Back to School, Festivals, & Cambridge Carnival
How was your first week back at school?
Our parent coffees went very well. We greeted a lot of returning families and met so many new families. Some parents found out a few days ago that their kids are coming to our school, while others have kids that don't speak English very well, still other kids (like my daughter last year) found it hard to say bye to parents. It's good we were able to welcome everyone and made their day a bit easier.
We tried our best to answer questions from parents, or just to introduce ourselves, or get people information about upcoming parent events, e.g. the picnic Friday, our PTO meeting, or the back-to-school night.
Where possible, I also try to introduce people to each other, parents whose kids are in the same class. In building Yana, I've talked to by now at least 150 parents. I've heard how some feel left out, that others already know each other. So I've learned to always make an effort to talk to new people and connect them to another.
What also helps to connect parents are Room Parents! It's quite easy, you help make a class directory to connect all the parents in your class, which Yana can help with, and you ask the teacher if they need help, then just email the class for those requests, which only happens a few times a year, and usually for potlucks or snack help. We would really love a room parent or two for every class!
And not just at MLK, I've been talking to PTOs from other schools and everyone says the same. So if you're thinking about being a room parent, let me or someone at your school know. :)
There are a lot of great events this week as everyone's back in town. I'm psyched about the Cambridge Carnival. See the pic I took last year. Don't miss the fun! Warning: you might find yourself joining the dancing. ;-)
Weekend Events
Riverfest is the culmination of a summer of activity at Assembly Row. In partnership with The City of Somerville, Somer...
Tomorrow, 12pm - Sun., Assembly Row and Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park 
Bi-weekly Family Picnic at Dana Park
Finally, no rain at all! Last summer's very fun bi-weekly family picnic/playdate at Dana Park is back. You can bri...
Tomorrow, 6pm, Dana Park 
91st Annual Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian
Thousands from near and far join us for the Feast each year. The weekend of the festival is filled with excitement for ...
Tomorrow, 6pm - Sun., Warren street/ Porter Street, Cambridge 
Join us under the stars in Boston Parks to enjoy a movie and popcorn. This series is presented by the Boston Parks and ...
Tomorrow, 7:30pm, Frog Pond, Boston Common 
This annual event is designed to showcase the visual and performing arts in Boston. Affectionately dubbed (ähts), it be...
Saturday, 11am - Sun., Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park 
The JP Music Festival is a celebration of the music and incredible musicians of Jamaica Plain. The festival runs fro...
Saturday, 12pm, Pinebank Baseball Field 
Join us at the Starry Night 5K, an evening walk/run that gives hope to children and their families fighting the deadlie...
Saturday, 5:30pm, Christian Herter Park on the Charles River in Brighton
25th Cambridge Carnival International
Cambridge Carnival International is a colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions. The fe...
Sunday, 12pm, Kendall Square, Cambridge 
The Red Sox Showcase, powered by T-Mobile will bring Red Sox baseball and Fenway Park to towns across New England all s...
Sunday, 12pm, Assembly Row, Baxter Riverfront Park 
Science and Cooking Public Lecture Series: The Science of Risotto
The popular Science and Cooking lecture series returns this fall. The lecture series pairs Harvard professors with cele...
Monday, 7pm - 11/27, Harvard Science Center 