Welcome to the Weston Public Library's Children, Families and Teens Newsletter!

This newsletter contains information about happenings in the Children's Library, Young Adult (YA) Space and let's you know of upcoming Children, Family, Parent and Teen programs and events. This is a bi-weekly newsletter. If you want to see all of the programs and events happening for the month, please go to our Calendar where you can view all of the events at once and register online. You can also view the program listing for Children and Families Here or Teens and Parents Here.

If you have any questions, please contact Head of Children and Young Adult Services, Alessandra (Petrino) Casiello at [email protected] or 203-222-2651.

We also have other newsletters you can subscribe to, such as our Children/YA Book News, Adult Newsletter (general library newsletter), or our Adult Upcoming Book News. Choose the newsletter's you want to subscribe to and see our most recent newsletters by

going to our Newsletters Page on our website.

Thank you!

Thank you to all that participated in our Summer Library Adventures and Summer Reading Challenge Programs. We hope you had fun! And we have good news, a new Reading Challenge will be coming in the fall. More information to come!

A Few Reminders As School Starts:

-All patrons are expected to follow our Code of Conduct of acceptable behavior so as to provide a safe and welcoming environment to those of all ages.

-We want to remind our parents that any child under the age of 12 must have a caregiver over the age of 18 inside the library with them when visiting the library. This is a state mandate and must be followed by all patrons.

-Our Children's Room and YA Space have seating available to do school work and both areas have computers available for research and printing purposes. (Printing has a cost).

-Tutors and for-profits are not able to reserve our conference rooms, but if there is not a reservation in a room when you are here, they are free to use on first-come, first-serve basis.(This does not include the community room which can only be reserved by not-for-profits when not in use by library events and staff).

-If you have any questions regarding children, family or teen services, please contact Head of Children and Young Adult Services, Alessandra (Petrino) Casiello at [email protected].

Weston Reads: Growing a Community of Readers

In February, the Weston Public Library announced the launch of Weston Reads, a year-long initiative to promote the love of reading and provide community engagement for residents of all ages. Beginning February 22, 2022, the library took recommendations from patrons and staff for book discussion titles in four categories: Early Learners (Ages birth-6), Kids (Ages 7-12), Teens (Ages 13-18), and Adults ( Ages 18+). Library staff then chose the top six titles in each age group. Book discussions, programs and other special events were planned around chosen titles, culminating in the Weston Reads Awards in the October. Check out the book selections below and register for our final month's discussions. You can read the books at anytime and do not have to attend all of the discussions in order to take part in the voting in the fall.

Weston Reads: Adult Level (Ages 18+)

-April: The Apple King by King

-May: The Island of Sea Women by See

-June: There There by Orange

-July: Better to Trust by Frimmer

-August: The Sweetness of Water by Harris

-September: Wish You Were Here by Picoult More information and Register for Discussion Here.

Weston Reads: Teen Level (Ages 13-18)

-April: Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Maldonado

-May: Far From the Tree by Benway 

-June: Dry by Shusterman

-July: Damselfly by Prasad

-August: The Inheritance Games by Barnes More Information and Register for Discussion Here.

-September: They Called Us Enemy by Takei More Information and Register for Discussion Here.

Weston Reads: Kids Level (Ages 7-12)

-April: Seven Clues to Home by Baskin & Polisner 

-May: Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Schmidt 

-June: The Adventures of Henry Whiskers by Priebe

-July: Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trueit

-August: Kodi by Cullum More information and Register for Discussion Here.

-September: Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch by Abe More Information and Register for Discussion Here.

Weston Reads: Early Learners Level (Ages birth-6 years)

-April: Life by Rylant

-May: Soul Food Sunday by Bingham

-June: Zoey & Sassafrass: Dragons & Marshmallows by Citro

-July: The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastic by Hood

-August: We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Higgins

-September: Max on the Farm by Luckoff More information and Register for Discussion Here.

Cooks and Books withSticky FIngers Cooking

Monday, September 12 @ 6:00 PM via ZOOM. All ages with parent assistance. Registration Required Here.

Join us for a cooking lesson inspired by the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Hosted by Sticky Fingers Cooking, you will learn how to make Mischievous Red Pepper Goulash, Wild Rumpus Buttered Noodles and Ice Cream in a Bag. Ingredients are not provided by the library.  Ingredient list will be provided before the program

Owl's One and All Storytime

Saturdays, September 3 & 24: 12:30-1:15 PM in Community Room. All ages. Registration required separately for each session.

We invite children of all ages and their caregivers to join us for stories, songs and a small activity.

-9/3 Register Here

-9/24 Register Here

Science Club

Tuesdays, September 6, 13, 20 & 27 @ 4:30-5:30 PM. Ages 5+. Registration required separately for each session.

Join us at our weekly Science Club with Miss Laura. Each week we will have new science activities for you to take part in. 

-9/6: Magnetic Slime

-9/13: Crystal Gardens

-9/20: Baking Soda Powdered Boats

-9/27: Model Lungs

Craft and Create

Wednesdays, September 7, 14 & 21: 6:30 PM  in Community Room. Ages 5-12. Registration required separately for each session. Click on links to register.

Join Miss Laura on Wednesday nights for a themed craft. Let's see what you create!

-9/7: Beaded Keychains

-9/14: Tambourines

-9/21: Leaf Art

Melty Mondays

Mondays, September 12, 19 & 26 @ 3:30-4:45 PM in Community Room. Ages 5+. Registration required separately for each session.

Melty Mondays is back! Come in and create a wonderfully unique Perler Bead creation. Projects must be completed by 4:45 in order to be ironed and taken home the same day.?

-9/12 Register Here

-9/19 Register Here

-9/26 Register Here

Eeyore's Eensie Weensie's Storytime

Tuesdays, September 13, 20 & 27: 9:45-10:15 AM in Community Room. Ages birth-23 months. Registration required separately for each session.

Our littlest patrons and their caregivers are invited to join us for lap rhymes, songs, and board books!

-9/13 Register Here.

-9/20 Register Here.

-9/27 Register Here.

Winnie's Wiggleworms Music and Movement

Wednesdays, September 14, 21 & 28: 10:30-11:00 AM in Community Room. Ages birth-2. Registration required separately for each session.

Join us for songs, rhymes, and dancing!

-9/14 Register Here.

-9/21 Register Here.

-9/28 Register Here.

Lego Club

Wednesday, September 14 @ 3:45 PM. Ages 5+. Registration required here.

Our Lego Club is back! Monthly, join us for a meeting for those that love to build and play with LEGOs.

Tigger's Tiny Tales Storytime

Thursdays, September 15, 22 & 29: 11:00-11:30 AM. Ages 1-5 years. Registration required separately for each session.

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes.?

-9/15 Register Here.

-9/22 Register Here.

-9/29 Register Here.

Pokemon Club

Wednesday, September 21 @ 3:45 PM-4:45 PM in Community Room. Ages 5-12 (with parent in room if under the age of 8). Registration Required Here.

Talk all things Pokémon, trade and battle cards, watch movies and even win Pokémon cards during Pokémon Bingo! You are welcome to bring a device and play Pokemon Go. If the weather is nice you can walk around the library lawn and hit 5 Pokestops! 

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

Thursday, September 29: 3:00 PM in Community Room. Middle and High School Students. Registration required here. Application required.

Those in middle and high school that are interested in having a larger voice at the library can join our teen advisory board. Here we discuss upcoming teen programs, volunteer opportunities and community service. If you are interested in joining you can attend this meeting to pick up an application and ask questions or email [email protected].

Navigating College Admissions Successfully

Wednesday, October 12 @ 7PM via ZOOM. Register Here.

OR

Tuesday, October 25 @ 7PM via ZOOM. Register Here.

The presentation will be led by Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC. (www.standoutforcollege.com)

We are offering this Zoom presentation to help families understand how COVID has changed the college admissions landscape and how it affects Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen.

The recent college admissions cycle was the most competitive to date. With most colleges continuing their test-optional policies as well as increasing their virtual outreach to high school students, many schools had record numbers of applicants. Record high numbers of applications result in record low acceptance rates which is what most popular colleges and universities experienced this past admissions cycle. 

We will discuss current college admissions trends, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find schools that can be a good fit for your child, a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to make this school year productive and help reduce the stress around the college admissions process.

We’ll examine the holistic admissions review process, what admissions officers consider important when they review applicants, and how students can position themselves to develop a compelling narrative to increase their chances for admission.

We will also discuss the importance of community service, how it can provide an opportunity for personal growth and a way to showcase a student’s character. Admissions officers place great emphasis on a student’s character and how the student has been able to give back and help others. This program is recommended for parents and their high school teens.