When the MCPS Family Resource and Youth Service Center (FRYSC) directors met earlier this year to brainstorm summer events, they knew they wanted to include as many student groups as possible.
“Not every student or every family gets to take advantage of the same opportunities that are available,” Lebanon Elementary FRYSC director Dawn Blandford said. “We wanted to give all families a chance to be involved.”
With that in mind, the FRYSC directors worked together, pooling available resources, to offer Partners in Growth, a series of events specifically for families with children who are FMD, MMD, or MSD -- classifications for students with certain types of special needs.
“It’s always such a joy to provide services to them,” Blandford said. “And I wanted to see them during the summer.”
Blandford stressed that these are intended to be events for the entire family. While the activities are inclusive to the FMD, MMD, and MSD students, families are encouraged to bring all of their children to join in on the fun.
“So long as the parents can provide supervision, we want them to bring the entire family,” she said.
The first event -- visiting Centre Square to see the musical Star and Stripes -- was earlier this month. But there are still three more events scheduled, and Blandford said she’s hopeful more families will take advantage of them.
Next up is an hour of open gym time at the Marion County Sportsplex on June 26 from 10:00-11:00 am. Part of the facility will be reserved for the participating families.
Then, on July 10 from 10:00-noon, there’s Cooking Together, an adaptive family cooking class which will be in the Lebanon Middle School Family Resource Center.
Finally, there’s a water aerobics session at the Lebanon Aquatic Center set for July 24 from 10:00-11:00 am.
Blandford noted that summer break can be difficult for some students as it gets them out of a routine, so the Partners in Growth program was one way to keep things more consistent during the summer.
“We wanted to keep people engaged but also have fun,” Blandford said.
Before attending, families are asked to register by completing an online form, which can be accessed either by visiting https://forms.gle/9yF6ciYeSJssk3jZ9.