5 Things You Need To Know Today: March 22

1.  has announced that preparations are underway for their annual Easter Brunch to be held Easter Sunday, April 8. Patrons can plan to feast on prime rib, seafood, made to order omelet’s, waffles, desserts, other brunch fare and some delectable and delightful culinary surprises at the school’s Epicurean Room restaurant, said a release. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., for the price of $16.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5-10 years old, while children 4 and under eat free. Reservations must be made by calling 508-263-9868, a dedicated line to the Easter Brunch. Leave a message on the voice mail by April 1, and your call will be returned and reservation confirmed.

2. At a time when national youth employment is at an all time low, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Kelley French, Young Adult Employment Initiative Program Director for Partnership for a Skilled Workforce, Inc. has urged local leaders to expand the network of partners to include private industry and others to help create jobs and employment opportunities for area youth in Framingham, Marlborough, and throughout the MetroWest area. Highlighted by French and Leone as one of those opportunities that were discussed was the formation of an initiative to bring youth summer employment to Marlborough through the Young Adult Employment Initiative Program and Partnership for a Skilled Workforce, Inc. Recent efforts were discussed at the organization’s Youth Summit. This year’s topic was “The Crisis: Youth Employment at Lowest Since 1949—The Impact to Our Future Workforce, Community and Employers,” and the summit was held at the in Marlborough. Organized by the Young Adult Initiative Board of the Partnerships for A Skilled Workforce, Inc., the summit’s purpose was for community members in Metrowest to come together to collectively discuss how to help provide employment opportunities for area youth in order to offer them positive alternatives to at-risk behavior and invest in their future. 

3. There is a brand new art exhibit showing at the Mad Hatter Gallery on Lincoln Street (attached to the ). Go for a visit any time between noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday for the next month and enjoy the inspirations of local artists. 

4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the Massachusetts Department of Health a $1.57 million Community Transformation Grant to promote health and wellness in Middlesex County. United States Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, will formally launch the grant’s activities at a press conference 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 23—the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act—in the Somerville Armory. The event will also showcase some of the grant’s leading projects and partners. The grant will help reduce death and disability in the county from health-related factors such as poor nutrition, a lack of physical activity, and smoking. Work will focus on expanding efforts in tobacco-free housing, active living and healthy eating, quality clinical and other preventive services, social and emotional wellness, and healthy and safe physical environments. Marlborough will benefit from this grant, as will other cities and towns in Middlesex County: Lowell, Everett, Malden, Medford, Waltham, Cambridge, Framingham, Hudson, Arlington, Belmont, Newton, Watertown, Melrose-Wakefield, Somerville, Stoneham, and Reading.

5. All children living in Marlborough who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2012, are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. There are no exceptions regarding entrance age requirements. Families should register at the school the children will attend. Day 1 on the schedule is for students with last names that begin with A-L, and Day 2 is for students whose last names begin with M-Z. If families are unable to attend on the specified date, they can attend the alternate registration date for the appropriate school.

Day 2 (M-Z):  9 a.m. to 2 p. m. Thursday, March 22

Day 1 (A-L):  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 28
Day 2 (M-Z): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 29

A make-Up date will be held at the district Office Monday, April 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

A page has been created on the district website to help parents get the information and forms they need for kindergarten registration—see the “Kindergarten Registration 2012-2013” tab under “Students and Families.”

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