Family, Friends, and Neighbor Days
March 14, 2024
Family, Friends, and Neighbor Days (No Homework)
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Background
In 2018 the District introduced the concept of Family, Friends, and Neighbor Days. These were four identified days where no homework was assigned and students and their families were able to dedicate time to family, friends, or neighbors. The creation of these special days supported one of the four standards represented in the District's Strategic Plan includes Family and Community Engagement. The goals associated with this standard are driving Framingham Public Schools to foster community, family, and business partnerships that further support and engage our relationships and encourage collaboration.
If you look at the 2023 - 2024 District Calendar, you will see that there are 4 dates with this designation, which will (to the best of our ability) be held for family and community engagement. These days are called Family, Friends, and Neighbor Days.
The third Family, Friends, and Neighbor Day takes place on Thursday, March 14, 2024!
What happens on Family, Friends, and Neighbor Days?
In Dr. Tremblay’s vision of these days, the District will limit - or simply not assign - homework and we would avoid scheduling athletic practices/games, music rehearsals, and other school-driven commitments on family time in exchange for students to be afforded that time to engage with their family, friends, and neighbors.
Sometimes, our schools utilize this time to build connections with families.
There are several events taking place locally, including the FHS Multicultural Night and awesome family-friendly activities at our libraries. For our youngest learners and their grown-ups, there are also a few get-together groups. See below for details, as well as a list of fun ideas that may bring you together in your own home.
FHS Multicultural Night
Hosted by the FHS Asian Student Association
Framingham Public Library Events
Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham: Play Groups
See the FPL Website for more information!
March 14, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Main Library | Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham Room
- Mondays, 10:30am-11:30am with Jane (Play, Learn and Grow Together)
- Tuesdays, 10:30am-11:30am with Gracie (Play, Learn and Grow Together)
- Wednesdays, 1:00pm-2:00pm with Jeanette (Let’s Go to Kindergarten, Nap No More)
- Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00pm with Lucia (Play, Learn and Grow Together Bilingual Spanish/English Group) - This is the event on March 14th
All groups are free and inclusive. Siblings are always welcome. Need additional information about programs or resources? Contact us! 508-782-6932 jcohen@framingham.k12.ma.us
Early Release Movie
See Event Details on the FPL Website
March 14, 2024
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
McAuliffe Branch | Community Room | Grades 5 - 8
It’s an early release day, so they'll provide a stack of movies and you can choose what we watch!
Butterfly Suncatcher
See Event Details on the FPL Website
March 14, 2024
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
McAuliffe Branch | Craft Room | All Ages
Flutter into spring with beautiful Butterflies shining in your room!
Women's History Month: Fossil Making
See Event Details on the FPL Website
March 14, 2024
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Main Library | Spark Lab | Ages 6+
Learn about archaeologists and paleontologists while making your own fossils using air dry clay and digging out fossils through clay bricks.
Other Ways to Particiapte
Seasonal Activities
- Plant a spring garden (or even just a plant or two).[links to Real Simple]
- Blow bubbles! You can buy some bubbles at your local dollar store, or make your own at home [links to a Youtube Video].
- Fly a kite! Choose an open field and run around with the kids to try and get their kite up in the air.
- What better spring craft is there than making a DIY bird feeder [links to Family Handyman]?
- Go off-season sea glass hunting! Research some nearby beaches (Salem has a bunch of good ones), check the tide schedule (you want low tide), bring a bag for storing your pieces and a tool for digging. You may still want to wear winter or rain boots. [submitted by Rochelle]
- Make cookies and deliver them to friends, family, or neighbors!
- Love winter? You can still go ice-skating! There are public skating times daily (though most are in the mornings) and skate rentals available. Learn more and see pricing on the City of Framingham's website: Public Skating at Loring Arena
- Start a 'Gratitude Journal': Start each morning by listing five things you are grateful for. These can be 5 simple things like enjoying a warm cup of tea or coffee, sleeping through the night, connecting with a friend by text message, or enjoying a movie. There is always something to be grateful for—always. (You can do the research, but studies have found that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier.)
Tried and True (Previously shared)
Play a game of Family Q&A. Here are 101 Questions to get you started.
Have a smartphone? FaceTime, WhatsApp, FB Messenger or just call a family member out of the blue to chat about something new.
Find and follow a How-to Draw video on YouTube - then compare your creations! Take it a step further by putting that drawing in the mail and send it to a family member or friend!
Try Geocaching as a family or make-up your own scavenger hunt.
Have a dance party in your living room, taking turns who picks songs. Parents / Grandparents can use this as an opportunity to introduce new (old) songs to their kids.
Play some ‘Minute-to-Win-it’ games. Here is some inspiration.
Play a card game: Go Fish, Rummy, Spades, etc. Need a refresher? Here are some other ideas.
Prepare and enjoy a meal together (members of your household)
Host a ‘Game Night’ with your family and/or friends, and/or neighbors. (If you're still conservative with your COVID precautions, you can still do this by limiting to those you normally spend time with and wear masks if playing with non-household members)
Take a family walk - before or after dinner. Be sure to dress for the weather.
- Take your trek around the track: Bowditch Field, Barry Bograd Memorial Field track, or Cushing are all great places to take your family movement time.
- You can also do a woodsy walk at Callahan State Park, Cowassock Woods, Nobscot Reservation, or Macomber Estate. Learn more about Trails in Framingham (goes to the City of Framingham's website.)
- The Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) is another great, scenic walking path! A multi-use trail that runs from the Village of Saxonville in Framingham to Natick - a distance of 4 miles!
Looking for more? Explore Community Kangaroo!
Community Kangaroo
Community Kangaroo is a one-stop-shop for parents in the suburbs west and southwest of Boston, MA to find local events and info. They list every local kid-friendly event they can find on their calendar. Their maps help you find playgrounds, hikes, farms, birthday parties, and more!
Show us your Family, Friends, and Neighbors Spirit!
If your family participates in any of these or other activities to engage and connect with your family, friends, and neighbors - please share how you’re spending this Family, Friends, and Neighbor Day.
Sharing on social media? Use the hashtag #FFNDays AND tag @framinghamps on Facebook or @framinghamschools on Instagram!
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.