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Family Central: 3rd Annual Ladybug Picnic 2019
Come to a Ladybug Picnic and celebrate the beginning of summer!
PINE ISLAND – Family Central will host their 3rd Annual “Ladybug Picnic,” a family-friendly event on Friday, June 14, 2019 from 5 – 8pm at the Pine Island Town Park, 18 Kay Road, Pine Island, NY. (off County Route 1).
Bring your picnic basket and blanket and join us for this fun filled family event. Witness the joy and curiosity your child will experience when handfuls of Ladybugs are released into the park’s pollinator garden. Experts will be on hand to educate the children on the ladybugs’ important role in the environment. Local musician, Brian Corbin will be playing live music for all ages to enjoy.
Families will enjoy our arts and craft area with ladybug-themed projects. There is also an exciting ladybug hunt, just like an egg hunt but with painted ladybug rocks instead! For those kids who love full body exercise we will have an old-fashioned “onion sack” race and a jump rope contest.
Pine Island Town Park is a great little park where guests may also visit the Butterfly Garden and playground area. Bring a book to swap at the Little Free Library in the park. Parking and bathroom facilities are available. For information, contact FamilyCentralNY@gmail.com
A donation of $15 per family is suggested to support our local parenting workshops and Newborn Welcome Bags which are given to all babies born at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital. Learn more about us at: http://www.familycentralny.wordpress.com
Family Central is an all-volunteer parenting support network for parents and caregivers of children from birth through adolescence. We welcome donations through our partnership with Community2gether, a 501c3 quality-of-life organization in Warwick, NY since 1994.
May – June 2019 Events
Town Hall Talks Panel Discussion: Youth Marijuana Use and Underage Drinking in Warwick
Date: May 16, 6-7:30 pm
Location: Albert Wisner Public Library Community Room
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Partnering with Albert Wisner Public Library, the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition will host a panel discussion focused on youth marijuana use and underage drinking in our community. Professionals from different sectors of the community will speak on dangers, laws and policies, and prevention strategies on both topics. After the panel discussion, there will be time for questions and answers from community members. All are encouraged to attend! Click here to register
Transgender Kids- Real Stories
Date: Saturday, May 18 10am – Noon
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adolescents & Adults
Believing you were born the wrong gender can be intensely painful for anyone, but it’s especially tough for young children. Please join us for this documentary and share in the discussion that follows to learn about information and resources that can help you better understand your child and others in our community.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/content/family-central-transgender-kids-real-stories
Sunday, June 9th, 11:30AM––4PM, Parade at 1.30pm
Spend a prideful, family-friendly day at Orange County’s Warwick Valley Community Center, complete with brunch, a parade, live entertainment and more. More info at OCNY Pride Event Facebook Page
Our 3rd Annual Ladybug Picnic is Friday, June 14th, 5-8pm!
Come to a Ladybug Picnic and celebrate the beginning of summer!
PINE ISLAND – Family Central will host their 3rd Annual “Ladybug Picnic,” a family-friendly event on Friday, June 14, from 5 – 8pm at the Pine Island Town Park, 18 Kay Road, Pine Island, NY. (off County Route 1).
Bring your picnic basket and blanket and join us for this fun filled family event. Witness the joy and curiosity your child will experience when handfuls of Ladybugs are released into the park’s pollinator garden. Experts will be on hand to educate the children on the ladybugs’ important role in the environment. A local musician, will play popular tunes on his guitar for all to enjoy. We also encourage you to bring an instrument and create your own “band.”
Families will enjoy our arts and craft area with ladybug-themed projects. There is also an exciting ladybug hunt, just like an egg hunt but with painted ladybug rocks instead! For those kids who love full body exercise we will have an old-fashioned “onion sack” race and a jump rope contest.
Pine Island Town Park is a great little park where guests may also visit the Butterfly Garden and playground area. Bring a book to swap at the Little Free Library in the park. Parking and bathroom facilities are available. For information, contact FamilyCentralNY@gmail.com
A donation of $15 per family is suggested to support our local parenting workshops and Newborn Welcome Bags which are given to all babies born at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital. Learn more about us at: http://www.familycentralny.wordpress.com
Family Central is an all-volunteer parenting support network for parents and caregivers of children from birth through adolescence. We welcome donations through our partnership with Community 2000, a 501c3 quality-of-life organization in Warwick, NY since 1994.
Albert Wisner Public Library:
10th Anniversary Family Fun Walk
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019 – 9:00am to 10:30am
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
All ages!
Please join us for a family fun 3k walk – rain or shine! – beginning on the Library’s River Birch patio and looping through Veterans’ Memorial Park. All are welcome! We ask that children under age 12 be accompanied by an adult or older teen. Refreshments served at the end.
Spring 2019 Events
Hello Family Central Families and Friends!
April marks the start of National Stress Awareness Month! What are your plans?
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April, since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. Recent studies show that in the past six years there has been a tremendous spike in anxiety disorders, depression, and chemical use in young people, and according to neuropsychologist, William Stixrud all of these are stress-related disorders.
Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn’t being taken as seriously as physical health concerns. In addition to being a significant factor in mental health problems, it is also linked to heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems. Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn what steps we can take to reduce it for ourselves and those around us.
That is why this month Family Central has added to our message a series of links about understanding and coping with stress. We encourage everyone to make a plan to reduce stress and increase peace in your life.
Best Wishes for a Happy and Carefree Spring!!!!
- Kids Need a Sense of Control
- How Parental Stress Negatively Affects Kids
- Childhood Stress
- How to Deal with Family Stress
APRIL EVENTS
WV SEPTA (Special Ed PTA) Meeting
Apr 10 – 7PM, Special presentation by Jesse Saperstein – Invisible Disabilities
Suggested donation – $5
WV SEPTA Meeting held at the Dorothy C. Wilson Center
Visit website for details: https://wvsepta.weebly.com/
Building Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope
Thursday, April 11, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Film Screening and Discussion
Warwick Valley Middle School, Cafeteria, 225 West St., Warwick, NY 10990
For information call Georgianna Diopoulos, Principal 845-987-3100
About the film: The child may not remember, but the body remembers. Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. As the new documentary Resilience reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune. Resilience, however, also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education, and social welfare are using cutting-edge science and field-tested therapies to protect children from the insidious effects of toxic stress— and the dark legacy of a childhood that no child would choose.
Fueling Kids for Success with Celeste McAteer
Date: Tuesday, April 16 • 6:30 to 7:45pm
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adult
Join Celeste as she shares new ways of thinking about food. She will discuss how everyday choices of food and lifestyle habits impact children’s abilities to learn, behave, grow and thrive.
Celeste is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Health Coach. and is passionate about true health and wellness Her education has equipped her with cutting-edge knowledge in holistic nutrition and prevention.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/content/fueling-kids-success-celeste-mcateer
Warwick Playground Dreams: Volunteers needed April 22-28
It’s time to build the playground! Warwick Playground Dreams is seeking volunteers to help build the new playground at Stanley-Deming Park. The group needs 200 adult volunteers each day, from April 22-28. You don’t need special construction experience, but carpentry, artistic, and construction skills are a bonus. If you’re willing to help (and over age 18, please) they need you!
Volunteers will work in three shifts (8 a.m. – 12 noon; 12:30-4:30 p.m.; and 5-8:30 p.m.) There will be coffee and water all day, plus lunch and dinner.) You can volunteer for a single shift or as many as you like, but they suggest you sign up for a shift early in the week. It’s fun and rewarding, so you might want to come back for more. To volunteer, visit www.WarwickPlaygroundDreams.org.
MAY
Earth Fest Warwick
Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th, 2019
Stanley Deming Park, Warwick, NY
http://www.wickhamworks.org/earth-fest-warwick-2019.html
A celebration of re-use, repair, and re-creating including Too Good to Toss, the third-annual community swap, and Treecycle the fourth hands-on, family friendly, arts day using repurposed material.
Too Good To Toss: Warwick town & village residents may drop off gently used items, in good repair, from a list of acceptable goods, to the basketball court on Saturday, May 4th 10AM-4PM. The public is invited to shop for free on Sunday, May 5th, 10AM-4PM. List of Acceptable Goods here: http://www.wickhamworks.org/tgtt-acceptable-items-list.html
Treecycle: Saturday, May 4, 10AM-5PM. Hosted by local artists and makers, you’re welcome to join in the hands-on creative re-purposing. Events include an exhibition of tree sculptures made by local artists and youth groups, hands-on up-cycled craft demonstrations, Kids Take-apart Table and Build-a-Bot station, cardboard maze and miniature village, and a bike check-up clinic. There will be a local Makers Market selling environmentally friendly products, Sustainable Community information tables, and food vendors. Live music and dance. ARM-OF-THE-SEA PUPPET THEATER will perform a special show, Soil the Secret Life of Dirt at 3PM! This free show has been made possible by the Albert Wisner Public Library, the Town of Warwick, and Sustainable Warwick. No registration required. Bring Your Own Blanket!
Transgender Kids- Real Stories
Date: Saturday, May 18 10am – Noon
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adolescents & Adults
Believing you were born the wrong gender can be intensely painful for anyone, but it’s especially tough for young children. Please join us for this documentary and share in the discussion that follows to learn about information and resources that can help you better understand your child and others in our community.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/content/family-central-transgender-kids-real-stories
Happy New Year! Jan – Mar 2019 Events
Please mark your calendar for these upcoming community events:
EVENTS
Wed, Jan 30, 2019
Family Central presents “Fueling Kids for Success”
with Celeste McAteer
Date: Wed, Jan 30 • 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adult
This month we begin with a focus on the importance nutrition for healthy child development.Join Celeste as she shares new ways of thinking about food. She will discuss how everyday choices of food and lifestyle habits impacts children’s abilities to learn, behave, grow and thrive.
Celeste is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Health Coach. Her education has equipped her with cutting-edge knowledge in holistic nutrition and prevention. Celeste is also trained in Brain Gym, Balance and Vision Execises, Therapeutic Yoga, Reiki and Ayuveda.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/register.php?eventID=9330
Wed, Feb 13
WV SEPTA (Special Ed PTA) Meeting – 7PM
WV SEPTA Meeting held at the Dorothy C. Wilson Center
Visit website for details: https://wvsepta.weebly.com/
Sat, Feb 23
Family Central presents “Challenges and Solutions for Special Needs Children and Adolescents”
Date: Sat, Feb 23 • 10am to 12pm
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adult
Do you feel that your child experiences homework as “torture”? Are you concerned about your child’s self-esteem when they state theyfeel “different” or “lesser” than their siblings or peers? Does your child’s lower frustration tolerance result inmore disruptive behaviors that need to be stopped? Do you feel you have to “badger” school administrators for simple learning accommodations for your child? If you experience these or other struggles please join us for this timely program addressing children/adolescents with special needs stemming from learningdisabilities, ADD, and ADHD.
This workshop will provide a forum for parents of these children to share challenges, joys, and simple solutions that work. A PowerPoint presentation on homework help tips, maintaining self-esteem while facing challenges, and best practices for behavior management at home will be presented. Educator Anne Marie Ramos, who has had over 35 years working with children and adolescents with these challenges will invite participants to ask questions on any topic related to the care of their child.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/register.php?eventID=9326
Sun, Mar 10
Mom University
Sun, Mar 10 at Locust Grove Estate, 2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Buy Tickets: https://themomuniversity.com/tickets/
Warwick’s own, Susanne Meyer-Fitzsimmons is one of the speakers at this event. She will be talking about the emotional challenges of being a “popular kid,” and how we as parents can help our teens navigate those middle and high school years with intent, wisdom and compassion. There will be many other speakers, food, connection, education, inspiration. Take a look at the Mom U website.
Buy Tickets: https://themomuniversity.com/tickets/
Warwick’s own, Susanne Meyer-Fitzsimmons is one of the speakers at this event. She will be talking about the emotional challenges of being a “popular kid,” and how we as parents can help our teens navigate those middle and high school years with intent, wisdom and compassion. There will be many other speakers, food, connection, education, inspiration. Take a look at the Mom U website.
Mom University is an exclusive and engaging all-day event designed to motivate moms to master motherhood! Specially designed for Moms by Moms, this one-of-a-kind event will be packed with inspiring speakers, spa services, a Mom Marketplace, and more! Their mission is simple: to arm moms with practical solutions to everyday problems with the goal of making life easier for them and to provide Moms with a supportive space to relax, recharge, and learn how to thrive not just in motherhood, but in life. This year’s conference theme is “Living with Intention.” So, save the date and make a plan to PUT YOURSELF FIRST for a change!
Tues, Mar 12
WV SEPTA (Special Ed PTA) Meeting – 7PM
WV SEPTA Meeting held at the Dorothy C. Wilson Center
Visit website for details: https://wvsepta.weebly.com/
Sat, Mar 30
Living Relationally in Recovery with Jerry Sander
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2019 -10:00am to 12:00pm
Contact: Help Desk at 986-1047, ext. 3 or warref@rcls.org
Age Group: Adult
For the family members of those struggling with recovery from substance abuse, more than words are needed. Relational living in recovery demands regular use of skills that were most likely underdeveloped or never learned. Without these skills, the individual’s recovery runs the risk of replacing one form of self-absorption (addictive behaviors) with another form of self-absorption (“my recovery”). Drawing on the work of Terry Real and Pia Mellody, this workshop will offer specific take-home skills; role playing exercises will be used.
This workshop is recommended for those who have been in recovery for at least six months, have a sponsor, and are benefiting from an ongoing association with a supportive model. It is also recommended for family members (of any age) of the person in recovery.
Jerry Sander, LCSW, is a Warwick therapist with over three decades of experience. He specializes in relational life therapy.
Register Online: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/register.php?eventID=9555
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Butterfly Bags” – Bringing hope to children in foster care
For her Girl Scout Silver Award, 14 year old Amber V. of Warwick is putting together backpacks for children ages newborn – 18 years in foster care, so they don’t have to pack their things in garbage bags. She is collecting NEW backpacks, throw blankets, stuffed animals, books, coloring books and crayons, journals and pens, small tissue packs, clothing, pajamas and toothbrushes. *Update* – Collection location is Grace Lutheran Church in Greenwood Lake. For more information, contact ButterflyBagsForHope@gmail.com. Like us on Facebook @ButterflyBagsOfHope.
Family Central is looking for parents and volunteers to help our organization grow. If you are computer saavy, and can help with Social Media and e-newsletters we would love to hear from you! Do you have an idea for a workshop or a fundraising event? All are welcome to join us at our next advisory meeting. Email familycentralny@gmail.com for dates.
We are always in need of donations of yarn or monetary donations to continue our ongoing Newborn Welcome Bag initiative. Please visit our website to learn more about Family Central NY in Warwick.
Family Central Event: “Fueling Kids for Success” January 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Where: Albert Wisner Public Library, 1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
Presented by: Family Central
Cost: Free
Contact: Albert Wisner Library Help Desk: 986-1047 ext. 3
Registration Link: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org
Family Central Events: Oct – Dec 2018
Family Central is a grassroots movement based in Warwick, dedicated to safeguarding childhood and supporting family life. All programs given at the AWP Library. Register to attend a program: visit albertwisnerlibrary.org or call 986-1047 ext. 3
Natural Parenting Classes with Healthy Living Educator Anna Lopez (mindbodybabie.com)
Oct. 27 • 10am to noon
Creating a More Natural and Relaxed Lifestyle for Your Family from Birth
Learn how to address root causes of stress in your life and to help your children grow up in a more relaxed environment from day one. This presentation is for expectant parents and parents of children 0 – 2 years.
Nov. 19 • 10am to 11:30am
Comfort Through Food During Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
Learn how the right meals during these times (and how to prep them) can change your energy levels and health. This presentation is created for expectant parents.
Dec. 3 • 10am to 11:30am
Adopting a Healthier and More Eco-Sustainable Lifestyle:
Tips and Best Practices
Learn how we can affect positive change within ourselves, and in our own families. by taking a few extra steps. This presentation is for people of all ages.
Nov. 17 • 10am to noon
What to Know About Parental Controls & Keeping Your Kids Safe Online*
Have you talked with your kids about screen-time limits and responsible online behavior but find it tough to manage what they do when you’re not around? Learn what parents can do to minimize the harmful activities that digital devices allow young people to participate in, often without adult knowledge or supervision.
Join us for a discussion of the latest research, tips, and tools on what really keeps kids safe. Learn the best privacy settings available for computers and smartphones and the ins-and-outs of parental controls.
*PRESENTER: Don Robertson has worked in the IT industry for over 20 years. He currently manages internal solutions deployment for a global accounting firm. Don is the father of an independent 15 year old daughter who has been the inspiration for his research and experience with internet safety and family controls. Don and his wife Teresa have been residents of Warwick for over 12 years.
