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Enriching our classrooms...
Two King Street Center 9th graders, Lule & Angelus, have been hired to work as Teaching Apprentices in our Pre-School program thanks to a Strengthening Families grant from Vermont's Department of Children and Families.
Their daily presence in the classroom is a such a win-win for the center. Teens are learning best practices from our licensed professional teachers (and adding a healthy paycheck their Kids' Lemonade bank accounts). Pre-schoolers adore the burst of youthful enthusiasm in the classroom following naptime. We all appreciate creating a more diverse staff to better reflect the richness of the King Street Center community.
To me, this is a wonderful gift, especially during this busy holiday season. Thank you, Vermont!
Vicky Smith
Executive Director, the King Street Center
P.S. Each day in December, our walk to the post office box is one filled with both overwhelming appreciation but tinged with anxiety. Funds from the annual appeal stretch throughout the year to provide warm meals, art supplies, bus trips to the tennis courts, and of course, to pay our hard-working staff and keep the lights on.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful giving as we, together, strive to support children and families in our community.
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Thank you ...
Year-round, community members often keep King Street in mind as they chose to do group volunteer work, drop off extra supplies and special treats. On behalf of our families, we are especially grateful for the abundant generosity inspired by the holiday season! To name a few, we celebrate the arrival of recorded books from KPMG, toys from WowToyz, Cloud 9 cupcakes, candy-stuffed gloves put together by the staff of VHFA, burrito proceeds from Boloco, wish list items collected by CVU students, cozy mittens & hats from Minuteman Press, books for at-home libraries donated through Fletcher Free Library, and toothbrushes, toothpaste & school  supplies from First Church. UVM Continuing Education contributed socks & mittens. We so appreciate contributions from many individuals and families as well! On Thursday afternoon, many of these goodies will be collected in Northfield Savings Bank totes to bring good cheer over the winter break. |
Fueled Diligence...
King Street Center is thrilled to be able to offer Vermont Department of Education sanctioned Supplemental Educational Services to students seeking intensive academic support. Nineteen children break into small groups each week for three hours per week (one group elected to meet four hours per week) for homework, literacy and math support. Now, nourished by dinner provided by Burlington High School Food Service Department, these students are becoming more productive than ever - working hard to catch up to grade level. |
4th Annual Dodgeball Tourney!
King Street Teens work hard - at school, at home and here at the center. Sometimes they need to blow off a little steam... That's when the 4th Annual Dodgeball Tournament comes in! As all proper hosts should, these King Streeters cook up a storm to offer their guests a warm meal before pummeling them in the gym. Thanks, Chill staff, for being our willing opponents. |
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Volunteer Honor Roll
 With the calendar year coming to an end, we want to take an opportunity to thank all those volunteers who consistently spend time here at King Street Center (as opposed to mentors who provide support to children out in the community). These individuals, and their passion for children, make our programs work.
A heartfelt thanks to:
Jeanne Goldhaber UVM EDEC 1 Introduction to Early Education: Katie Swanson, Gabby Roberts, Alissa Kossar, Sara Riordan, Chloe Feller; Afterschool Volunteers: Andrew Richards, Ryan Hurd, Anna Judge, Emma Cook, Haley Bliss, Erik Giard-Chase, Mikaela Gobeille, Catherine Myers, Elizabeth Eldridge, Michelle Asch, Ella Ryan, Julie Montera, Becca Goldstein, Anne Marie Santos; Teen Futures/Evening Homework: Brian Vedder; Professor Alan Tinkler EDSC 215: Reading in the Content Area: Laura Fletcher, Jarred Landry, Leah Bauder, Ryan Stredny, Richie O'Halloran, Amit Saini; Each One Reach One Volunteers: Athena Letourneau, Kathy Kocherlakota, Jill Wilkens, Hannah Jensen, Makenzy Smith, Veronica Beer, Meg Ashman, Derrick McVicker, Peter Kreisel, Rama Kocherlakota, Ben Krisher, David Binch, Cody Fialis, Josie Lisains, Rebecca Reid, Ayra Abdo, Kate Hennes, Rosie Czech, David Borocz-Johnson, Allison Bevel
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Buddy Block Mentors - please read! Each month, mentors in the Junior Senior Buddy Program can reference this e-news as a resource for announcements, special mentoring events, trainings and workshops.
This month, we celebrate lots of new matches. Welcome! Ann Twitchell and John Vibber - Barni
Jessica Avison - Hawa
Beth Lavallee - Andora
David Grist - Gonzalaiz Lauren Fereshetian - Lisa Connie Curtin and Sasha Tenenbaum-Lane - Glenna
A lovely note from new mentors, John & Ann: "Oh, we had a wonderful time with Barni. She's delightful! Barni gave us the tour of the building and then we read books and played Candyland on the floor. Great timing to have the holiday dinner afterwards and be able to meet her mother, the siblings, and family friends. We'll keep it simple the first times and get to know each other. John and I keep wondering why we didn't start this 11 years ago when we first met.Thanks for arranging this great experience for us."
Please mark your calendar!
January is National Mentoring Month
Wednesday, January 11, 12:15 - 1:15
King Street Center is kicking off a brown-bag lunch series where mentors can come and share creative ideas of activities to do with mentees, get advice on challenges and celebrate successes together. Please join us at the center the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 12:15. King Street Center will supply beverages & dessert.
Wednesday, January 18, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Please join mentors from around the county at the Mobius "Thank you Mentor Day" Breakfast at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington with keynote speaker, Chief of Police Michael Schirling. Please contact Mobius to rsvp.
Please find the full Mobius activity calendar here.
Don't forget! The Edge on Eastwood Drive in South Burlington holds tennis court time for King Street Center mentors & mentees to hit together. Call 802-862-6736 or email Julie in advance make reservations.
Available: Mon & Weds at 8 p.m.
Fri at 6 p.m.
Saturday at 1 & 5 p.m.
Sunday at 2, 4, 5, & 6 p.m.
As always, if you're looking for unique events and outing ideas, find & go seek and the Kids VT calendars are a great resource.
Don't forget to use your Mobius Mentor Discount Card! Wow! Enjoy 20% off at Boloco and go check out an exhibit at the Fleming Museum for free!
Not a Senior Buddy? Intrigued? We are always looking for strong mentors and welcome a conversation to get you thinking... please contact gabriella@kingstreetcenter.org |
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Dates to Note:
Friday, December 23 thru Monday, January 2
King Street Center Pre-School, Afterschool and Teen programs will be closed.
December 26, January 2
Administrative Offices closed.
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Proud partner �
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