North Suburban Family Network

North Suburban Family Network

The North Suburban Family Network (NSFN), program of Hallmark Health, is a community-based family education and support program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, through the Melrose Public Schools. The Family Network brings together families and their communities of Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield and surrounding communities by helping to meet the needs of parents and caregivers of young children from pre-natal through 47 months.

The NSFN offers a variety of parent/child play and learn groups, parent support groups and educational workshops. Information on resources in the area is available. Family-fun events and drop-in play are two of our most popular programs. Families outside the three communities are welcome to attend any drop-in programs and registered programs if space is available. To learn more download our Winter 2010 Newsletter.

The NSFN offers discounted passes to the Stone and Franklin Park Zoos. The NSFN has a parent information library full of books, DVD’s and videos on different parenting topics. For additional information or to be added to our mailing list please call the office at 781-662-2722. NSFN offers a variety of educational classes, play and learn groups and support groups including:

• Drop in Playtime: Opportunity for caregiver to come play with their child in a safe, warm and nurturing environment filled with toys, books, puzzles, a slide and more.

• Custodial Grandparent Support Group

• Parent and Infant Support Group (birth through 6 months old)

• Play and Learn Groups for Pre-Toddlers and Toddlers

• Monthly Parent Education Workshops

• Family Fun Activities

• Book, DVD and Video Resource Library

Office Hours

The North Suburban Family Network office will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 1:00 pm. The Drop in Playroom will reopen on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Winter session 1 play and learn groups will begin the week of January 11, 2010. The drop in playroom will be open Monday - Friday from 9:30am - 12:30 pm.

The Center will be closed:

Dec. 19 – Jan. 5 (Holidays & Registration)
(Center re-opens Wednesday, January 6)

Monday, Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Day)

Monday, Feb. 15 (President’s Day)

Family Network Sick Policy

To ensure that the NSFN is a safe and healthy environment for all families, we ask that you do not attend the Network if you or your child are not feeling well or are exhibiting any of the following symptoms: severe coughing, frequent sneezing, runny nose, fever, sore throat, conjunctivitis, vomiting or diarrhea. If your child is prescribed an antibiotic, please wait a full 24 hours before returning to the Network. The NSFN staff reserves the right to ask a family to leave the Center if any of the above symptoms are present.

Snow Policy

In case of inclement weather on school days, when the Melrose Public Schools are closed the Family Network center will be closed. School closings are posted on TV channels 4, 5 and 7. If schools have a delayed opening, please call our office to check our schedule. If it starts to snow or ice during the day, please call the office to check if we will close early. For safety purposes, in the case of any snow or ice on Saturday Drop-In Play days or during school vacation week, please call the office to make sure we are open

How to find us

All classes will be held at the Family Network in the lower level of the Franklin School unless otherwise stated. The Franklin School is located at the corner of Franklin and Main Street in Melrose. Our entrance is on the right side of the building off the driveway. Look for the NSFN sandwich board. Parking is allowed on neighboring streets and in the parking lot at the end of Greenleaf Place.