Greetings and welcome to the April Edition of the One Strong Community Newsletter, available on the One Strong Page. We have been missing in action for the last three months, but we have some excellent community learning & showcasing to give to you all. As always, we want to thank you for being a reader/supporter of the One Strong Community, and we hope you enjoy reading our newest update!
April Community Updates
- Winter Season Highlights
- Changing Curriculum & taking training
- Marketing and Preparing for Summer
Looking back at the winter, we witnessed many accomplishments and unforgettable moments that brought us closer as a community. We are currently updating our curriculum and introducing new training practices that we acquired through EEC (Department of Early Childhood Education and Care) sessions. Mr. Julio and I hope that these changes will enhance the learning and play experience while equipping our team with helpful tools and skills necessary to tackle any challenges that may arise in the classroom environment. In addition, we are intensifying our marketing efforts and laying the groundwork for the upcoming summer season.
Winter Highlights
During February and into March, we challenged our community members to venture into new territories of fun and learning.
With the winter break offering ample time and decent weather, we encouraged everyone to walk to the park with us, try new variations of past games like dodgeball and 2 square, various card games, and navigate through mazes, sparking interest and excitement.
As we did at the beginning of the year, we utilized Classcraft to kickstart this initiative, gamifying the experience and making it more interactive. We also crafted program rules, fostering a collaborative environment where members could set healthy boundaries and establish clear expectations. This period was about play and building a structured yet flexible framework that empowered our members to explore and grow.
Changing from Classcraft but not losing Gold Pieces
Due to changes with Classcraft, including its upcoming closure and switch to a new version, we're moving back to our original way of motivating students. Although Classcraft was helpful, the new version won't have all the same features right away. So, we're sticking with our tried-and-true methods to keep students excited and involved in learning, ensuring they stay engaged and happy in our programs.
We will undoubtedly miss the unique aspects of Classcraft, especially the fun of having characters, using various tools, and the pet features that added an extra layer of engagement to our classroom dynamics. The noise volume meter, in particular, was a valuable tool for managing classroom ambiance and helping students learn about self-regulation in a fun and interactive way. These elements brought a sense of adventure and excitement to learning, and their absence will be felt as we transition to our traditional methods of student engagement.
Discover One Strong Summer Program
With my 16 years of experience in education, our Director has designed a summer program packed with fun and educational activities to help build strong relationships and promote personal growth. Our goal is to create a supportive and intimate environment that fosters learning and development in children. At One Strong, we believe that every child deserves to feel seen and valued. Therefore, we welcome families using Seven Vills vouchers and also offer limited subsidies for those who do not qualify for state assistance. Finally, we will take refreshing walks to Ray Ash Park where we will enjoy water play with a pool and splash pad!
Our "One Strong Summer" program features weekly themes that promise a season of excitement and discovery. We'll start with Adventure Week, where we'll gear up for a hiking journey, followed by a trip to the Seymour Planetarium during Exploration Week. Recreation Week will have us playing football at Szot Park, and Observation Week brings the wonders of wildlife right to us with a visit from the Forest Park Zoo. Creative Arts Week offers a chance to express ourselves through painting, while Nature Week introduces us to the joys of a small Farmer's Market Event. Science Week takes us on an exploratory trip to the Connecticut Science Museum, and Spirit Games Week will be filled with competitive fun at Ray Ash Park. We'll wrap up with Carnival Week, celebrating the end of summer with games and prizes. Join us for an unforgettable summer of learning and fun at One Strong! We would also like to express our gratitude to the Chicopee Cultural Council for providing us with the grant funding that has helped make this opportunity possible. Thank you for supporting our mission to provide families with a safe and enjoyable summer experience for their children.
Letter from the Director
Dear One Strong Family,
As we look ahead to the summer of 2024, I've been busy with meetings, tours, and planning exciting materials and activities for our program. I'm also involved with the Chicopee Cultural Council, which has given me the opportunity to work with the City of Chicopee Mayor's Office, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and Chicopee Public Schools on their upcoming April Clean Sweep event. We're excited to join forces and make a community-wide effort to clean up various neighborhood sections. I'm eager to form a One Strong Team to contribute to this important cause and will share more information in our next newsletter.
I apologize for the delay in releasing our Winter Newsletter in January and February. We are trying to improve our communication system to ensure you receive timely and regular updates. Additionally, we are expanding our team with more specialists and interns to assist with our media. The One Strong Foundation and the One Strong Token Project are progressing well, too, and I will update you about these initiatives soon.
Your support and participation are essential to our success and the positive impact we aim to have on the children in our community. I am grateful for our vibrant community at One Strong and your ongoing commitment to our vision.
Warm regards,
Charles Laboy
Owner/Director
One Strong Community Program
This blog and account are managed and organized by the Executive Director of the One Strong Community Program alongside contributors and associated members of the One Strong Foundation.
The One Strong Community Program is dedicated to assisting its members by delivering "creative programming," which includes events, resources, and opportunities that promote a community's educational, cultural, artistic, and economic growth and interests.
Explore the latest updates from the One Strong Community on our website.
Contributors
- Charles "Charlie" Laboy 🌟
Charles is a community leader and school-age educator from Chicopee, MA.
Chicopee Cultural Council Appreciation
Thank you, Chicopee Cultural Council, for being a vital part of our journey toward growth and creativity!