Bridge A Sch/Cmnty Partnership

The Friends of Middlesex Fells is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the conservation, appreciation, and sustainable enjoyment of the Fells, a beautiful natural reserve located in Melrose, MA. They offer guided walks, programs, and events to help visitors explore and learn about the diverse flora and fauna of the area. With a strong focus on environmental stewardship, the Friends of Middlesex Fells actively engage volunteers and encourage community involvement to protect the Fells from invasive species and maintain its sustainability. Their vision is to create a diverse and inclusive environment where people can connect with nature and contribute to the preservation of this precious natural resource.Generated from the website

Melrose Daycare Center, Inc. was founded in 1971 by a group from Melrose including members of the First Congregational Church, who were instrumental in setting aside space in the new church building for day care center, which would serve the whole community. Our Center cares for children one month through 6 years old. We are a private non-profit, non-sectarian organization which receives funds from parent tuition, the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Bureau of Nutrition, Kappa Delta Psi of Melrose, and other charitable organizations. The Center is governed by volunteer Board of Directors which is responsible for setting policies, raising funds, evaluating the program and the staff, and networking with the community. The Board has annual elections in June of each year at which time new Board members and officers are elected. Four to five parents from the Center are invited to be on the Board. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please let the Director know so that she can inform the nominating committee. ( A complete list of the Board of Directors is attached. ) Parent participation in activities of the Center is strongly encouraged. From time-to-time, ad hoc committees will be formed by the Board of Directors, and it is hoped that parents will be actively involved in these bodies. The Director of the Center meets with the Board at least once per month. The Director supervises the full-time staff, the cooks, part-time aides and volunteers. Caroline Yoder has been with the Center for 17 years and was full time director for the first 7 years. She now works part time and shares the position with Janet Dotolo. Caroline has her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master's degree in Education and Administration from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts. Janet Dotolo has been with Melrose Day Care Center for the past 16 years. She worked as a full time toddler, pre-school, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten teacher for the first 6 years in various and diversified capacities. As of September of 1998, Janet began working as a Co-director with Caroline Yoder. Janet has her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the past 14 years, Melrose Day Care Center increased it's license capacity from 58 to 85 children on three different occasions. This was accomplished by expanding the infant/toddler room to enable opening two separate classrooms and by adding an older toddler room as well as two additional pre-school classrooms. The Center ran a full day kindergarten program until June of 2001. Due to the changing needs in the community, that classroom was converted to a Part-time Preschool program, which opened in the fall of 2001. Our Infant room ( Turtle classroom ) has two full time teachers and a part time teacher's aide. We maintain a 2 ( staff ) to 7 ( children ) ratio in the infant classroom. The children can range in age from 1 month to ( approx. ) 15 months. Our infant teachers have been with the Center for 7 to 15 years and have extensive experience working with infants and toddlers. Our Younger Toddler room ( Teddy Bear classroom ) has three teachers and one part time teacher's aide. Two of these teachers share a full time position. We maintain a 2 ( staff ) to 9 ( children ) ratio in the younger toddler classroom. The children can range in age from approximately 12 months to ( approx. ) 24 months. Our younger toddler teachers have varied experiences and education levels. They have been with the Center for 2 to 13 years. Our Older Toddler room ( Rascal classroom ) has two full time teachers and a part time teachers' aide. We maintain a 2 ( staff ) to 9 ( children ) ratio in the older toddler classroom. The children can range in age from approximately 24 months to ( approx. ) 36 months. Our older toddler teachers have been with the Center for 11 to 13 years and have varied education levels and ext