Welcome from the Executive Board

Welcome to LexFUN! We are so excited to have you as part of our community and hope you enjoy many of the wonderful benefits that being a member brings. LexFUN! has been running since 1942. While times have changed quite a bit in the last 78 years, the need for families to connect and support each other during the early childhood years remains constant. LexFUN!, formerly known as the Lexington Preschool PTA, was started during a very difficult time in our history - World War II - and we now find ourselves facing another difficult time, this time in the form of a pandemic. While COVID may force us to remain physically distanced for some time, we are fortunate to have so many ways to remain connected whether via Zoom events, socially distanced picnics, or neighborhood scavenger hunts for chalk drawings, yellow balloons, or teddy bears. Young children are incredibly resilient and have a gift of mostly living in the moment. It’s us parents that often shoulder the burden of worry and stress, which is why relying on a community of people going through the same experience is so important.

As parents of little children ourselves, we have been brainstorming ways to offer opportunities for social interaction and fun for our little ones as well as connection for us adults aligned to the latest guidelines for social distancing. We are optimistic that many of our bellowed events will still be possible in this next year, with only minor modifications to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

This family guide is put together each year to provide an overview of member benefits and also a directory of essential information for parents, helping you to navigate your way through the early childhood years by sharing information for local parks, preschools, museums, and more! If you are reading a printed copy of this guide, we strongly encourage you to view our digital version for the most current information as well as a deep dive into the many amazing preschools Lexington has to offer. (Note: a newly expanded version of the preschool section will be published online only after preschools have had time to adjust their offerings based on the governor’s latest guidance).

Please make sure you get the most out of your membership by logging into the private members area on our website, www.lexfun.org/memberhome and check out the upcoming events at www.lexfun.org/calendar. And for an even easier way to keep track of events, download the Wild Apricot Member’s App and use your LexFUN! login to add events directly to your calendar.

So many benefits beyond friendship include an event calendar with over 100 events annually such as: ● Children’s events - Playgroups, Playground Meet-ups, Drop-in play center ● Parents events - Mom’s nights out, Parents nights ● Family events - Puppet show, Barn Babies petting zoo, Family Movie Morning, Membership Party ● Community events - annual Halloween Parade

Plus many other resources: ● Online discussion forum and closed LexFUN! Members Only Discussion Group on Facebook ● Kindergarten Connection to ease the transition to Kindergarten ● Volunteer opportunities for LexFUN! and for affiliated charities ● Children’s consignment sale, raising money for LexFUND! for preschool scholarships and more ● Exclusive member discounts to over 50 local businesses ● Email newsletter with events and activities, useful parenting info and latest discounts ● Member site with event calendar, secure ticket purchases, member directory, photo album, discounts, annual guide, playgroup sign-up and more! ● Member App for easy access to the events calendar, your profile, your RSVPs and the member directory!

LexFUN! prides itself on being a resource for families with young children. We hope you will join us at many of our events this year and you experience the benefits of being part of such a wonderful community.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors for their amazing and generous support of LexFUN! This year we thank ● Gold - Coppe + Sears Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Lexington Pediatrics, Pathway Law, Russian School of Math ● Broze - Chase Plumbing Co., Inc., Maija Sawyer- Coldwell Banker, Penguin Coding School, Pinot's Palette, The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, Waldorf School, Wingate Wealth Advisors, Xtend Barre, Yamaha Music School of Boston, Young Engineers Lexington

A big thank you also goes out to our dedicated Board Members for volunteering to share their time, enthusiasm, commitment, and talent that continues to make LexFUN! the great organization it is today.

Thank you for being a part of LexFUN!

Kira Sevene and Liz Ryan, Co-Presidents on behalf of the LexFUN! Executive Board