 x 172
Falmouth’s Parent Connection Series!
The Falmouth Public Schools & the Coalition for Children invite you to
Wednesday, March 25th 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
East Falmouth School = Davisville Road
Free limited Childcare with prior registration by March 23rd. Please contact Laney Cooke-
Johnson at 508-548-1052 ext. 7 311 or [email protected]
*In the event that school is cancelled for any reason, the workshop will also be cancelled.
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