Next "Meeting" this Sunday, August 3rd

Don't forget this Sunday, August 3rd from 2:00-4:00 we are getting together again at City Park (weather permitting). If it is pouring rain--please head too Harmony Cafe instead.

Water, water everywhere...Kid's activity involves water (pouring, squirting), so dress them appropriately or be cool with  moderately wet kids on the way home.

I'd love to see some of you again who haven't come since the first meeting (don't be shy!). We have had new families each time but attendance has varied with everyone's busy summer schedules. It's rumored we may get to meet one family's newborn twins, plus, my  visiting sister and niece (2 years) from NYC will attend as an honorary Valued Family.

Parent's Night Out- Thanks to Alicia and Laura for a great "double date". We had fun, gang. Join us next time? Next Parent Night out is planned for October.

Spread the word about Valued Families There are TONS of "us" out there. From the Farmer's Market to Art in the Park I see all of these beautiful families. Join us!

Late July Updates

Parent's Night Out is planned for this Thursday, July 24th at Cy's Asian Bistro in Neenah--only if there is enough interest. So PLEASE contact me directly before Thursday if you plan on attending. If there is not enough interest we will reschedule for another time.

SAVE THE DATE- Wednesday, November 12th. Valued Families will be hosting it's first special event, a community and educator screening of the movie, It's Elementary with a panel discussion to follow. I will be in need of many helping hands!! If you are willing to volunteer to help with the planning, promotion, and/or hosting of the event, please contact me. I will be asking event volunteers to meet for a quick planning meeting in early September, date TBD. 

Reminder: Our next gathering is in a few weeks, Sunday, August 3rd. 

Spread the word!

FREE FLYERS!

Updated Valued Families flyers are available for posting in your area. I am happy to mail you a few to post in your local coffee houses, restaurants, doctor's offices, kid-friendly stores...wherever other families like ours are likely to see it. 

Mid-Summer Updates

Next meeting, Sunday August 3rd 2:00-4:00 PM 

City Park- weather permitting.

Valued Families News & Dates to Remember:

Volunteers needed to help plan a late- October event. Parent & Educator movie screening of the movies, “It’s Elementary” and “It’s STILL Elementary”. 

I will be forming a planning committee in the weeks to come to address logistics, costs, promotion and possible barriers.E-mail Lee at lsnodgrass@tds.net if you are willing to help.

Movie Summary Below:

It's Elementary takes cameras into classrooms across the U.S. to look at one of today's most controversial issues - whether and how gay issues should be discussed in schools. It features elementary and middle schools where (mainly heterosexual) teachers are challenging the prevailing political climate and its attempt to censor any dialogue in schools about gay people. Rather than focusing on the debate between adults, though, the film takes the point of view of the school children, starting as young as first grade. The results are surprising and, as the LA Reader says, "funny, touching, and fascinating." Third graders' jaws drop when they find out some of their favorite celebrities are gay; second graders react to a book about a girl who gets teased because she has two moms; fourth graders say it makes them "feel weird in your stomach" when other kids yell "faggot" on the playground and teachers don't do anything about it; eighth graders fire a barrage of poignant questions to the gay guest speakers who visit their social studies class; third graders passionately debate the current events issue of the day: should gays be allowed to get married?

It's STILL Elementary. This companion film follows up with some of the original students and teachers from It's Elementary and asks them how lessons about LGBT issues affected their lives - and the results are profound. The film also tells the fascinating history of why the original film was made, the infamous response it provoked from the conservative right, and the questions it raises for the national safe schools movement today. It's STILL Elementary is a call to action for parents and educators to continue working for safe, inclusive schools.

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Parent’s Night Out- Thursday July 24^th 6:30 PM at Cy’s Asian Bisto in Neenah. Please let me know  by July 22 if you plan on attending so I can let Cy’s know how large of a crowd to expect!

Valued Families Pool Day at Erb Park Pool in Appleton planned for Saturday, August 23^rd.  Very casual, no specific time. Come anytime between 1:30 and 4:00 if the weather is nice. Look for fellow VF families. Erb has a baby pool a middle pool and a large pool. Pool toys and inner tubes are welcome at Erb.