Welcome to No Name Calling Week! That’s what’s going on this week in the Edgartown School. Meghan Brown and I, with the help of many of my students, created a giant contract for the students and staff to sign, promising that at least for this week, we promise to not call anyone bad names, and to put a stop to bullying wherever we can. We also are striving to be extra-nice this week. Students created posters, some wrote essays about the subject, and we purchased 500 buttons to celebrate the event. Edgartown sixth grader Jayden Coyle was the winner of the button design contest, so it is his artwork on the buttons. Every student and staff member will get a pin to wear proudly all week, showing that they want to put an end to name-calling and bullying!
The Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary welcomes 3- to 5-year-old kids to search for signs of winter every other Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 starting on Jan. 21. Together they will welcome the quiet, cold weather through stories, crafts, walks, live animal presentations, and more. Each session is $6 for members and $9 for nonmembers, or $25 for all five sessions for members, $40 for nonmembers.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has shared numerous upcoming events. Connect to End Violence invites you to enjoy an afternoon of selecting new, gently used clothes and tasty hors d’oeuvres at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, Jan. 23. There will be a great selection of free, gently used clothing for all ages, including shirts, hats, outerwear, and shoes. Hosted by the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard. Contact Jennifer Neary at 774-549-9667 for more details.
You can also go to the MVCS Thrift Shop on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 2 to 4 to make “A Spot for Spot, and Kitty Too” using an old worn-out sweater to make a cat or dog bed. Sign up for the “Make A Pet Bed” class at M.V. Community Services Thrift Shop, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2 to 4 pm. A materials fee of $5 includes everything you will need to make this wonderful bed.
And finally, head over to the Family Center at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 27, to attend Partners in Parenting, a monthly opportunity for parenting partners to meet other couples with young children and share the rewards and challenges of raising young children. The sessions are facilitated by Marney Toole. This month, special guest Jeannie Hay will share strategies for strengthening family communication. Contact Marney Toole at 508-693-7900, ext. 283, for more details.
As you may know, Hospitality Homes, the program set up by local clergy to open the churches as temporary housing for the homeless of Martha’s Vineyard, began earlier this month. They have some wonderful volunteers helping, and while there haven’t been many people utilizing the space, word is spreading, and the churches will be available throughout the winter. There has been one change in the scheduling, however, and the current schedule is as follows: On Monday and Thursday nights, the Federated Church at 45 South Summer Street in Edgartown will be open. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 34 North Summer Street in Edgartown will be open. The hours are from 7 pm until 7 am, and the churches are available to anyone who is homeless, out of heating fuel, or just needs a warm place to stay.
Happy birthday wishes go out to Kelly Sullivan, the Edgartown School’s music teacher and my friend, who celebrates on Friday. I hope you have a great birthday and weekend, because we all know that when your birthday falls on a Friday, you’re supposed to get spoiled all weekend!
We must be in the January doldrums; there’s not a lot of news to be had. Feel free to share your joys and blessings, or anything else you think is newsworthy. I’m always happy to share. Have a great week. Remember to be extra-nice and join the Edgartown School with No Name Calling Week!