April Welcome Center Newsletter

The Arlington Public Schools (APS) Welcome Center serves as a dedicated resource hub, providing support to students and families as they navigate the school system. Whether you're new to the district or need assistance, we're here to help!

Services Offered:

• Enrollment Support – Assistance with registration, residency verification, and school placement.
• Family Resources & Engagement – Guidance on school policies, district programs, and ways to get involved
• Basic Needs Assistance – Support with accessing food, clothing, housing, and other essential services.
• Language Support – Interpretation and translation services for multilingual families.

Need help? Please complete the APS Family Support Request Form, and a team member will follow up with you!

Support the APS Welcome Center- The APS Welcome Center strives to provide families with essential resources, and your support can make a difference! If you'd like to contribute, consider donating through our Amazon Wish List.

Contact Information:

📧 Email: welcomecenter@arlington.k12.ma.us
📞 Phone: 781-316-3332
📍 Address: 14 Mill Brook Drive, Arlington, MA
🕘 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Welcome Center Closed: April 21-25

Thank you for supporting our mission to create a welcoming and inclusive school community!

Here are some resources and things to do with your family during the break

Arlington EATS will be offering free pre-packed bags of groceries to any family with kids in Arlington schools who could use extra food support over April break. Vacation lunch bags packed with with nutritious, easy to prepare, kid-friendly foods will be available to pick up on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18 at Arlington EATS, 117 Broadway. Sign up here by April 14 or call 339-707-6757 ext. 6 to find out more.

Visit Arlington EATS at arlingtoneats.org to learn more about getting help with food, how to volunteer, and other ways to address food insecurity in Arlington.

The Highland Street Foundation partners with museums, parks, and zoos to offer free admission for families during April Vacation! Check their facebook page and instagram for an updated schedule of events!

Join Arlington Community Education for one of their April VacationFun! Programs!

When: Tuesday–Friday, April 22–25, 2025

Time: Full- and half-day classes are available from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. AM classes run 9:00 am–12:00 pm; PM classes run 12:30–3:30 pm.

Location: Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Avenue.

Age: VacationFun! serves students in grades K-8

Classes include:

• Creative, hands-on arts and crafts classes including, painting, collage, printmaking, and clay
• STEM programs in programming, electronics, architecture, Minecraft, and movie making
• High-energy sports and games, such as parkour and karate
• Outdoor hiking adventures

Register Here!

Fresh air and family fun are the perfect combination for your April Vacation Week plans. Visit your Massachusetts State Parks and enjoy a fantastic array of family friendly programs and experiences for all ages. Find a list of Guided Programs, Visitor Center Special Exhibits, and ongoing Resources here.

Information about available support to address APS family needs

We support families with resources such as clothing, school supplies, toiletries, winter clothing, and much more! Let us know what you need through the APS Family Support Request Form and we'll have it ready for you to pick up.

The Family Support Request Form is designed to give families an avenue to request support and helps the District and schools understand the needs and concerns of families in order to provide the most effective support and resources. Once you complete this form we will share your responses with the family engagement department and/or school social workers or counselors to support your child(ren)/ family.

Struggling to meet basic needs such as housing, food, or employment? A social worker is available to answer questions about social services in and around Arlington.

Date and time: April 14 at11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Robbins Library

The Attorney General’s Office recently released a family-friendly flyer about immigrant students’ right to attend school. The flyer is also available in Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, and Portuguese. Other resources from the Attorney General’s Office include a flyer for K-12 schools on protecting students and their information, guidance about K-12 schools’ obligations to protect students and their information, and, in partnership with the state Office for Refugees and Immigrants, Know Your Students’ Rights (download) slides from a presentation for K-12 public schools. Additional information for immigrants is also available on the Attorney General’s website.

Another resource for districts is the Guidance for School Committees and Districts Upholding the Rights of Immigrant Students to Enroll in School, which the Executive Office of Education, DESE, and the Attorney General’s Office previously issued.

Too Good To Go is a free mobile app designed to combat food waste by connecting customers with restaurants and stores that have surplus food. These establishments put good food they were unable to sell in "mystery bags" that customers can purchase at one third of the regular price, essentially rescuing food that would otherwise be thrown away.

There's still time to sign up for Arlington Community Education's ACE Kids after-school enrichment program. Most classes begin the week of April 7 and run for 60-90 minutes once a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Register Now!

Spring Term registration is now open. View the complete 2025 spring catalog here.

It's a great time to stop by the Fox Branch Seed Library and score some seeds to start your spring planting season. This is a free resource for the community to enjoy. Come get some peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and much more!

Saturday, April 5 - District Hiring Fair at Arlington High School

Sunday, April 13-20, Passover/Pesach, Jewish

April 18 - Good Friday NO SCHOOL

April 19th-21st - Patriot's day weekend

Sunday, April 20 - Easter, Christian

April 21st- 25th - APRIL VACATION

April 22nd - Earth Day

Resources and opportunities for families to engage in continued learning

Join Ottoson Middle School staff and parents for a panel discussion on high impact strategies to support homework completion at home while balancing busy schedules.

Date and time: 5:30pm

Location: Ottoson Middle School

Sign up here: https://loom.ly/h6oi73g

Questions? Email Hilary Dawson at hdawson@arlington.k12.ma.us.

Free program in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program (SMCEP) &

Arlington Community Education (ACE)

When: Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m; Beginning April 15, 2025 (8 weeks)

Where: Gibbs School, 41 Foster Street, Arlington (near Mass Ave)

Learn:

• Answers to civics question
• How to prepare for reading and writing test

Requirements:

• Basic level of English
• Green card for 5 years or married to American citizen and green card for 3 years

Register: Citizenship Exam Prep Class at www.arlingtoncommunityed.org

Events, information, and resources supporting parents and caregivers

Take the Arlington SEPAC Parent/Caregiver Feedback Survey!

We're partnering with Arlington’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) to better support students and families. If you're a parent or caregiver of a student with a disability or additional support needs, we want to hear from you! Your responses will help the SEPAC advise on the best support and services for all students. Thank you for sharing your experience!

📝 The survey takes about 10 minutes. More details, including FAQs, are available here.

➡️ Take the Survey 🔗

Family Access Early Literacy Services Community Connections offers free resources for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers in Arlington and the surrounding communities. Join one of their Spring Learn and Play Groups- Virtual and in-person options available! More information available on their website here!

At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

Date and Time: Thursday evenings on zoom, 7:30 - 8:30 PM

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/g6NrdihY75

The Concord Center offers free parent workshops throughout the school year, each focused on practical skills to support child and adolescent mental health. Their next workshop, Coping Ahead for Summer, will help parents prepare their kids for the routine changes that come with summer.

This workshop is for:

• Parents of children who struggle with decreased structure and/or change of routine
• Parents hoping to make a plan for effective coping during the summer months
• Parents interested in learning skills to help their kids navigate change of routine

Date and Time: The workshop will occur via Microsoft Teams at 12pm on April 2nd. **You will receive a link the day before or the day of the workshop.

Register here

The Arlington Public Schools counseling team is excited to offer another parent workshop series on the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. SPACE is designed for families who find themselves struggling to navigate and support their child's anxiety. The next round of workshops will take place in April.

Do you have a child struggling with anxiety? Do you find yourself modifying daily routines, avoiding certain places or activities, or doing things for your child to prevent their distress? If yes, this workshop might be a great fit for you!

Dates and Times: April 1st & 8th from 7-8:30 pm

Location: AHS (exact location will be determined based on numbers)

New parent/caregiver support group that Amy Hoff, MA will be offering starting in February.

Our purpose: This small therapeutic group will meet weekly to share and cultivate connections. We will build practical skills that will increase confidence in our ability to empathize with our children, respond to behaviors, and solve problems with them collaboratively.

Our work: Sessions will include 10-15 minutes of interactive presentation about an area of common concern or a specific skill, followed by time to share and work through challenges and reflect on successes. Members are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings.

Date: The group will meet on Monday evenings from 6-7:15pm, from February 24 to April 21

Location: In person at the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (670R Mass. Ave. Arlington)

Target Audience: Parents and caregivers of kids ages 10-18.

Most insurance accepted; grant funding available. Light snacks and beverages provided

Free events happening in the community

When: Saturday, April 5th
Where: Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA

Looking for an exciting opportunity to join our team? Save the date for an APS Hiring Fair on Saturday, April 5th at Arlington High School. HR will be in the main lobby to provide information and answer any questions.

Come learn about available roles and meet with our team!

A free, fun family event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. There will be Kids Crafts, Colonial Music & Dancing, Arlington 250 Exhibits & Event Information, a Colonial Trivia Game, a Battle of Menotomy Lecture, a Selfie Station with William Dawes, and a Free Ice Cream Sundae Bar.

Date and Time: Sunday April 6, 2025 at 11:00 – 2:00 PM

Location: Capitol Theatre, 204 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474

The April salon theme is Poetry. Featured authors are JP Legarte, Gilmore Tamny, and Sam Witt. It’s also the Salon’s 10th anniversary! The Arlington Author Salon is a free reading with a twist: each author’s presentation includes something special to tickle the senses. Music, paintings, photographs and more! Let yourself be transported with an immersive, literary experience.

Date and Time: Thu, Apr 10 @ 7:30 pm

Location: Kickstand Cafe, 594 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA 02474

Dates: Sunday, April 12-Monday, April 21

Arlington’s diverse cuisine, representing all corners of the world, will be on display during Arlington Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will feature culinary specials and entertainment. View the full list of participating restaurants at https://arlingtonrestaurantweek.com.

ArtsArlington has invited the fber artists of Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild (PSSMQG) to share their powerful quilt blocks on Patriots Day Weekend. They honor the legacy of African American quilting by celebrating Harriett Powers (1837–1910), a Black quilter and folk artist born enslaved in Madison County, Georgia. PSSMQG has faithfully recreated Powers’ “Pictorial Quilt” in a modern context, using their own vibrant fabrics and contemporary sensibilities.

Dates and Times: Opening Reception with the artists on Thursday, April 17, 6 to 8 pm; On view on Friday April 18th 2-8pm (coinciding with the stitching bee and drum circle at Mystic Open studios) and Saturday April 19, 11am-4pm

Location: Hosted by Mystic Open Studios at 785 Mass Avenue, Arlington, MA

On April 19, the actual first day of the American Revolution, we celebrate with food and craft beverages the passage of Paul Revere and William Dawes through present-day Arlington to warn of advance of British troops to suppress the colonial rebellion. This indoor family friendly beer hall providing arts and crafts for children, live music and games. Food and drinks provided by local businesses.

Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 11:30 am - 4:30 pm

Location: Arlington Town Hall; 730 Mass Ave ARLINGTON, MA 02476

Learn about the history of the Jason Russel house and its role in the momentous events of April 19, 1775, when the retreating British Regulars clashed with local minutemen in the Battle of Menotomy. The Jason Russell House was the scene of some of the deadliest fighting of the day.

Date and Time: April 19 and 21 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: The Jason Russel House

The Town of Arlington will be joined by the Menotomy Minuteman and participants from many historical reenactment groups to reenact the Battle of Menotomy: the bloodiest battle on the first day of the American revolution. Beginning at Mass Ave and Grove Street in Arlington, this ‘running’ battle will stretch nearly one mile of Mass Ave, ending at Mystic St. Street. Spectators will watch several significant battle engagements from the northern side of Mass Ave. Watch some of last year's reenactment here: Video: 2024 Battle of Menotomy

Date and Time: Sunday, April 20th at 2 pm

Location: Massachusetts Avenue and The Jason Russel House at 7 Jason Street Arlington, MA 02476:

Follow in the footsteps of the midnight riders who carried the call to arms. Meet in front of Arlington Town Hall to greet the Paul Revere. Kids crafts and refreshments.

Date and Time: April 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am

Location: Arlington Town Hall

EcoFest is a time of learning, volunteering, and celebrating our planet! Check out the town website for updates on exciting EcoFest happenings in 2025.

Tuesday, April 22 - 55th Anniversary of Earth Day

Friday, April 25 - Arbor Day

Saturday, April 26

• EcoFest Summit at Town Hall 10 AM- 2 PM: Growing Our Sustainable and Resilient Community
• Park Clean Up with Friends of Spy Pond Park- New volunteers invited!

Sunday, April 27

• Arlington Community Orchard celebration

Support Arlington’s libraries by purchasing children’s and teen books, movies, and music at the Sale. There will be craft activities to keep children occupied as parents search for books. Come browse all the wonderful picture books, early readers, chapter books, books for teens, puzzles and games, and more! Lots of great books for inexpensive prices – children’s hardcovers for $1.00 and paperbacks for 50 cents.. See you at the Sale!

Date and Time: April 26 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Robbins Library Community Room; 700 Massachusetts Avenue Arlington, MA 02476

Accessing Arlington’s many community resources is now easier than ever! Check out our new spreadsheet to find local food support, recreation, affordable housing, english classes, childcare, mental health resources and much more

is annually updated guide showcasing the importance of participating in your child's educational journey, partnering with your child’s school, the many ways you can engage with the district.

It contains information about:

- Family- School partnerships at home, at school, and within the community

- Ways to stay connected

- Parent Teacher Organizations, School Councils, and special interest groups

- Opportunities to volunteer and participate at school

- Upcoming events in the district

and much more!

The APS Before School Breakfast Club is an expanded morning care and breakfast program available for all students K-12. To learn more about the program view the information sheet here. If you would like your child(ren) to participate in the program, please complete this form for each child. Please check in with your child's school on programming start dates.

How to communicate with the Welcome Center

Keep up with district news, events, and celebrations by following our social accounts!

Follow us on:

• Facebook: ArlingtonMASchools

• Instagram: @arlingtonmaps

• LinkedIn: Arlington Public Schools

• X (Formerly Twitter) @ArlingtonMAPS

The School News app by Edlio is an activity feed for alerts, news, and events from APS. It’s a simple way to view the school news feeds and calendars. The app is free to download to your iOS or Android phone and quick to set up:

• Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for “School News by Edlio” to install.
• Open the app and search for Arlington Public Schools; tap “Add School.”
• Enable push notification by going to the Alerts tab and tapping “Enable Notifications.”

All of the news and events posted to our website are posted on the app for easy access.