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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
We're sending this May 2023 edition of Notes on Connection a little early this month. This is a very busy and exciting time for us as we approach our 4th annual Westborough Unplugs (a local initiative inspired by the Fairplay for Kids National Screen Free Week) AND Spring into Wellness: A Square One Collaboration. You'll see details for both included in this newsletter. You can also watch an interview with myself and Laura Cerniglia on Westborough TV's The 01581: Let's Talk show with host Shelby Marshall HERE. The Community Advocate published a nice preview of the week HERE.
A few other important things to highlight for the month:
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In addition to offering Spring into Wellness, the Square One collaboration team has updated its Mental Health Resource List and you'll find it under "Noteworthy Reads and Resources."
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May is also Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out the WPL's film festival in its honor (under "Community Programs and Events in Westborough").
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Jewish American Heritage Month is celebrated in May. With a marked rise in Antisemitism on a national scale and recent local incidents in Natick and Framingham, I want to call your attention to another important community program happening on May 22nd right here in Westborough - "Three Responses to Everyday Antisemitism." (flier under "Community Programs and Events in Westborough").
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Teachers everywhere will be celebrated during National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8th-12th). Read on to learn how Westborough Education Foundation is making that happen here.
You'll find numerous other free community events listed in here and I hope you find some time to attend them. We are fortunate to have so many great organizations offering programs that bring people together - for fun and for more serious topics.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
NOTE: DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THIS NEWSLETTER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLICK "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN IN ORDER TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER OR CLICK HERE to View as Webpage .
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Please Take Our Community Input Survey |
As a grassroots nonprofit, it is important to listen and respond to the needs of our community. Our annual Community Input Survey helps us better understand what YOU want and need from Westborough Connects.
Will you take some time to complete our survey? The survey takes only 5-10 minutes and your responses will be completely anonymous. Thank you!
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
A curated selection of articles, videos, and resources that we find worthy of sharing each month. |
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In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Square One has updated the Mental Health Resource List, featuring local, regional and national resources to support your mental well-being. Find it HERE (English) and HERE (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic). Print it out, hang it on your fridge, share it with others!
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U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently appeared on the On Being Project episode, "To Be a Healer." It is VERY good and Murthy speaks to many things that are top-of-mind for Westborough Connects and our mission of helping to build a thriving, kind and connected community where everybody belongs.
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Thank you for voting for us! |
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We are honored to receive the EDC
2022 Year in Review Award
for Civic Pride!
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This award was determined by voting by the public and recognizes a business (including nonprofits!) that has cultivated a reputation as a strong community partner and friend. We are honored to have won and congratulate all the winners! Thank you to all who voted and the EDC for sponsoring the awards.
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Upcoming Westborough Connects Programs |
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for times, locations and other details for each and every event!
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for a full schedule and event details
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Upcoming SPARK Kindness Program |
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Westborough Connects is a member of the SPARK Kindness network and we are pleased to share their programs with you!
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A special program for educators on how to support students (and schools) in navigating the challenges of technology
+ "growing up online."
May 15th, 4-5pm
via Zoom
Educators are inundated with issues related to students’ public online sharing. What can we do when explicit or hateful images and videos circulate in school communities? How can we prepare all students (and staff) for the realities of having a searchable digital reputation? Drawing from the research for Growing Up in Public, Devorah will engage educators, school leaders, and guidance counselors on how we can shift our focus from the threat of reputation consequences to a conversation about character.
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Community Programs and Events in Westborough |
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Between May 8th and 12th, you may notice beautiful "Gratitude Gardens" sprouting up in front of Westborough Public School locations around town. Be sure to drive or walk by to check them out.
What is a "Gratitude Garden?"
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Westborough Education Foundation (WEF) is hosting a fundraiser whereby parents, caregivers and community members can purchase toy pinwheels as a token of appreciation for the talents and efforts of Westborough educators. Volunteers from the Westborough Education Foundation will be "planting" purchased pinwheel "flowers" at each of the Westborough Public Schools. The initiative will enable WEF to fund grants to teachers and educators for the implementation of innovative educational programs, partnerships and enrichment activities which are outside the funding normally provided in the school budget.
How can you learn more?
Visit the Gratitude Garden page of the Westborough Education Foundation website HERE. |
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Presented by:
Westborough Historical Society
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Protecting Open Space in Westborough
On Monday, May 8 at 7pm on Zoom: The Westborough Historical Society will present this virtual program. Celebrating a quarter-century of preserving open space and creating trails, WCLT founder Tim Buckalew and current leaders will describe the history and accomplishments of the Westborough Community Land Trust. This program is free on Zoom. To register for this program, please click HERE. |
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Open House
Saturday, May 6 from 2-4pm
The Westborough Historical Society will have an Open House at 13 Parkman Street as part of "Westborough Unplugs.” Come check out 300 years of Westborough history,
housed in the 1844 Greek Revival home of sleighmaker William Sibley. Parents, children and the public are invited to tour our collection and learn about our town’s history. We will have a table of free Mother’s Day gifts, so children can pick out a special gift for Mom. We look forward to seeing you!
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Open and free to all. Registration preferred but not required. RSVP HERE.
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Westborough Community Land Trust presents: |
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The Westborough Community Land Trust is hosting several other events this month. For more information, click HERE.
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For more details and to register for these and other events from the Westborough Public Library, click HERE.
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Leduc Art & Antique is hosting an open house to showcase a new collection it will be featuring. All are welcome. |
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Project Graduation 2023
needs YOU!
In 1 month, the WHS Class of 2023 will graduate and Project Graduation will sponsor its annual all-night celebration for them.
This alcohol-free/drug-free event provides our graduates with entertainment, food, games, and a chance to have an exciting, fun, and safe overnight with friends. Our proud 30+ year tradition is only possible thanks to the generous financial donations and volunteer hours from the entire Westborough community. We need and appreciate your support in keeping another year of proud Ranger graduates safe and sound.
Visit HERE to see how you can help.
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Reliant Foundation's
Drive for a Difference
Westborough Connects Community Grant Sponsor Reliant Foundation is hosting its 25th Annual Drive for a Difference golf tournament!
Golf slots are SOLD OUT! But many opportunities remain to support this important event.Proceeds support the foundation's community grants program (which supports Westborough Connects and MANY other local organizations).
Click HERE to learn more.
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Westborough Community Land Trust volunteer Janet Anderson shared her gratitude for the broad community support for this year's town-wide Earth Day Litter Cleanup. You can read it HERE.
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Arbor Day Foundation named Westborough a 2022 Tree City USA to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management! Read about it HERE.
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"The quality of one’s life depends on the quality of attention. Whatever you pay attention to will grow more important in your life. There is no limit to the kinds of changes that awareness can produce.”
-Deepak Chopra
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Westborough Connects, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472), is a community connector with a mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we connect people to resources and to each other. We foster meaningful relationships through events, collaborative partnerships and communications. |
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westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org
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