Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Winter Playgroups – Register Now!

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    Play_Sense_Playgroups_Play_Groups_Play_Therapy_Counselling_Early_Learning_Kids_Sign_orange

    Registration is now open for the winter session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 8 weeks starting in mid January.   Children and their moms, dads or caregivers attend and get to play and learn together through songs, books, and fun activities.

    Playgroups are held in different locations around the city.  There are four groups for children 2-5 years and two Tiny Tots groups for children 15-23 months. Details about the times and locations of groups are on the registration form.

    To sign up, fill out the registration form below and return it by Wednesday, December 16, 2015. 

    Winter 2015 Community Playgroup Registration Form

    By mail: Center for Families, c/o DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA, 02139  In person: Give it to anyone at the Center for Families (70 Rindge Ave.) or the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by January 8th to know if you are in a group or on the waitlist.

    Questions?  Contact Priscila at 617-665-3825 or pdecalvache@challiance.org.

    Playgroups are sponsored by the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative.

  2. Cambridge Dads: In Their Own Words

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    father posters moise

    This fall, more than 50 Cambridge dads submitted original writing submissions (including essays, poems, and reflections) answering the question, “What does fatherhood mean to you?”

    On the evening of Thursday, December 3rd, Cambridge dads and their families, and community partners gathered at City Hall to attend “Celebrating fatherhood: Cambridge dads in their own words,” a reception to honor and support the many dads who shared their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

    The reception included greetings from David Maher, Mayor of Cambridge and Richard Rossi, Cambridge City Manager, as well as readings from six of the fathers and a poster gallery featuring all of the stories.  To read the stories, visit bit.ly/dadswords. You can also view the poster gallery at Cambridge City Hall (795 Massachusetts Ave.) until December 18th.

    This event is part of a larger effort by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families to support fathers in Cambridge.

    father posters city hall

     

  3. Family Literacy Fun Day 2015

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    FLFD14
    Join us on Saturday, November 7th for the 19th Annual Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day, which kicks off National Family Literacy Month (November).

    This free event will take place at Cambridge City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is open to all Cambridge families with children in pre-K through grade 3.

    FLFD14-2

    The event includes children’s activities, free books, Bonaparte the Magician (shows at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.), sing-a-long, face painting, and more! For more information, call 617-349-6492.

    This event is sponsored by the Cambridge Family Literacy Collaborative, which includes Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools – Title 1 Program,  Center for Families, and City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs.

    FLFD flyer

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  4. Parent Workshops-Early Literacy Development

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    Join us for a three-part series –  Early Literacy Development:  Dads and Moms Make a Difference!

    Learn concrete strategies to support your child’s language and literacy development (birth to four years).

    Share your successes and challenges with other Dads and Moms.

    Topics include talking, reading, and managing screen time. Free books and giveaways!

    dad and kid reading

    Tuesdays, October 6, October 20 and November 3

    6:15-8:00pm, Windsor Street Health Center, 119 Windsor Street, 2nd floor

    Facilitated by Jen Baily, Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative.

    Limited child care available upon request. Light snacks served.

    To register contact Christine at 617-349-3003 or cdoucet@cambridgema.gov.

    Co-sponsored by Let’s Talk! and Center for Families.  Info: Early Literacy Development Series fall2015

  5. Fall Playgroups – Register Now!

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    Play_Sense_Playgroups_Play_Groups_Play_Therapy_Counselling_Early_Learning_Kids_Sign_orange

    Registration is now open for the fall session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 8 weeks starting in early October.   Children and their moms, dads or caregivers attend and get to play and learn together through songs, books, and fun activities.

    Playgroups are held in different locations around the city.  There are four groups for children 2-5 years and two Tiny Tots groups for children 15-23 months. Details about the times and locations of groups are on the registration form.

    To sign up, fill out the registration form below and return it by Friday September 25, 2015. 

    Fall 2015 Community Playgroup Registration Form

    By mail: Center for Families, c/o DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA, 02139  In person: Give it to anyone at the Center for Families (70 Rindge Ave.) or the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by October 2nd to know if you are in a group or on the waitlist.

    Questions?  Contact Priscila at 617-665-3825 or pdecalvache@challiance.org.

    Playgroups are sponsored by the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative.

  6. September Festivals

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    September is a busy month in Cambridge with a number of fun fall festivals to attend!

     

    *First Holiness Church Back to School Festival, September 5th from 12-3 p.m., Sennott Park. Info: BTS 2015 FT  BTS 2015 BK

     

    *The Port Pride Day, September 12th from 12-5 p.m., Clement Morgan Park. Info:  Port Pride Day 2015

     

    *Danehy Park Family Day, September 19th from 11-4 p.m.,  Danehy Park. Info: Danehy Day

     

    Enjoy!!

  7. Cambridge dads: in their own words

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    What does fatherhood mean to you?

    We are now seeking original writing submissions of any kind and length (including essays, poems, rap-lyrics, reflections, etc.) from Cambridge dads to be collected and displayed at a prominent city location.  The public will get a glimpse into what being a dad truly means to the men who live it.

    Deadline:  Monday, August 31, 5 p.m.

    One lucky dad will have his entry selected by Scout Cambridge Magazine to be featured in an upcoming issue!

     

    Need help getting started?  We have two free drop-in sessions to help you get started or to work on your piece….come on by!

    Wednesday, July 29th, 6-8 p.m., Agenda for Children, 119 Windsor Street, Ground Floor

    Monday, August 17th, 6-8 p.m., Center for Families, Back of the Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave., Door #10

     

    To enter, email submissions to Luis at lvasquez@cambridgema.gov with the subject “Fatherhood,” and include registration info: full name; age (optional); phone #; age of child(ren).  You can also drop your submission off at the Agenda for Children or Center for Families (addresses above) during normal business hours.

    Sponsored by Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

    Note: By participating in “Cambridge Dads: In Their Own Words,” I am consenting to the release of my written piece and/or photo/artwork to be used for all purposes surrounding promotion, execution, and physical display of the project by the Center for Families and Agenda for Children.

     

    Dads Words

  8. Cambridge Book Bike!

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    logo

    Let’s Move, Let’s Eat, Let’s Read!

    Cambridge Book Bike is ready for it’s second year! With the addition of a second bike (thanks Kids Council!) the Book Bike will be at 5 parks from June 29th to August 14th, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.  Children of all ages can pick a book, do a craft and hear stories read aloud.

    Mondays: Greene-Rose Heritage Park (Harvard St.)
    Wednesdays: Hoyt Field (Gilmore St.)
    Thursdays: Danehy Park (Sherman St.)
    Fridays: Gold Star Mothers Park (Gore St.)-starts July 10
    Fridays: Russell Field (Rindge Ave)-starts July 10

    Book Bike Schedule

    To stay up-to-date on schedule changes or rainouts, follow us on Facebook, or Twitter.

    The goal of the Book Bike is to give all children access to books to build their home library for enjoyment and learning in the summer to help prevent “summer slide”. Meeting families in the park for stories and activities, the Book Bike models that reading is fun! The program provide a wide variety of titles, topics and languages so children can find a book they want to read.  Research has shown that children read more when they select the book.  For more information:

    Why we should let kids choose their own summer reading books

    Why Do Poor Students Lag Behind Rich Students in Reading Development

    The Book Bike supports healthy bodies and healthy minds by visiting many of the Cambridge parks that participate in the Summer Food Program, which provides free lunches to children under 18. Free lunch is available at all the Book Bike parks except for Russell Field.  Summer Food Schedule: Summer Meals Program

    Book Bike partners include: Liz Phipps-Soeiro, Elementary School Librarian, Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, and Cambridge Public Library. For more information check out the Book Bike website or contact Jen Baily, AFC Literacy Coordinator, jbaily@challiance.org, 617-665-3812

  9. Summer Fun in Cambridge!

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    Summer is a great time to talk, read, play, sing, and have fun with your child!  Cambridge has many wonderful (and free) activities for your family. Thanks to the 0-8 Council  for compiling this list. Enjoy!

         

    Library Events

    “Every Hero has a Story” in the 2015 summer reading program for children

    • Summer Reading and other events including puppet shows, real animals, science programs, magic, movies etc. at the Cambridge Public Libraries across the city
    • Summer Reading 2015

     

    Movies Outdoors

    Screen on the Green

    • Summer outdoor movies on Wednesdays in a different park each week, July 8 – August 12
    • Screen on the green dates
    • 617-349-6200

     

    Museums, Zoos and Other Attractions

    Free Fun Fridays throughout the state June 26-August 28, 2015

    • Every Friday 7 attractions are free to the public and include Tanglewood, the Children’s Museum, Franklin Park Zoo, Hancock Shaker Village, Museum of Fine Arts and others
    • Offered by Highland Street Foundation
    • Free Fun Friday Schedule

    Passes from the library for museums and zoos can be reserved up to a month ahead

     

    Parks

    Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) plus Let’s Move activities

    • June 29- August 14, 2015
    • Located at 5 parks: Greene Rose Heritage Park (Harvard St.), Sennott Park (Broadway), Hoyt Field (Gilmore St.), Danehy Park (Sherman St., by sprinklers), and Gold Star Mother’s Park (Gore St.). Open for drop-ins
    • 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Exercise and Activities; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch and Book Bike (see section on Book Bike! for days and locations)
    • For kids 0-18
    • Call 617-349-6247 or Summer Food Program for more information

    Book Bike!

    • The Cambridge Book Bike, in collaboration with the Summer Food Service Programs is bringing books to kids of all ages…by bike!
    • Each week the book bike will be at Greene-Rose Heritage Park (Mondays), Hoyt Field (Wednesdays), Danehy Park (Thursdays), Gold Star Mother’s Park (Fridays) and Russell Field (Fridays, but no lunch at this site) with books and activities.
    • Learn more at Book Bike

     

    Water-play parks

    • 26 water-play parks in Cambridge
    • Water Play Parks
    • For information about when fountains and pools are in operation, call 617-349-4800

     

    Arts in the Park

    • Free art activities, community potlucks, and entertainment in local neighborhood parks. Details: arts in the park

     

    Performances

    Cambridge Arts Council’s “Summer in the City”

    • Free programs including music, dance, storytelling, theater, puppets, arts and crafts day and night across the city. Many events are interactive.
    • See Summer in the City for details
    • 617-349-4669

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    Festivals and Community Events

    Center for Families Family Fun Day, July 18, 10:00 – 1:30,

    • Rindge Field (behind the Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave.).
    • Children ages 0-8 and their families are invited for a fun morning of arts & crafts, moon bounces, face painting, book giveaways, a light lunch, and more!
    • Rain location is Peabody School Gym.
    • Call 617-349-6385 for more information.

     

         Area IV Community Pride Day, September 12, 11:00 AM – 6 PM 

    • Columbia Park, between Columbia St. and Pine St.
    • Bar B Q, live music and dancing, basketball tournament, live entertainment, pony rides, resource tables, fun for everyone.
    • Call 617-547-4680 for more information.

     

    General Activity Listings

    Department of Human Service Programs’ (DHSP) Summer Resource Guide 2015

    • Lists variety of summer programs including camps, park/playground activities, lessons, sports programs during the day and evening, and some paid opportunities
    • Summer Youth Guides are available in Spanish, Creole, and Portuguese
    • Summer Resource Guide  (617-349-6200)

     

    Title I Summer Packet and Booklists 

     

    Center for Families activities

    • Center for Families offers drop-in groups, play-groups, programs in the park,
    • Info: Center for Families

     

    Summer activities for children with special needs

     

    Cambridge Public Schools website listings

     

     

    Compiled by Cambridge 0-8 Council. For more information about summer activities contact Jayne Cantor, Cambridge Community Partnerships for Children 617-349-6086 or Jayne_ccpc@yahoo.com

     

     

  10. 22nd Annual Hoops ‘n’ Health

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    Join us for the 22nd Annual Hoops ‘n’ Health Sports Tournament and Health Fair on Saturday, June 20th at Hoyt Field (Gilmore St. and Western Ave).

    Health fair is from 12 to 4 pm. featuring:

    • kids’ activities
    • free books
    • music
    • food
    • prizes
    • health screenings
    • community resources
    • and more!

    For more information, call Richard Harding at 617-665-3769 or view Hoops family flyer 2015

    Hoops ‘N’ Health is the largest health fair and citywide sports tournament in Cambridge. Since its start in 1993, this annual event has been bringing together hundreds of residents over Fathers Day weekend to build community and highlight the importance of men’s health.