February 1, 2022 by

Hello Stars!

Although the weather doesn’t feel like it, spring has sprung and so has our S.T.A.R. spring programming!   During the next few months, we will offer our Saturday play group, Crossfit, Learn to Swim at the pool, as well as some sensory art and pop-up programs.  Programs currently open for registration are as follows:

Cross-Fit

Join S.T.A.R. parent and staff member, Mandy Mason, in some active fun at the Nantucket Cycling Studio!  Get your sweat on!  This program places emphasis on social skills while working together on fine/gross motor development through movement, games and obstacle courses.  Have fun while being active, gain confidence and enjoy time with friends!

When:  Wednesdays, 4-4:50pm. April 6, 13, 27, May 4, 11 and 18.

Where: Nantucket Cycling and Fitness.  25 Youngs Way

Ages: 4 and up. Peers welcome!

Register:  info@nantucketstar.com o

Cost: $65 per participant (covers six week session)

Saturdays with S.T.A.R.

This is a developmentally rich play group hosted by Nantucket STAR in Partnership with Nantucket Community School. We will be meeting at 56 Center Street.

When: Saturdays, 9am-10am @ 56 center Street, Nantucket Community School

Dates: April 2, 9, 16, 30; May 7 & 14

Register: info@nantucketstar.com

Ages: Birth to 4 years of age

Cost: Free

NEW! Sensory Friendly Movie Event!

Free to children and families with special needs!

Sunday, April 10th 4-6pm at the Nantucket Dreamland

I am hopeful that this program will become an ongoing one, offered throughout the year!

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Keep an eye out for upcoming information-
Respite Night-
Join us for the return of Friday Night Flicks on Friday, April 29 from 5-7:30pm at Trotter’s Lane.  We will enjoy pizza and a movie!  Please rsvp to kerryr@nantucketstar.com by Thursday April 28th if you are interested in joining.
Summer programming-
We are currently finalizing summer activities, including adaptive water sports, learn to swim, adventure pods and pop-up programs (which will be more of a one-time event).
In other news, the board and I had a wonderful planning retreat with Kat King, of King Inclusion, this past weekend.  Kat guided us through mindfully planned activities and discussions, allowing us to reflect on S.T.A.R., where it has been and where we are going.  I think I can speak for all who attended by saying we feel refreshed and excited about the new ideas for programming and outreach, while maintaining our existing programming.  We are also very proud of S.T.A.R.’s work over the past 19 years and thrilled to continue to serve individuals and families with diverse needs, strengths and abilities.  We worked to craft a new mission statement that we feel more concisely depicts our passion to serve.  I am proud to share it with you here:
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Sports & Therapeutic Accessible Recreation
Our mission is to offer inclusive recreational opportunities that support and celebrate diverse strengths and abilities through collaboration with families and community partnerships. 
 
S.T.A.R. is always looking for ways to reach individuals and families that would benefit from our programs and resources.  If you know of anyone who may benefit, please send them my way.  On the same thought, I am looking for someone to help translate some program materials into Portuguese- if anyone has any leads, please let me know.
Save the Date!

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S.T.A.R. is hosting our annual Gala, Saturday, May 7th from 6-9 at the Chicken Box.  This year’s focus is FUN and GAMES!  While we will be raising funds to support our programming, we want to celebrate community and collaboration by a good, old fashioned game night.  We all deserve some fun after the challenges of the past two years!  Let’s kick off the summer season together with music, food, games and fun!  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 or for $30 at the door.  Click here to purchase! Looking forward to seeing you there!
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Kerry

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized
December 10, 2021 by

Hello friends and Happy Holidays!

We have been very busy this month at Nantucket S.T.A.R., enjoying the holiday season and preparing for our Winter 2022 Programming!

In November, to celebrate Thanksgiving,  Board member Terri Dion led us in an amazing session of S.T.A.R. Chopped via zoom!  Terri prepared all ingredients and a detailed recipe for a crustless cranberry pie.  Recipe kits were delivered to families at their homes by board members and staff.  We had such fun cooking together via zoom!  It was so nice to see everyone’s faces as they created such a special treat to share for the holiday.  The pie was absolutely delicious and children prepared the recipe from start to finish- and even helped clean up!  Thank you, Terri!

Zoom cooking!

This month, students and staff met at Trotter’s Lane to create several different ornaments to decorate our tree downtown.  Children and staff enjoyed making snowflakes, decorating letter ornaments to spell Nantucket S.T.A.R. and creating our own large and small star-shaped ornaments.  Our Tree is located at the corner of South Water Street an Main Street, so please be sure to take a look!  The S.T.A.R. tree was generously donated by Remy Creations.  Thank you for your support!

 

The S.T.A.R. tree downtown! Thank you, Remy Creations, for donating such a lovely tree!

After the holiday season, S.T.A.R. is thrilled to return to in-person programming!  During the month of January, we will be offering Ice Skating and Cooking Classes!

STARS on Ice, offered in partnership with Nantucket Ice, will be offered six consecutive Wednesdays at 4pm, beginning January 5, 2022.   Program fees are $65 for the six week program.  Registration is required.  Skating is open to children of all ages! This is a wonderful way to build confidence and social skills, while focusing on motor planning and skill building.

Star Chopped, offered in partnership with the Nantucket Culinary Center, will be offered four consecutive Thursdays at 4, beginning January 6, 2022.  Program fees are $55 for the four week program.  Registration is required.  Cooking classes are open for children ages 10 and up.  This program is a fantastic way to learn life skills, safety and hygiene in the kitchen, while focusing on social skills.

Saturday’s with S.T.A.R., offered in partnership with the Nantucket Community School, will be offered for four Saturdays, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, and 2/12 from 9-10am.   This program is free of charge and registration is suggested.  Come play, sing and create with Tina at 56 Centre Street!  This program is for neuro-typical children and children with identified needs, ages birth through four years old.  Come join the fun!

Upcoming programming– Stay tuned for some new programming and events in the works!

Please email me with any questions or to register for programming at kerryr@nantucketstar.com

Happy holidays, friends!  I look forward to seeing you all in January!

Warmly,

Kerry Ray

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized
November 4, 2021 by

Happy fall, S.T.A.R. families!

What a beautiful October we enjoyed!  We were thrilled to see our Adventure Pods venture out.  So far, groups have explored Gardner Farm and the Audubon property off of Hummock Pond Road.  What a joy it was to see the children interact with each other, staff and volunteers!  The crisp air and blue skies set the perfect tone for groups to laugh, learn and play.  We saw birds, animal tracks, insects and more.  Although we had to cancel last week due to bad weather, we are looking forward to reconnecting this week at the Milestone Cranberry Bog!  The weather looks perfect to walk the bogs and learn about the cranberry harvest on Nantucket.  We will be rescheduling last Saturday’s missed trip, so stay tuned!

Our littlest community members also began Saturday Mornings with S.T.A.R., outdoors at the Community Music Center.  Tina spends the morning hour with children birth -4 and their caregivers, providing a developmentally rich environment to play, craft, sing and enjoy each other’s company.  This group is always such a joy and is offered in partnership with the Community School and generously funded by ReMain Nantucket and the Community Foundation of Nantucket.

As we move into November, we are grateful for the opportunity to be together and enjoy.  This month, board member and mother, Terri Dion, will be hosting two cooking classes!  On Saturday, November 6th from 3-4pm, we will learn how to make a crustless cranberry pie.  A perfect treat as we move deeper into autumn.  If you have yet to do so, please email Kerry if you are interested in participating.  Classes will be conducted via zoom and materials will be delivered.  Stay tuned for another cooking class later this month!

November also brings fundraising opportunities, and the Nantucket Police Department has graciously selected Nantucket S.T.A.R. as the recipient of their ‘No Shave November’ fundraiser.  Members of the NPD are required to remain clean shaven, except during November, when they are allowed to let their facial hair grow for donations a local nonprofit.  This is always a fun event for the NPD and community members.  Thank you NPD!  Donations can be made by scanning the QR code on their flyer.  Please spread the word!

On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for the warm welcome I have received from our S.T.A.R. community.  I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of Director and beyond excited to build on the wonderful programming that S.T.A.R. already has to offer.

Warmly,

Kerry Ray

Filed Under: Uncategorized