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MSN Community Announcements from Sept 2021

10/27/2021

To see the full newsletter with follow up from the September meeting click here!
Community Announcements from the MSN/ESON Kickoff

Emily St Germain, Cambridge Public Library: The HIVE at Cambridge Public Library is open to the public! It houses two recording studios, a space for virtual and augmented reality, digital and traditional tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, button makers, sewing machines and more. Free to the public and we'd love to welcome children, youth and their families into the space (and special partner programs!). First step for young people is to attend a safety training.
Barb MacEachern, STEAM Initiative: STEAM Initiative is committed to centering racial justice in all we do:
- STEAM it Up! Event on Thurs 10/21 from 6-8pm outdoors at the Pemberton Tennis Courts - 24 different community partners running hands on STEAM activities!
- STEAM Monthly Communities of Practice: returning this year with facilitator Melinda Barbosa, starting 10/21 on Zoom from 10-noon. CoP is for anyone engaged in program planning or running activities with young people of any age!
- How can we support you? We have activity kits, can offer PD, thought partnership and much more. We would love to talk about your opportunities and possibilities! Email Barb at bmaceachern@cambridgema.gov
Deanna Wu, Cambridge Public Health Dept: We received a grant from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, which aims to to improve youth wellness through prevention and delaying the onset of first use of substances (alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, etc.). I'm looking for people (providers, parents, youth) to join a workgroup/planning committee to help make decisions on how to use the funds and implement the grant. I'm hoping this work will be able to address things like mental health, racial equity, positive youth development, and restorative justice.
Deanna Wu, Cambridge Public Health: Cambridge is offering free PCR testing to people of all ages four days a week, no appointments needed. More information, including the schedule, can be found here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Testing
-CPHD will also be offering free flu shots at four clinics around the city in October. More information, including the schedule, can be found here: https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/diseases-conditions/flu/cambridge-flu-clinics.php
Melissa Castillo, DHSP/Cambridge Youth Programs: CYP is looking to hire energetic, talented and passionate youth workers. See this flyer for more info!
Emily Meyer, Cambridge Public Library:
- Teen Takeover at The Hive: Button Making, Wednesday, 9/22, 3:30-5:30: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/8349690
- Teen Takeover at The Hive: Augmented Reality with MERGE Cubes, Wednesday, 9/29, 3:30-5:30 (no link yet)
- Virtual Parent/Child Book Club for age 7-10, Tuesday, 10/12, 6:00: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/8320270
- Virtual Parent/Child Book Club for ages 10-13, Wednesday, 10/13, 6:00: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/8320790
- Teen Advisory Board, Monday, 10/18, 4:00: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/8250107

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Welcome back to the school year : September 2021

10/27/2021

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See our MSN September Newsletter here!

Young people at the RECESS program in Hoyt Field this summer!

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Lead with Play: come strategize about summer

5/3/2021

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Come join for the May MSN Meeting this Wednesday, May 5th!
We will be looking at the programs we offer to young people across the city (what is available for each grade?) and considering what we need to do as a network of providers to help young people build connections, support healing, and build something accessible for all. Come to think together about your own program, to help others brainstorm, and to weigh in on an exciting new project for the summer that has the potential to bring together providers and young people in new ways.
Meeting info: Wed, May 5th from 10am-12pm (come for all or some, whatever you can!)
Zoom info:

Zoom link for our next meeting: May 5th 10am-12pm. Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85644010963?pwd=RHZLUHMwQ3lPRFl1R2x2ODJvVUZqQT09

Photo credits for above photo, going clockwise: East End House, Parkour Generations Boston, City Sprouts, Maud Morgan Arts, Innovators for Purpose, Community Art Center

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MSN Community Announcements: March

5/3/2021

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MSN Team: tell us about your summer plans! We just published our MSN Summer Opportunities List to the web, which is a live update version that can be updated as you know more info.

Kelly Galvao, MIT Wellsley Upward Bound : Open house for families of interested 8th and 9th graders this week, April 21st. See flyer here with zoom link included.
Ted Hirsch, CCSC: Open House: If you think your current 5 - 9th grader would thrive in a small school centered on equity and making space for families of color, come learn about CCSC.Virtual Open House 6:30 April 14th and May 4th. Please register on our Web Page: https://ccscambridge.org/enroll/apply-now
Melisa Rojas, MIT Museum: Check out the MIT Museum events featured for the Cambridge Science Festival at our website! We have several programs for kids and adults the whole month of April: https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/program/cambridge-science-festival-2021
Emily Meyer, Cambridge Public Library: Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout: Yoga Sessions with Jaylee Momplaisir on April 21 and 28 at 4:00 Re-calibrate your mind and body with this all-level gentle yoga practice consisting of a slow vinyasa flow, long-held supported poses and calming breath work. This experience is designed to activate the body’s innate relaxation response which invites healing and restores balance. Class will be 45 minutes and blocks or books, blankets and pillows are recommended.
Hannah Weinstock, Science Club for Girls: Science Club for Girls is offering a one-week coding exploration for middle school girls (and those who identify with girlhood) during April Vacation (four days in afternoons) Register at https://forms.gle/RsCCENNYkpXLzZbf6! The coding club is FREE. All participants must have access to a computer (Chromebook or similar) and access to the internet. We will be using Zoom for the club meetings and FREE downloadable software for the coding (which will be shown how to download on the first day of clubs).
Emily Meyer, CPL: Library series of virtual social justice workshops for upper schoolers and teens showcasing five Cambridge teen activists who will share their experiences - every Wednesday in May.
Wednesday, May 5, 4:00, Climate Justice Monopoly with Spring Forward
Wednesday, May 12, 4:00, Know Your Rights with the National Lawyers Guild:
Wednesday, May 19, 4:00, Speak On It with Zahira Nur Truth of ZNT Arts
Wednesday, May 26, 4:00, Social Justice at the CPL with Cambridge teen librarians
Thursday, May 27, 6:00, Voices of Youth Activists: )this program is open to all ages)
George Hinds, OWD: Mayor's Program dates are tentatively planned for 7/6-8/13. Application window for young people will be May 3rd-14th. Virtual and in person job sites will be available and documentation is still required, but will be verified via zoom appointments.
Barb MacEachern, STEAM Initiative: Cambridge Science Festival (Entire month of April) Check out the link to see how you and your young people can get involved!
Ayesha Wilson, Work Force: we will be doing a 6 week summer program for rising 8th graders, looking to recruit 20 young people who are CHA residents, if you have someone in mind, email me their email address and parents name! Email awilson@cambridge-housing.org.

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MSN Community Announcements: March meeting

3/25/2021

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MSN Community Announcements (from our March meeting):

MSN Team: tell us about your summer plans! We are getting many questions and it helps us to know what you DO know, even if it doesn't feel like much!

Emily Meyer, CPL: Cambridge Public Libraries still have lots to offer even though you can't go in their buildings! Please spread the word with this info on available library services in seven languages: printable brochure and online flyer.
Matias Ramos, PBHA: The Harvard Black Men’s Forum has pivoted PBHA's David Walker Scholars Program to an online structure this year and are inviting all black, masculine identifying youth (up to 12th grade) to join. Email dws@pbha.org for Zoom link, meeting Saturdays at 12pm. Goal is to empower young, black men and masculine identifying individuals in the Cambridge and Greater Boston Area through education and mentorship to instill a strong sense of black cultural and historical pride and prepare students to tackle challenges they may face as young adults of color in America. We engage in meaningful discussions about life, participate in fun games and activities, and offer academic support.
David Landrigan, Navigation Games: check out outdoor events coming up in parks: https://www.navigationgames.org/upcoming-events, David.Landrigan@NavigationGames.org

George Hinds, OWD: Mayor's Program dates are tentatively planned for 7/6-8/13. Application window for young people will still be after April Vacation or early May, exact dates TBA. Virtual and in person job sites available.

Barb MacEachern, STEAM Initiative: Cambridge Science Festival (Entire month of April) Check out the link to see how you and your young people can get involved!

Ayesha Wilson: Elevate Youth is continuing to accept applications from families of 4th and 5th graders until capacity is met, meets at Danehy and Sennott Park through summer. For those who are interested, please text “CAMBRIDGE” to 857-995-8050 or email Elevate Youth’s Program Coordinator Cam Regan at cam@elevate-youth.org

David Landrigan: two community announcements:
- There is a group meeting with Dr Turk at CPS about outdoor learning aimed at both immediate needs and long term - if you have thoughts or want to be in the conversation email me: David.Landrigan@NavigationGames.org
- City Managers office is looking for community members to join the police advisory board to look at how police do policy and review individual incidents

Ayesha Wilson, Work Force: we will be doing a 6 week summer program for rising 8th graders, looking to recruit 20 young people who are CHA residents, if you have someone in mind, email me their email address and parents name! Email awilson@cambridge-housing.org.
Puja Kranz-Howe (she/her) YWCA Cambridge: GOLD is launching a pilot program for non binary young people for all of July, two days a week. Looking for middle schoolers/high schoolers who would be interested in joining a paid focus group to plan a Gender Expansive Summer Program. Flyer coming soon! pkranz-howe@ywcacam.org.
Deanna Wu, Cambridge Public Health: CPH is offering mini-grants to organizations (see section later in newsletter) From MSN, we're also looking for 1) your input on the mini grant application (mental health is so broad, we need ideas for how to focus it and give it more structure so that organizations have an easier time applying), 2) information on the best way(s) for organizations to access the application, and 3) a diverse group of people to review applications. This is our first time offering mini grants and we'd like for it to be as equitable and inclusive as possible. Please contact dewu@challiance.org with input/feedback/questions!

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What does remote schooling look like for CPS Upper Schoolers?

10/20/2020

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We have had many requests for the slides from our September meeting - especially those on the Upper School student schedules and summarizing the status for CPS schools and reopening. Here they are - please also feel free to email us with questions. Do you see an opening where you could serve young people within their virtual school schedules? Let us know and we can help you connect and explore the possibility of working with school staff on complementary programming or structure during asynchronous periods. Also, here are links to the specific schools' remote learning websites:

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MSN October Updates : Group Problem Solving

10/20/2020

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Thanks to all of you who joined for our October meeting - we had a mix of new and familiar faces.

Here’s a PDF of slides from the meeting (links are still clickable)

In case you missed it:
We reviewed our big picture basics on school reopening (the October date for the youngest learners to return to in-person is quickly approaching), criteria and metrics that CPS is posting on their website (see slides) and the conversation from the previous night’s School Committee meeting.
We had a great Q&A session about remote schooling with input and answers from school-based staff in four schools - Mariel Santos Dugan (Guidance Counselor at Amigos) Julia Ho (School Partnerships at RAUC) Dami Oluwole, Youth Connector at CSUS and Ted Hirsch from CCSC. We talked about what attendance looks like, struggles or strategies for video on/video off engagement and what homework looks like, among other things.

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Join us for October 7th MSN Meeting

10/5/2020

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Don't miss it! This Wednesday (Oct 7th) is our second MSN Meeting of the year - 10am-12pm in the Zoomiverse. Please Register here.

The focus for this meeting: group problem solving. Based on issues raised in our last meeting, we have a few suggestions (for more, see these visuals), and will be opening up the space to propose and hold breakout groups on the issues they are facing. Here are some ideas to give you a sense of content:

Where to get info on what is happening in Upper Schools - and how to partner with them if possible
PD needs and benefits for staff
Creative ideas for engaging virtual programming
Use of incentives for middle school participation

Bring your creativity, your empathy and frustrations (yes, there are so many) to the table. Also, we will smile and laugh, cause we all need that too.

Photo above: remember when we could all meet in person? Rachel and Marlees in their thinking poses at an MSN meeting last January

Zoom link for the meeting.
Link to full invite info with call-in numbers

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September 9th, Join us for Middle School Network

9/8/2020

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Join us to talk about this question - and more - for our first MSN Meeting of the year TOMORROW, Wed, Sept 9th, from 10am-12pm. Register here.
Zoom link for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88165057898?pwd=b0dOQUlxbU1adDc0akR6d05kZ1dzUT09

Link to full invite info with call-in numbers

Photo above: new artwork from Roberto Levins Morales

We will spend the first section of the meeting looking at Upper School remote learning schedules for this year and trying to imagine 'a day in the life' of a young person this fall. We will also review what decisions haven't been made, and what's still unclear.

After that, we will open the discussion to hear from each other on these four questions:

What are you concerned about?
What questions do you have?
What reflections/learnings do you have coming out of summer programs?
From your vantage point: what is needed for OST providers to be able to serve young people this fall?

As a network, we will decide on action steps as we figure out how support each other and young people this fall. This is when you depend on your network! Be part of it!

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And the Summer Begins …

7/6/2020

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Photo above: artwork from Roberto Levins Morales holding up Fred Hampton, another black man lost to police violence. He was a fighter for justice and power to the people, and his legacy should never be forgotten.

July. And the summer begins.

We know it doesn't feel the same this year. But that does not have to be a bad thing. There is movement happening on major racial justice issues that have always severely affected our community. There is trauma, raw pain and reckoning, and the need for healing, centering, listening and learning.

There are still young people in their homes wanting connection, challenge and love from adults in their community, especially now.

Oh, and did I mention that meanwhile, many of us are trying to run virtual summer programs for the first time? If you are in this camp, we will reschedule our Peer Share hour in the next couple of weeks to create a space for talking with others who are wrestling with the new dynamics of virtual programming.

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MSN Community Announcements from Sept 2021

Welcome back to the school year : September 2021

See our MSN September Newsletter here!

Lead with Play: come strategize about summer

MSN Community Announcements: March

MSN Community Announcements: March meeting

What does remote schooling look like for CPS Upper Schoolers?

MSN October Updates : Group Problem Solving

Join us for October 7th MSN Meeting

September 9th, Join us for Middle School Network

And the Summer Begins …

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