King Social Workers Connections
February 2023!
School Social Workers
In This Newsletter:
- February Vacation - keep your kids engaged!
- Planning for Summer Vacation
- Important Events this Month including Black History Month
- Resources - MassHealth insurance renewal information, clothing, food, mental health and crisis support
Ms. Drennen
508.782.7233
Ms. Valentin
February Break!
Some Ideas of How to Keep Kids Engaged Over Break
- Reading together is a great activity to bond and keep them engaged in learning. If you can't read with your child, Vooks is a great tool they can use or sites on your child's Clever account.
- Visit a library - get your child a library card, check out books and DVDs, and see what free programs there is for the week. Calendar of events at Framingham Public Libraries.
- Play games - this is a good way to work on being a team player and good sportsmanship. Many games also have us use language, math and memory skills (think Monopoly, Memory, Go Fish).
- Make everyday things fun and flex their brains. Some examples are finding items in the store that start with a specific letter, adding up how much money you will owe at the store for the items you're buying, measuring out ingredients when you cook, telling the time, etc.
- Get outside! Taking a walk is good for your physical and mental health. It's also a great way to spend time together without electronics and talk.
- Cook or bake together. Plan a meal out together, look up a recipe together or teach a family recipe. Measure out ingredients, calculate the cost of the meal, make a shopping list together.
- Have routines. Kids do well when they know what to expect and this can get them excited for things that are planned! You can print up and make a calendar together (here is a sample week calendar and daily calendar). Have your kids get involved in chores around the house to increase independence and a sense of responsibility.
- Arts and Crafts - give your children a chance to be creative. Have your kids make something to gift to another person or that help with mindfulness, like making a stress ball or glitter jar.
- Have family meals. There's nothing like breaking bread for quality time together! If it is hard to get your kids to share about their day try having everyone share their "rose" and "thorn" from the day (their highlight and low point).
- Practice yoga together or have a dance party. Encourage your child to do something that is good for the body and mind, and doing it together can be a healthy way to connect with your child.
- Online learning resources. Have your child participate in the school Feb. break Bingo challenge that is being sent home or use the resources on your child's Clever page, such as Prodigy or Starfall.
Check out Community Kangaroo for ideas of things to do with your children (over February vacation and other times too!).
Planning for Summer Vacation
It seems strange to be thinking about summer plans now, but many places are already starting their registration process. Here is a list of some camps available in the area.
Black History Month
Month Acknowledgement
February is dedicated as Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history, including the civil rights movement and their artistic, cultural and political achievements. (Here are 120 things you probably didn’t know were created by Black inventors!)
While this is traditionally a time to share and show support of Black and African Americans, celebrating accomplishments and drawing attention to Black excellence can be exploitative if we do not also recognize and act on the fact that much of the oppression and pain felt by our Black friends, family, colleagues, and community members are very in the present, not only the past.
Just days before Black History Month began, the world was once again witness to brutality and lack of humanity directed at a Black person. The anger, the exhaustion, the need for action, change, and accountability, is real and present. Not imagined. Not past tense. Just as the contributions and excellence and accomplishments of Black Americans are not something found only in history, the suffering of Black people in America is alive and well today.
In March 2020, the federal government declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, MassHealth put protections in place that prevented members’ MassHealth coverage ending during the COVID-19 emergency. Renewals will now need to occur for families to ensure families still qualify for their current benfit. These renewals will take place over 12 months. MassHealth is recommending you take these steps now and more information will be sent to you with renewal steps:
- Make sure MassHealth has your most up to date address, phone number, and email so you do not miss important information and notices from MassHealth. If we are not able to contact you, your coverage may change or you may lose your coverage during your renewal.
- Report any household changes. These include a new job, address, changes to your income, disability status, or pregnancy. Update your information and report changes using your MA Login Account at www.mahix.org/individual.
Resources
Accessing Clothing and School Supplies:
You can put in a referral for clothing. Contact Ms. Drennen or Ms. Valentin if you are in need of backpacks and other school supplies, winter clothing, shoes, undergarments, pants, shirts, etc.
Ms. Drennen (grades K, 2, 4): 508.782.7233, jbethoneydrennen@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Valentin (grades 1, 3, 5): 508.782.726, jvalentin@framingham.k12.ma.us
Family Directory of Framingham Public School's helpful documents
Below are local resources for food in Framingham. Additional resources outside of Framingham are also at this link. As always, you can contact your social worker for assistance!
46 Park Street
Framingham
508-370-4921
Pantry hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Wednesday 5:00-7:00 PM Meal Service: Monday through Friday, 9:00-10:00 AM, 12:00-1:00 PM, 5:30-7:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday 12-1:00 PM
Emergency food pantry and meals program. Proof of address is required
Rose Kennedy Lane Community Room
1 John J. Brady Drive
Framingham
508-879-7562
Tuesday and Thursdays 11:30 AM-12 PM
Free lunch provided by Baypath Elder Services and Jewish Family Services served in the community room.
214 Concord Street
Framingham
508-848-2401
Every Saturday and the third Wednesday of the month from 9 AM-12 PM
Emergency food pantry. proof of address required.
Salvation Army/Framingham Food Pantry
350 Union Ave
Framingham
508- 875-3341
Monday-Friday 10 AM - 1 PM, by appointment
Emergency food pantry
15 Wheeler Ave
Framingham
508-875-5959
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Emergency food pantry. Open to Framingham residents.
10 Pearl Street
Framingham
508-239-6691
Wednesday, 3 -6 PM
360 Water St
Framingham
508-877-2152
Friday 4 -6 PM
Open to all. fresh meat, poultry and fish, plant-based proteins, canned goods, staples, fresh bread, bagels, milk, eggs, butter, gluten-free items, as well as toiletries, paper supplies, and cleaning products.
20 Beech St
Framingham
508-473-2842
Saturdays & Sundays from 3 PM - 4:30 PM
Open to all, enjoy a hot delicious meal, free clothing and a food pantry
District Calender
Feb. 9 - Family, Friends, and Neighbor Day (No Homework)
Feb. 20 - No School: Presidents' Day
Feb. 21 - 24 - No School: February Break
Mental Health and Crisis Support
- Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) - Call 800-640-5432
- LGBTQ+ The Trevor Project: Call 866-488-7386 text "start" to 678-678
- Suicide Crisis Line: Call 988
- Domestic Violence - Voices Against Violence Hotline: Call 508.820.0834