Family Information
In order to create a cohesive community here at the Center, we encourage as much family involvement as possible. This involvement can take a wide variety of forms, from families taking their time at drop-off and pick-up to special events like pot-lucks to the Family Advisory Board.
The Family Advisory Board is great way for our community to gather. Families, the Director, the Parent Coordinator and a representative from each classroom meet monthly to discuss current events and issues pertinent to the Center. The Board serves a number of roles.
Frequently, the Board hosts an informational speaker on a topic families have expressed an interest in. In the past, we have had an occupational therapist talk about sensory integration, a researcher lead a discussion on children and name calling, a financial planner discuss planning for future educational expenses, and a Tufts Child Development professor give some insight into fantasy play.
The Board also fills an advisory role for Center administration. The vote of the Board is considered to be a significant factor when decisions impacting families are being made. FAB input is integral when the Director or University is considering changes in policy, physical environment, or Center population.
All fundraising done for the Center is headed by the Board. A variety of events happen throughout the year to raise funds for our Children's Memorial Scholarship Fund. Committees are appointed by the Board to oversee these events, and, with the help of the Parent Coordinator and Office Coordinator, families work hard to make a difference in the Center.
The Board is a great way to get an insight to what is happening in the Center each month. To make it possible for more families to attend, child care for the FAB meetings is provided in the Center by GTAs and work-study students, and dinner is served. We hope all families will be able to join us! To see more details about the function of the FAB, see our Handbook.
Special Days are a tradition at TEDCC! Special Days are a wonderful way of celebrating our children and their families. We explore, understand and celebrate the uniqueness of each child and family in the Center through a theme that changes from year to year and class to class. For instance, the Green Group has done a Special Days unit with a focus on music. The families were given a chance to talk about music that is important to their families--a favorite lullaby, an instrument a member of the family plays, or music from their culture. The Kindergarten has focused on favorite family stories, and the Red Group has talked about "jobs," or responsibilities, at home.
Families are always welcomed into the classroom, but during Special Days, families' input and participation are vital and very much appreciated. The classrooms are flexible in date and time, but strongly encourage a member of the Special Day child's family to attend the festivities. During that day, the child will help to plan Choices, and have a Group Time where the child and her family talk about what makes them unique. It's a time of great excitement, and great learning about family difference and similarities.
We have a number of special gatherings throughout the year for the whole community. Check out our Special Events page.