ODDFELLOWS PLAYHOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD TROUPES

Oddfellows Playhouse Troupes Program is a FREE arts-based after school program for neighborhood families. Our bus will provide pick-up and drop-off to most locations in the North End.

North End Junior Troupe: (10-14 years) Wednesdays and Fridays 4:30-5:45

North End Tiny Troupe: (5-9 years)Mondays and Fridays 4:30-5:45

To register for the North End Troupe or for more information- Contact Bobbye at Oddfellows 347-6143

Visit www.oddfellows.org for additional information, or simple call 860-347-6143.  Transportation is available to and from the Playhouse.                         

SCHOOLS SUPPORT COMMITTEE

The Schools Committee is a place where we can work together to make positive changes for North End families with in Middletown Schools. Come discuss any problems that you and your family may have with your school and the school experience with other families just like you.

As a committee we will:
• Create a place to share your experiences and find out what the education issues are for North End families
• Attend Middletown Board of Education Meetings to be sure we are up to date about BOE issues and show that we want to be involved with policy decisions
• Support local allies with in the schools, including teachers, community advocates, and Board of Education members who advocate for positive policies for North End parents
• Work to find real solutions to these issues and advocate for ourselves, our families, and our neighborhood so necessary changes are made and our solution can be successful
• Join and support your school’s PTA.

If you are interested in better education and better school experiences for North End families, please sign up for this committee. For more information or to sign up, call the NEAT office at 346-4845 or email Alicia at alicia.mcavay@neatmiddletown.or

MENTORING PROGRAM

NEAT's Mentoring program is up and running again and we have spaces for new kids to join the program.  If you have a child ages 7-13, please give me a call.  Your child would meet with her/her mentee for one hour a week.  This program has been amazing for many North End kids and students alike.  Please call NEAT if you're interested.  346-4845

Moody PTA Meeting Recap

A group of Moody parents and grandparents from NEAT's new Schools Committee attended the school's first PTA on Tuesday night. We found many opportunities for Moody families to be involved, including baking something for the election day bake sale and volunteering at the fall book fair in October. Volunteer shifts can be as short as two hours and if there is interest, NEAT School's Committee could organize a group to do it together. The PTA is working hard to make sure Moody students can go on field trips, have extra supplies in the classroom, and some extra activities to make the year more fun. It would be great for us to help out in anyway we can.

Parents also brought up concerns about the lack of communication about the new lunch policy and no introduction letter from the new principal. Moody parents should expect two letters home addressing these things very soon.

We have also heard many different concerns about the buses. NEAT has requested a copy of the district bus policy and will have it available on this blog and at our office. If you have concerns, please look at the policy. We can discuss any further concerns at the Schools Committee meetings, the first Wednesday of each month.

Thanks to those people who came to the meeting. It was great representation from the North End.