April Newsletter

March was another Fun month full of exciting and creative choices at The Big Mystic! Our Kids had a blast diving into activities that stretched their imaginations and sparked their curiosity. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

We kicked off the month with Culinary Crimes, where the kids put on their detective hats and investigated different versions of food! They examined what had changed, what was added, and what made each version unique. It was a fun, hands-on way to explore the world of food and science.

The Choice Quizzes brought out the competitive spirit with interactive quizzes that challenged the kids' knowledge and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.

The Brain Vs Knowledge was another awesome addition, where kids put their thinking caps on for a friendly battle of brains and knowledge. They engaged in puzzles, challenges, and games that had everyone on their toes. We also got creative with Gem Headband Decorating, a fantastic arts and crafts activity that allowed the kids to express themselves and design their own sparkly accessories.

With so many incredible activities this month, the kids had a fantastic time making memories and learning new things. Additionally, the kids joined a Minecraft Club, where they worked together to build, explore, and create amazing virtual worlds, sparking creativity and teamwork along the way.

March was a month full of fun, excitement, and plenty of opportunities to try something new!

This month we are excited to announce our Kid and Staff nominees: Lenz and Sherlyn!

Lenz for all his hard work this month. He’s done an incredible job engaging the kids, always jumping into the activities with them and guiding them through each one. Lenz’s dedication and enthusiasm make every choice even more enjoyable for everyone.

Sherlyn has been working hard on her homework and always gets it done with a positive attitude. Sherlyn is also always willing to lend a hand, whether it’s helping staff or supporting her peers during activities. Her willingness to help out and pitch in whenever needed is truly appreciated!

Thank you, Sherlyn and Lenz, 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.

March was truly a lucky month for the MELC. March brought the first signs of spring! The weather got a little warmer, and flowers began to bloom. It’s a time of new beginnings, like getting outside to play! Soccer is definitely calling our name. With new choices coming we had to say goodbye to one of our favorite choices this year No Bake club. It was a special time where we could come together, make delicious treats without an oven, and share our creations with friends. Whether it was cookies, energy bites, or yummy fruit snacks, we all had fun experimenting and making memories in the kitchen together. We are really excited for No Scraps club, Space Adventure Club and Endangered Animals Club. April is pretty booked & busy for us knowing our spring break is coming up and a little birdie told us that we are going to the Ecoerarium for a field trip so we are super excited.

Big Congratulations to this months Staff and Kid Super Stars: Miguel and Jacob

Miguel- Miguel has really stepped his game up in the homework department. Always taking it out when it is homework time and picking books that really challenge him in a good way. He's even inspired some of his peers to try a new book or two. For that we are truly proud and happy to see with this growth will take him.

Jacob- Jacob has been a really good role model and friend to the young kids. Whether it is helping them with arts and crafts or just sitting and listening to a story they have, he's always there for them. We are so happy to have Jacob on our team and excited to see what his journey will continue to look like.

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.

March was an incredible month for our night groups! We kicked things off with Flag Wars, where everyone brought their A-game and showed off some serious teamwork and strategy. The excitement was high, and it was great seeing everyone so engaged and competitive.

Next, the Paper Football League got everyone’s competitive spirit going, with some epic matchups and unforgettable moments. Whether it was close games or funny plays, we all had a blast as everyone’s skills and friendly rivalries came to life.

One of the highlights of the month was our trip to Xtreme Craze in Woburn, where we had an amazing time enjoying all the attractions and bonding with each other in a fun, high-energy environment.

Throughout the month, we had so much fun with different activities and choices, whether it was playing games or just hanging out and chatting with our peers. March was full of great memories, and we can’t wait to see what April has in store!

Mandarins are a simple, nutritious snack that’s always in season around this time of year. They’re a good source of vitamin C and fiber, making them a solid choice for keeping kids energized throughout the day. Easy to peel and naturally sweet, they’re one of the fruits the kids reach for every chance they get. Mess-free, and something they actually enjoy eating!

Happy Birthday to our Kids!

Aviana 4/3

Janya 4/22

Happy Birthday to our Staff!

Talique 4/1

Lenz 4/14

Sadun 4/22

Kayla- 4/23

Holidays

Easter 4/20

Patriots Day 4/21

Earth Day 4/22

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: n/a
• Stoneham Public Schools: Wednesday 4/16

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

Monday April 21st- Patriots Day

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

Friday April 18th- Good Friday

Monday April 21st- Friday April 25th APRIL VACATION

Our Parent Meeting will be on Monday, April 14th

• 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, April 28th , from 5:30- 6:30 pm at the Mystic Learning Center.

• We will be planning the Basket Bonanza Fundraiser for April and the 15th Annual Spring for Children fundraiser coming up in May!

• 'Blank Check'- Disney Plus
• 'Yes Day' - Netflix
• 'Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie'- Amazon

MLC's Community Craft Night on March 14th, 2025, was a huge success! The event brought together a vibrant group of community members who had a blast creating beautiful mosaic coasters and trays. Attendees enjoyed a relaxing evening filled with creativity, food, drinks, and meaningful connections. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, allowing everyone to tap into their artistic side while making new friends. A big thank you to all who participated—we can't wait to host more events like this in the future!

Join us for the 15th Annual Spring Celebration hosted by Mystic Learning Center Inc.! Enjoy a day full of entertainment, delicious food, drinks, and exciting raffles. It's the perfect event to kick off the season!

Join us for an exciting upcoming event at MLC – our Basket Bonanza raffle! For just $1 per ticket, you can enter to win amazing prizes. Tickets are available at the MLC office or through Zelle, so be sure to get yours soon. The raffle drawing will be held live on Instagram (@mysticlearningcenter) on Friday, April 18th at 4 PM. Don’t miss out on the fun and your chance to win—purchase your tickets today and stay tuned for the live drawing!

Check out our link tree for all of our happenings and sign up for Community Craft Night: https://linktr.ee/MysticLearningCenter

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