Please find below information on events and activities taking place at or with the Niles Teen Center in the next couple of weeks.
1) March 15 Election- Ballot Referendum Question- important!!
Niles is a community that prides itself on outstanding service. We have four very unique departments at the Village: the Niles Senior Center, Niles Family Fitness Center, Niles Teen Center, and Niles Family Services Department.
On the ballot at the March election, voting residents will be asked whether or not these departments should continue to be funded by the Village. This vote is nonbinding, which means the vote will not result in a new law, but rather help elected officials decide the wants and needs of Niles residents.
If you are not familiar with these four village departments, I encourage you to read about them in the upcoming spring Village of Niles newsletter or visit them first hand to learn how their services provide Niles residents with a higher quality of life.
2) Notice: Effective April 1st- definition and rate change for non-residents
and New Software to expand and improve service
Due to a change in the membership software used by the Teen center, effective April 1st, there will be a change in the definition of non-resident. A Non-Niles Resident is any student who does not have a Niles address and will pay $35 per year, regardless of where the child attends school. All Niles Residents will continue to pay the $20 per year fee. These fees are only collected when you renew your membership or someone begins a new membership. This change is necessary due the new software and to bring the Teen Center into better alignment with the policies of the Niles Senior Center and Niles Family Fitness Center.
As we implement the new software, called MaxGalaxy, you will notice changes in our procedures and improved services for you and your family. MaxGalaxy will allow for in-house and online credit card payments, online membership registration, and better email communication.
Mark and Halley are spending a significant amount of time and effort on data entry and training for the new software during the February and March. There will be a transition period to MaxGalaxy. Please be patient with us and as always, thanks for your support
3) Spring Programming- Newsletters and Calendars
The Spring Newsletter and Calendars will be available next week.
4) Quarterly Mailing and Membership Renewals
In the next week or so, everyone should be receiving a letter from Mark in the mail with the newsletter and calendars. Many of you will also receive membership renewal forms. If you are expired or expiring soon, please sign and return the forms with proper payment so that you (or your teen) can continue to participate in our programs.
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6) Tues. February 16 – Game Tournament- Guitar Hero Live- 4:00 pm
Most Tuesdays at 4:00p.m., Nick will set up tournaments for video games and table games like Foosball, Air Hockey, Darts, NBA2K15 or Call of Duty 3. Prizes may be awarded to winners.
7) Wed. February 17 – “Girl Talk” continues from 4:00-5:00 pm
Girl Talk is a group designed to meet the social and emotional needs of teen girls. This group focuses on improving self-esteem, self-image, communication skills, conflict resolution, reducing stressors and addressing other issues teen girls face. Girl Talk meets every Wednesday from 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. The group is facilitated by Nicole Espinoza, LCSW of Niles Family Services in collaboration with the Niles Teen Center.
8) Thursday, February 18- Man-Cave continues- 4:30- 5:30 pm
Man Cave is a group designed for the teenage boy to bring their concerns, experiences and challenges to the group and to give and receive feedback, relevant information, and guidance. This group will offer their members an opportunity to learn how to manage some of the difficulties of being a teenager. The group will be facilitated by Nick Pizzo and Ilona Jurczyk and will meet 2 times per month from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m
9) Tile Art Project- Unveiling Ceremony- Saturday, February 20- Noon
Join parents, kids, business and community leaders of Niles as we unveil the 2015/16 Tile Art Project designed by area students for Lights On Afterschool and sponsored by the Optimist Club of Niles. Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide event that calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs
Date: Saturday, February 20
Time: 12:00- 12:30 pm
Location: near the Niles Teen Center and Gloria Jeans Coffee
See the Attached List to see if you are a winner!!
10) Stay Connected to Niles News
Residents can sign up to be notified via email when emergencies arise. This includes all types of emergencies such as storms, heat and cold alerts, and any other situation that may put residents at risk. Residents may also sign up to receive important Village event and news updates via the Niles e-newsletter. Sign up here or text VILLAGEOFNILES to 22828.
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001QWtnRjeXPg5j1zExx9xX1IUaBvqAH-dAxjdJ7dr5pt-jVvw-Wb5CNwL4wOV--rbvVyzstf9xANPfDNC1-d3LH2xGQgkWfvyUeAf6KiXpJZk%3D
11) Niles Chamber of Commerce- Dollars for Scholars- Scholarship Program
for graduating 8th graders and high school seniors.
Deadline is Friday, March 4th
All Application information is now available online at www.nileschamber.dollarsforscholars.org.
Did you know that by living in the Village of Niles, or an employee of a Niles Chamber member that your students/children are eligible for Niles Chamber Dollars for Scholars Scholarship, if entering High School or College?
The Niles Chamber Dollars for Scholars Charter is an all-volunteer committee dedicated to our youth. This 2015-16 academic year, three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating eighth grade students entering high school and three $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors. Applications are judged on service to the community and school, response to an essay, awards and honors, school transcripts, and letters of recommendation
All students must complete a Student Profile, this is where they will complete the activities section, transcript section and essay question.
Past recipients have been from local schools such as: St. John Brebeuf, Gemini Junior High, Clarence E. Culver School, St. Juliana, Maine West High School, Niles North High School, Niles West High School, Notre Dame High School, St. Mary of the Woods, Resurrection High School, Maine East High School and Loyola Academy.
Scholarships have also been granted to the children of Chamber Member employees like: Ed Garvey & Co., St. Benedict Nursing & Rehab Center, Fifth Third Bank, Professional Eye Care Center, Niles Public Library, Golf Mill Shopping Center, Niles Family Fitness Center and the Village of Niles
Deadline for all applications will be NO LATER than Friday March 4th at 4:30 pm NO EXCEPTIONS
12) If you are new to the Teen Center and are enjoying your time with us, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN TOO!!!
13) We are on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHAT and GOOGLE+!!!
Please “like” the Niles Teen Center on Facebook to get program updates and see photos and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Niles-Teen-Center/212965978871193
Also, you can follow us on Instagram @TheNilesTeenCenter- http://instagram.com/thenilesteencenter
WE ARE ON SNAPCHAT!!!- look us up @NilesTeenCenter
Ann and Halley will be working on snaps throughout our regular teen center programming.
14) Removal- If you want to be removed from this distribution list, please reply with the word “remove”, the teen center member’s name, and the email address to be removed.
Thanks,
Mark Williams
Niles Teen Center Director
Niles Teen Center
373 Golf Mill Center
Niles, IL 60714
847-588-6900- office
MLW@VNiles.com