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NEWSLETTER

September 2023

September Event Spotlight:

Join us for a baby playgroup! Meet other parents and caregivers and learn about healthy development while your baby plays and socializes! For infants aged 0-12 months and a caregiver.


Click here to sign up!

Resource Spotlight

Parent Companion is a guide for Texas parents and caregivers of children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities from birth through 5 years of age.

The Georgetown Project will be closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day.

Back to School with TGP

We hope that the transition back to school has been a smooth one, and we are sending best wishes to all students, parents, teachers, and school staff for a fun, successful school year! We have compiled a few tips to share to help your kids succeed in school:


  • Establish routines. Routines for bedtimes, mornings, and homework can go a long way in smoothing out the day.
  • Be positive. Talk about school and your child's teacher in a positive way, and set positive expectations and goals for learning.
  • Be involved. Reach out to your child's teacher and school, see what you can do to help, and keep those lines of communication open.
  • Connect with your child. Build in time to connect and communicate with your child. Maintaining quality time in busy seasons is important!


As kids get settled in their classrooms, the programs of The Georgetown Project are welcoming kids and families back too. Below, you'll find information about the activities planned at TGP Bridges to Growth, TGP NEST Empowerment Center, and the After School Action Program.

TGP Happenings

Soirée: A Coming Together for Kids

October 21, 2023

We hope to see you at the 2023 Soirée: A Coming Together for Kids! The theme is Cirque du Soirée—think very, very upscale carnival—and promises a unique experience at the Cutter Aviation Hangar at Georgetown Municipal Airport. The Soirée is a collaborative fundraiser hosted by The Georgetown Project, Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown and Georgetown Family YMCA. Together, these three nonprofits make a difference for thousands of local children and families in our community every year. 

 

Get your tickets now at soireewilcotx.org

2023 Raise Awards Nominee

We are so excited to be nominated for the 2023 Raise Awards as Innovative Nonprofit of the Year!  


Each year, OneCause recognizes achievements in the nonprofit sector at the Raise Awards. The Georgetown Project was nominated in the category of Innovative Nonprofit of the Year, which recognizes innovation and creativity in fundraising by organizations who are thinking outside the box and implementing new ideas. We are honored!

Helping Kids Thrive

Positive Childhood Experiences Help Children Thrive

There has been a lot of research in recent years about how ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, negatively affect children into adulthood, but there's exciting new research about how PCEs, or Positive Childhood Experiences, can help help children grow and thrive.


A study published in JAMA Pediatrics showed that the more PCEs a child experienced, the lower the risk of depression or mental health struggles as adults. In fact, adults who had 6 of the 7 PCEs as children had 72% lower risk of having depression or poor mental health overall as an adult.


The best news is that these Positive Childhood Experiences are not complicated. Simple activities like reading together, chatting in the car, and eating dinner together provide the kind of PCEs a child needs to thrive. We can all do our part to provide a listening ear, show an interest in a child, and help them feel supported.


Click to read more about PCEs affect on children: How parents can shape a child’s future with small moments of joy.

Raising Resilient Kids


Want to know more about building resilience in kids? Join us on Zoom during your lunch break on Monday, September 11, to learn more about parenting strategies for encouraging resilience.


Click here to register.

News from the NEST

Back to School at TGP NEST Empowerment Center

By Brigid Cooley, NEST Empowerment Center Coordinator

The NEST is no longer empty! Students were welcomed back Thursday, August 17, the first day of the school year here in GISD.


Since then, we’ve been sharing summer stories with one another, having water balloon fights outside, challenging each other to Wii tennis matches and even participating in a Bingo night.

Some of my personal favorite moments so far include hearing Leonard Cohen’s Alleluia being played (in a minor key!) on our upright piano and listening to one of our students hum their favorite songs while helping load the dishwasher after dinner.


And speaking of dinner, meals supplied by our community partners have been delicious, hearty and made with love.


Thanks a million to those who reached out to me to deliver in-kind donations for our food pantry and hygiene closet. Each is well-stocked right now and already being used. Anyone interested in donating to or assisting here at the NEST, please make sure to email me at brigid@georgetownproject.org.


Wishing everyone a smooth semester and hoping for rain. 


-Brigid


Activities at After School Action Program

ASAP Registration is Open!

ASAP, or After School Action Program, is a partnership program of Georgetown ISD, The Georgetown Project, and Georgetown Parks and Recreation that offers GISD middle school students safe after school activities that promote responsibility and healthy decisions.


At ASAP, we challenge middle schoolers to skip the screen time and get out there to THINK - MAKE - DO! We offer exciting activities that include Art, Cooking, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Pickleball, Homework Help, Science, Community Service, Babysitters Certification and more!


Classes are offered at all four GISD middle school campuses from Monday through Thursday. Classes begin this week, but families can register and begin at any time! Click here to learn more and to register.


Questions? Reach out to Carey Thornell, ASAP Coordinator at thornellc@georgetownisd.org.

The Buzz at Bridges to Growth

TGP Bridges to Growth Reopening September 5

At TGP Bridges to Growth, we have spent the last month getting ready to welcome families into our new space at the Carver Center for Families. We just can't wait to show you, so here's a sneak peek!

TGP Bridges to Growth Early Childhood Play Space


Families are invited to drop in to play on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2-5pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm!

TGP Bridges to Growth Activity Space


We have two activity spaces and host regular kids' activities, parent workshops and groups, and childcare provider training classes.

Registration for September Events is Open!

Register for events on Eventbrite. Click here to sign up!

Click the flyer to enlarge.

Click here to learn more about the levels of ESL and Spanish. Click here to register.

Questions? Email alondra@georgetownproject.org.

Spanish Kids Club for 1st-3rd Graders

We have just a few spots left in our Spanish Kids Club on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30, starting September 19. For more information or to sign up, email alondra@georgetownproject.org.

Circle of Security Parenting Series Coming in October

TGP Bridges to Growth is excited to partner with Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center to offer the parenting series, Circle of Security!


Circle of Security is a free 8-week parenting program based on years of research about how to build a strong relationship with your children. These workshops help parents give their children a feeling of security and confidence so they can explore, learn, grown, and build positive relationships -- all essential skills for life-long success.


Click here to learn more. Questions? Email Sgibson@wilcocactx.org.

September Early Childhood Educator Workshops

Full fall workshop calendar coming soon!

Register
Register

Community News

GISD Listening Tour

GISD parents are invited to attend a Listening Tour this fall with Dr. Padavil, superintendent. Meeting dates are opportunities to share strengths and areas for improvement in the district. Join us for a date that best fits your schedule:


September 5 - Georgetown HS, 6 pm

September 11 - Wagner MS, 6 pm

October 3 - Wolf Ranch, 6 pm

November 2 - Village ES, 6 pm

November 6 - East View HS, 6 pm

December 5 - Benold MS, 6 pm


The greater GISD community is invited to attend a Listening Tour this fall with Dr. Padavil, superintendent. Meeting dates are opportunities to share strengths and areas for improvement in the district. Join us for a date that best fits your schedule:

Sept. 22 - Rotary Club of Georgetown, Downtown Club, Noon 

Oct. 23 - Friends Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 6 pm


With support from funding partners

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