June Newsletter

What an incredible month May has been! We packed it full of exciting activities, new programs, and unforgettable moments.

We kicked off both a Boys Group and a Girls Group, giving our youth a chance to build friendships, share experiences, and support one another in fun and meaningful ways.

Our partnership with HONK brought the joy of music alive as kids experimented with a wide variety of instruments. From drums to brass to unique sound makers, they learned how to create rhythm and work together as a band.

We also explored STEM in action with creative projects like building balloon-powered cars—a hands-on way to learn about motion, air pressure, and design thinking. It was a blast seeing their ideas come to life!

Plus, our Nutrition Club with Daffe has been a delicious and educational experience! Kids learned about healthy eating habits, tried new foods, and had open conversations about how nutrition impacts their energy, mood, and overall wellness.

Another big hit this month was parkour, where students learned how to jump, climb, and move with confidence through physical challenges. It was a great way to build strength, coordination, and courage. Our Minecraft Club also continued to be a favorite, with kids working together to build, explore, and let their imaginations run wild in a digital world that promotes teamwork and creativity.

Whether kids were expressing themselves through music, inventing with science, or leaping into movement with parkour, May was packed with growth and laughter. We can’t wait to see what new adventures June will bring!

This month we are excited to announce our Kid and Staff nominees: Laura and Victoria!

Laura: Laura has wowed us this month with her creative menus and fun activities like "Eat It or Yeet It" and balloon-powered cars! Her unique ideas bring energy and excitement to the program, and she's always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed. We’re so grateful for her passion and positivity!

Victoria: Victoria continues to shine as a responsible and caring leader. She starts her homework right away, helps her peers, and is always ready to lend support with a smile. We love having her positive presence in our program!

Thank you, Laura and Victoria, for your hard work, dedication, and constant willingness to help and support everyone this month!

New month, new fun activities!

Every day of the week, we create lesson plans according to our daily themes:

Movement/Mindfulness Monday: Activities to get the body moving, whether it's yoga and connecting with their minds, playing kickball, or a game of capture the flag.

STEAM Tuesday & Thursday: Science, math, technology, arts and crafts, oh my! These activities focus on creativity and building.

Service Learning Wednesday: Activities focused on giving back to our community, whether it's making a card for the elderly or picking up trash in our neighborhood!

Fun Friday: Activities based on all things fun! The activities range from cooking and baking to playing at the park.

This month has been a long but fast one! Starting the month out with Brazilian Martial Arts with Marcello, training and learning with him has been a workout for sure but totally worth it. We also had our annual fundraiser and Londyn was our Raising Star this year here at the MELC, we are so proud of her and will be missing her when she transitions to the MLC this summer. At the start of the month we also fished up our group leader Isaiah's Mini Soccer league, where a few of our soccer stars won a medal for finishing on top of the tournament.

Which leads into the fun new choices we had this month like; Woodworking club where they build a working bird house and painted some wood rounds, Scrap booking club and Pokemon trainers club. We are so excited because summer is only a few weeks away and I heard it is jam packed with beaches and field trips galore! We will miss some of our classmates who will transition to the big mystic this summer but we are excited to make new memories with the younger kids coming in as well! Can't wait for this month and we'll see everyone on the Surf Side!

Big Congratulations to this months Staff and Kid Super Stars: Anthony & Jinell

Anthony: Anthony has been working hard this month in the educational and behavioral department. He was tasked by some of the staff to make a positive change in behavior towards staff. He has 100 percent achieved that goal this month and we are so proud. He has also challenged himself with reading books that he might not be able to read first, but he kept on trying and trying until he had got it. And that is a milestone in itself.

Jinell: Jinell is one of our newer junior staff and it feels like she has been working at the MELC for YEARSSSS! She is always willing to step up to the plate with whatever comes her way. Jinell is always ready to help a kid with homework or play a game of uno. She is kind and friendly to everyone at the MELC and we are happy that she works with us.

New month, new fun activities!

Every day of the week, we create lesson plans according to our daily themes:

Movement/Mindfulness Monday: Activities to get the body moving, whether it's yoga and connecting with their minds, playing kickball, or a game of capture the flag.

STEAM Tuesday & Thursday: Science, math, technology, arts and crafts, oh my! These activities focus on creativity and building.

Service Learning Wednesday: Activities focused on giving back to our community, whether it's making a card for the elderly or picking up trash in our neighborhood!

Fun Friday: Activities based on all things fun! The activities range from cooking and baking to playing at the park.

As May came to a close, so did our amazing Night Groups—and while it was a little bittersweet, it only means we’re even more excited for next year!

This session was packed with laughter, learning, and connection. From hands-on activities and creative projects to tasty snacks and even a few exciting field trips, the kids made memories that will last well beyond the school year. Each night brought something new—whether it was games, group discussions, fun nights, or team-building challenges, there was always something fun to look forward to.

The friendships that formed, the confidence that grew, and the joy we shared made this Night Groups session truly special. We’re so proud of all the kids for showing up, being themselves, and making the most of every evening.

Thank you to everyone who made Night Groups a success—we can’t wait to bring back even more fun next year!

June is here, and that means so many yummy fruits and veggies are in season — it’s the perfect time to add some fresh flavor to your summer meals! We’ve been talking with the kids about trying new things, and what better way than with food that’s colorful, tasty, and good for you?

This month, keep an eye out for sweet strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and raspberries — they make great snacks or fun toppings for breakfast. We’re also seeing lots of fresh veggies like cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, and bell peppers. These are awesome for salads, wraps, or just crunching on with some dip!

We love seeing our students explore new things, and food is such a fun place to start. Happy snacking and happy summer!

Happy Birthday to our Kids!

Lighston - 6/4

Zaydian- 6-6

J - 6/14

Miguel - 6/20

Janiah - 6/27

Happy Birthday to our Staff!

Linda K. - 6/30

Holidays

Pride Month - 6/1- 6/30

Fathers Day - 6/15

Juneteenth - 6/19

The MLC & MELC will be open as early as 1:00 pm:

• Somerville Public Schools: Every Wednesday
• Prospect Hill Academy: Every Wednesday
• Medford Public Schools: June 16th, 17th, 18th
• Stoneham Public Schools: June 17th

Thank you for understanding that the MLC & MELC will be closed. We appreciate your consideration during our planned closing on the following days:

Friday June 6th - Staff P/D

Wednesday June 18th - Staff P/D

Thursday June 19th - Juneteenth

Friday June 20th - Mystic closure

MLC & MELC will be open for enrolled youth from 7:30am-5:30pm for the following days:

June 23rd- August 26th Summer Vacation

Our Parent Meeting will be on Monday, June 9th

• Meetings are on the second Monday of the month unless stated otherwise.
• Parents are responsible for arriving at 5:30 pm, eating family dinner together in the community room, and signing them back in for childcare during the meeting.
• Parent Meetings time is 6:00-7:30pm.

PIP Committee meeting will be on Monday, June 23th , from 5:30- 6:30 pm at the Mystic Learning Center.

• Big City Greens The Movie: Spacecation
• Aladdin
• Elio in theaters

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to Mystic Learning Center! Her visit was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the work we do every day to support, inspire, and uplift young people and families in our community.

Auditor DiZoglio took the time to connect with our youth, engage with our dedicated staff, and witness firsthand the passion and energy that fuels our programs. From creative projects and learning activities to community-building efforts, she saw the heart of what makes Mystic Learning Center a special place. We’re incredibly grateful for her visit and her interest in the voices and experiences of those we serve. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of community collaboration and the importance of being seen and heard by our leaders.Thank you, Auditor DiZoglio, for recognizing the value of youth development and community empowerment. We hope this visit is just the beginning of many more conversations and partnerships to come.

As of January, MLC and MELC have openings for school-age children (youth ages 5 in kindergarten through 13). Give us a call (617-623-0110) or send an email (info@mysticlearningcenter.org) if you have any questions or are interested in enrolling your child(ren).

We're licensed by Massachusetts to provide child care for youth between the ages of 2.9 -13 years old. Youth with special needs can attend up to age 16. Click the link below for more info.

** At the moment we aren't accepting children under 5 due to not having a Lead Preschool teacher.

The Human Service Division of the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services is now available to take online referrals for services through a new online contact form. Referrals may be completed by individuals directly seeking services, parents or guardians, service providers, or community partners.

The services provided are available at no cost to Somerville residents of all ages and include:

• Supportive counseling for individuals and families
• Briefcase management
• Service coordination for individuals and families
• Information and Referral to services
• Including mental health services, utility and benefits assistance, workforce development, housing support, youth services, financial literacy, legal assistance, survivor services, literacy, and language development, public health services, substance misuse services for youth.

• School consultation, support, and advocacy