Youth Risk Survey discussion
The Bromfield School will host “Survey Says: Are Our Teens at Risk?” Wednesday, April 10, from 7 to 9 p.m., an evening designed to engage parents and community members in the analysis of the 2012 Youth Risk Survey data. During the program, members of the school staff will share the survey data, engage attendees in discussions of what the data mean, share steps that are currently being taken, and identify other community actions that can be taken to support teens.
The program is a collaborative effort involving Bromfield’s guidance counselors, school psychologist, and health/wellness personnel, along with two student organizations: Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and World of Difference. The program is open to everyone in the community.
Mud season and Harvard trails
The ice is melting and Harvard trails will soon enjoy the unfolding of spring. As it does every year, the Conservation Commission wants to remind users of the trail rules and the etiquette of trail use.
The trails are vulnerable to rapid degradation in a few weeks of mud season. When the ground is thawing, frozen air pockets collapse underfoot, creating potholes, erosion, and hazards to people and horses. Use caution and restraint walking at this time of year and stay off the trails when conditions are at their worst. Horses and bikes are not permitted on trails when conditions are muddy. Please refrain from trail riding until the earth has firmed up.
Remember not to cut through fields on conservation land unless on a trail. Fields are protected for wildlife and agricultural use. Riders may pass around the periphery of fields but may not use conservation land for rings, exercise, or jumping.
Horseback riding and trail biking are not permitted on secondary trails—designated by blue blazes—unless otherwise marked. Horses are permitted on primary trails, those marked by yellow blazes.
For the full text of Policies on Horseback Riding on Harvard Trails, see the town’s website, Harvard.ma.us. Contact either Candy Frazer at candy.f@charter.net or Conservation Agent Liz Allard at 978-456-4106 with questions. The Conservation Commission and Agricultural Advisory Commission thank trail users for their help keeping the trails in good condition.
Summer wildlife refuge job opportunities for youths
Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge is offering Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) summer positions for young people ages 15 to 18 for eight weeks, starting June 24 and continuing until August 16. YCC recruits generally work 40 hours a week, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day, and are paid minimum wage. They must be permanent residents of the United States, and be able to provide their own transportation to work. In addition to wildlife refuge work, YCC recruits will spend several paid hours each week participating in environmental education programs.
Information and applications are available online at www.fws.gov/northeast/EasternMANWRComplex and from Natural Resource Planner Carl Melberg by phone, 978-443-4661, ext. 32, or email, Carl_Melberg@fws.gov. Applications must returned to the Sudbury, Mass. National Wildlife Refuge headquarters April 19, when YCC recruits will be randomly selected.
Judges needed for Bromfield seniors’ service projects
Completion of a 40-hour community service project is a graduation requirement at the Bromfield School. To cap off the seniors’ projects, each senior must present his or her project to a panel of community members. The presentations, though not graded, are the final requirement. The school is looking for community members and parents of students in all grades except 12 to serve on review panels Tuesday, April 30, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. to listen to how the seniors have volunteered their time. To participate on a panel, contact Ellen Sachs Leicher at eslassoc61@aol.com.
E-books now available from the library
The Harvard Public Library now offers patrons access to the Freading e-Book Service and its catalog of over 20,000 e-books, none of which requires a patron to wait in line to download. Freading has its own apps for the iPad and iPhone, and its own apps for Android tablets and phones. It is also compatible with Kindle Fire, Nook, and Kobo devices. For more information visit the Harvard Public Library website at www.harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Library books at home
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library will deliver books and other library materials to homebound Harvard and Still River patrons. A registration form to sign up is available from the library in person or can mailed out by calling the library at 978-456-4114.
