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Hello Families,
As you know, children are natural experimenters and inventors. We want to encourage them to maintain that curiosity through STEM activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math. Across the
nation, schools and community programs are focusing on STEM programs to expand children's thinking and encourage interest in these areas to ensure higher academic performance now through high school.
Each week, in YMCA School Age Child Care programs, we offer hands-on STEM programming, from cooking to gardening to engineering bridges out of toothpicks. Children can enjoy these projects in an informal atmosphere with looser time constraints, which encourages even the most timid student. As kids dig into real-life science, technology, engineering and math, classroom concepts are reinforced through scientific discovery with the Y. Ask your site team about their latest projects to learn more.
Sincerely,
The School Age Child Care Team
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PLAN AHEAD & REDUCE STRESS
When school is out, the Y is in!
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MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY | January 18
Join us as we travel to Boston to expand our minds at the Boston Museum of Science. Together, we'll take a trip to the outer limits of space, look at science in the playground, travel to the hall of human life and so much more. We'll also experience an IMAX movie in the Mugar Omni Theater, where the world's largest film format is projected onto a five-story-tall IMAX® Dome screen.
Learn more about pick up, drop off, bus transportation and register.
EARLY RELEASE ENRICHMENT
January 13 | Kingston |
Honore LaFlamme Zumba
January 29 | Hampton
| Honore LaFlamme Zumba
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TORTELLINI WITH CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI
Servings: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: about 20 minutes
Ingredients:
24oz broccoli
2 Tbs Hannaford Inspirations Garlic Dipping Oil
1/3 C chicken broth, low sodium
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 dash crushed dried red pepper flakes
10oz cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
20oz Three Cheese Tortellini
2/3 C grated Asiago cheese
Directions:
1. Fill a large pasta pot with at least 10 cups of water and place over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil.
2. While water is heating, cut broccoli into florets. Set aside.
3. In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine dipping oil, chicken broth, lemon juice, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Whisk to combine. Add chicken to sauce and microwave on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
4. When water boils, add tortellini to pot and stir. When water returns to a gentle boil, add broccoli and stir. Continue to stir occasionally until tortellini is done cooking, after approximately 8 to 11 minutes in the water.
5. Drain tortellini and broccoli in a colander. Do not rinse.
6. Add sauce and chicken to pot. Add tortellini and 1/3 cup of the Asiago cheese. Toss well to coat tortellini and broccoli with sauce.
7. To serve, divide among four bowls. Garnish with remaining 1/3 cup Asiago cheese.
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BRENTWOOD
Join us as we explore science with activities such as Ready Set Snow, Fishing for ICE and the toothpick tower. We'll get our creative sides moving by painting winter scenes, making rain sticks and marble painting. Of course we won't forget our physical activity by having snowball races, snowball fights, freeze tag and more!
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DANVILLE
We're looking forward to playing new group games like the Snowball Race and the Red Hen Relay. We'll start the New Year with a bang by using STEM activities to create mini explosions!
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EAST KINGSTON
We'll be sledding and making snowmen throughout the winter. We'll explore painting with items other than paintbrushes, test out science experiments and play winter-themed games!
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EXETER
We're keeping active with snowball races, snowman construction and games like Ready, Set, Snow! We'll try our hands at different painting methods including string art, marble painting, toothpick painting and more!
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FREMONT
We're excited to start the New Year with a set schedule and new "Table Talk Time" after outside activities. During "Table Talk Time" we'll share something positive about our days and do mellow enrichment activity. We're also looking forward to many new crafts, STEM projects, literacy activities and physical activities. It's always great to see the children excited to learn and try something new!
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HAMPSTEAD
We're excited to hear about everyone's goals for the New Year. We'll be doing some pretty fantastic physical fitness activities including: Capture the Flag, Dress Like a Snowman Relay, and 3 Step.
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HAMPTON
We'll play new CATCH Kids Club games including Game Wardens; Snow Globe Tag; Foxes, Trees, and Squirrels; and many more. Together, we'll try new ways to create art including toothpick painting, color-changing flowers and marble painting.
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HAMPTON FALLS
We can't wait to get winter started! We'll create our own winter wonderland if there is no snow by having indoor snowball fights, a snowball relay, making snowflakes and so much more!
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KENSINGTON
This month, it's all about snow! We've got games and activities like Snow Globe Tag, Erupting Frozen Snowballs, Snow Slime and Snowball Dodgeball planned.
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KINGSTON
Children have requested the return of last year's favorite activities. We'll create houses out of toothpicks and marshmallows and then test them to see if they can withstand our Jell-O earthquake. We'll also make marble runs. It's so cool to see how imaginative our teams are! We'll get creative and paint with all sorts of things such as toothpicks and string. We'll even make puffy paint!
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NEWTON
We'll bring in the New Year with an improved homework program. We now offer separate space for children with homework. And, we now offer communication slips so parents can know what their children did well with and what they may need some additional help on. Our schedule has also changed to add more physical activity with games like Snowball Race, Alligators in my Backyard and Link it Tag!
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NORTH HAMPTON
We'll explore the winter and all the fun it has to offer. We'll use our creative sides to make snowflakes, winter landscapes and to imagine what we would happen if we lived in snow globes. We'll also get active by trying our hands at a snowball fight (with or without snow!), Ready Set Snow and Snow Globe Tag.
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PLAISTOW
Students are working hard to earn a pajama day, a pick their own snack day and even a movie day! How? Points are earned when staff witness students doing random acts of kindness and following the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We'll also play exciting games and look forward to a Snowball Race and our Dress like a Snowman Relay!
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RAYMOND
We're celebrating winter with games and activities like If I Live in a Snow Globe, Frozen Bingo, Ready Set Snow and Winter Word Searches.
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SEABROOK
We're bringing in the New Year by learning about New Year's resolutions and what they mean. We'll also focus on winter by creating snow paintings, snowman relays, cutting snowflakes, having snowball fights and more. Bring on the New Year!
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STRATHAM
As we welcome the New Year we'll learn about resolutions and create some of our own. We'll try out STEM activities such as the spaghetti tower challenge and marble roller coasters. Of course we cannot wait to enjoy the snowy winter weather so we can have snowball races, snowmen relays and more!
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Learn more about the Southern District YMCA. Visit us online:
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Tanya Gonzalez
Program Director
603 319 5941
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Chelsea Belinsky
Program Coordinator
603 319 5943
Chelsea coordinates Danville, Fremont, Hampstead, Kensington, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow and Raymond
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Stephanie Sturgis
Program Coordinator
603 319 5942
Stephanie coordinates Brentwood, East Kingston, Exeter, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Seabrook and Stratham
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Did you know?
We have added a SIGN IN direct link from our website -
YMCA School Age Child Care. Find it in the top right corner beside the Register link. The SIGN IN link will take you directly to the page to enter your username and password.
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Beverly Bowles
District Office Manager
603 319 5932
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We're excited to announce the addition of several new staff at our programs. Please join us in welcoming:
Hampton
: Tyler Paluch, Program Assistant
Kingston:
Adam Mullen, Site Director and Brooklynn Gahn, Program Assistant
Newton: Rebecca Beland, Group Leader
Plaistow:
Jessica Beland, Group Leader
Floater:
Courtney Copp and Erika Landers, Group Leaders
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Congratulations to this month's Core Value Kids of the Month!
Each month a child is selected from each site who always does an excellent job displaying the f
our core values of the YMCA: Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility.
Brentwood:
Zachary S
Danville:
Zachary S
East Kingston:
Ryan O
Exeter:
Alexa L
Fremont:
Luc B
Hampstead:
Kirk K
Hampton:
Emma C
Hampton Falls:
Gabriel D
Kensington:
Lucas D
Kingston:
Ryan M
Newton:
Trenton B
N. Hampton:
December B
Plaistow:
Riley B
Raymond:
Jackson M
Seabrook:
Luke S
Stratham:
Max D
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