Monthly Archives: February 2012

8th Graders’ Input Requested for Yearbook

This year’s yearbook, REFLECTIONS, is in the production stages and we would like to have your input!!! We will have a section of the yearbook dedicated to your reflections about your 3 years here at Bigelow. Please write two or three lines that describes your YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF BIGELOW! There is a box in the main office for your convenience Only 25 “Best Memories” will be selected for the book, so, if you are interested get your reflections in soon. The deadline is March 1st.
Thank You
Ms. Myers

Sixth Grade Intramural March Madness Basketball

ALL 6th graders are encouraged to participate in the March Madness Basketball tournament that will begin on March 1st and will end on March 16th with a final game. The March Madness format requirements are:
1. Every homebase is eligible to participate and only the students in your homebase can play for your homebase.
2. You do not have to play every day.
3. The tournament will run on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-5.
4. Your entire homebase can be on your roster but each homebase must have at least 5 players on each day of the tournament or you will forfeit all games on that day. Each team will play from 3-6 game per day.
5. Games are 10 minutes long and substitutions are made after 5 minutes of play.
6. If you are interested sign-up in your homebase or talk with your homebase teacher.
7. The winning homebase will receive a pizza party and their names on the Reddy Trophy!

Physical Eduction News – Written Fitness Test March 4th – 9th

The Fitness Unit in P.E. will be ending March 1st. All students will be taking a written Fitness test that will test their knowledge of terms, muscles and principals of Fitness. This test will be fifty percent (50%) of the 3rd term’s grade.  Students have been participating in fitness unit since December.
The study Guide for the test can be found on the Bigelow website under daily assignments. Scroll down to FAA/PE Myers. Click on study guide. All students will have one day of review during PE classes and the test will be given in the next PE class. Testing will be done from March 4 to March 9th. The third term ends on the 16th.
All students are encourage to download this information and to come see either Mr. Prendergast or Ms. Myers if they have any questions.
There are no re-takes of the test.

Music and Voice Sessions

 Is your child interested in learning how to play the piano, guitar, flute, or saxophone in the comfort of his or her own house? Does your child have the desire to sing all the time? Next Level Up now offers in-home music and voice sessions by accomplished and experienced musicians and teachers. Our instructors include current and former students, as well as current instructors at the Berklee College of Music and The New England Conservatory of Music. To learn more about your options and for all questions, please contact Next Level Up in-home music instruction at our email: info@nextleveluptutoring.com OR phone: (781) 540-1123. “Next Level Up – Raising up communities one child at a time”

Newton Community Preservation Committee News

Public Hearing: (Time will be set aside for public comments.)
Myrtle Village (12 & 18-30 Curve Street, West Newton)
affordable housing proposal, CPA funds requested: $938,063
The CPC will hold a working session and possible funding vote on this proposal after the public hearing. The full text of the proposal is online under “Pending Proposals” from our “Proposals & Projects” at www.newtonma.gov/cpa/projects.htm. A printed copy of the proposal will be available at the Planning
Dept. counter (City Hall, basement level) by Tuesday, February 14th.

Public Meeting: (The public is welcome to attend, but these items are not part of the public hearing.)
– updates on fy12 available funds and budget
– proposed fy13 program budget
– evaluation & planning for 10th anniversary events

Open Houses: Come tell us how you’d allocate $20 million over the next 5 years.
27 March – Waban, Newton Upper Falls, & Newton Highlands (Ward 5)
22 May – Newton Centre, Thompsonville, & Chestnut Hill (Wards 6 & 7)
3 October – South Side, including Oak Hill & Oak Hill Park (Ward 8)
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Survey: Take our 8-question survey (4 questions are multiple-choice): www.surveymonkey.com/s/NYFZCDH

Next Funding Deadline: Newton’s Community Preservation Committee requires submission and discussion of a pre-proposal before it will accept a full funding proposal for any project. The pre-proposal deadline for the next annual funding round is July 1. But the sooner you submit your pre-proposal, the better for your project.
www.newtonma.gov/cpa

Hipstichers

Do you want to get creative this school vacation? Come and join at Hipstitch and learn how to sew,make your own clothes,
Learn how to read a pattern make some cosy pants, hats scarfs or lots of other fun projects! Come for 1/2 day 9-12 $45 or 1-4pm $45 or Full day $90. Full 1/2 day week $200( 9am-12pm). Full day Full week $399( 9am-4pm). Sign up now at www.Hipstichers.com.

Parent Management Training

Do you feel your kids don’t listen to you?  Does every request turn into a battle?  Do you feel all alone with these issues?  Are you ready for a solution?   The free parenting series, Parent Management Training, is enrolling now.  It will be held for 6 sessions from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays starting on February 28.  The group will me at the Newton Outpatient Center, 64 Eldredge St, 02458.  Pre-registration is required.  Call Rachel Nenner-Payton at 617-969-4925 x5958.  Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Riverside Community Care.  Join other parents of elementary-aged children and a professional facilitator to explore these issues and learn new strategies using Parent Management Training (PMT), an evidence-based program for parents developed by Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., of Yale University’s Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic.  PMT has been consistently proven to decrease behavioral problems and increase positive behavior in children.   It is highly effective in reducing tantrums, fighting, and disruptiveness.  If you have tried other methods of changing your child’s problem behavior and haven’t had any success, then PMT may be the solution for you.  This group will be co-led by Rachel Nenner-Payton, LICSW and Elizabeth Pond.  Rachel is a senior clinician at Riverside Community Care in Newton.  Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Riverside Community Care.is enrolling now.  It will be held for 6 sessions from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays starting on February 28th.  The group will me at the Newton Outpatient Center, 64 Eldredge St, 02458.  Pre-registration is required.  Call Rachel Nenner-Payton at 617-969-4925 x5958.  Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Riverside Community Care.  Join other parents of elementary-aged children and a professional facilitator to explore these issues and learn new strategies using Parent Management Training (PMT), an evidence-based program for parents developed by Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., of Yale University’s Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic.  PMT has been consistently proven to decrease behavioral problems and increase positive behavior in children.   It is highly effective in reducing tantrums, fighting, and disruptiveness.  If you have tried other methods of changing your child’s problem behavior and haven’t had any success, then PMT may be the solution for you.  This group will be co-led by Rachel Nenner-Payton, LICSW and Elizabeth Pond.  Rachel is a senior clinician at Riverside Community Care in Newton.  Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Riverside Community Care.

Historic Newton Events for February

Thursday, February 16, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
EXHIBIT OPENING
Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Anti-Slavery in the North
Be the first to crawl inside our slave ship container, stand atop the legendary well, and learn more about the enslaved people who used to live in Newton. Join us for the exciting unveiling of our completely renovated and expanded exhibition about Slavery, Abolition, and the Underground Railroad.  Enjoy light refreshments and experience the exhibit’s new hands-on interactives, audio elements, and content. Free.

Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 PM
THE MASSACHUSETTS 54th: A BLACK REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL WAR
A Vacation Week Family Program
Did you know that Massachusetts raised one of the first black regiments of the Civil War, led by a man who grew up in Newton?  Come learn about their stories, and make a popular civil-war era toy to take home.  Cost: $20 per family ($15 for members) includes museum admission, snack, and materials. Prepaid registration is required, limit 25; call 617.796.1450 to register.

Thursday, February 23, 2:00 PM
FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM
A Vacation Week Family Program
Learn about slavery in New England and what people did to fight against it.  Hear stories of escapes on the Underground Railroad, and then explore our brand new, hands-on exhibit, Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Anti-Slavery in the North. Cost: $20 per family ($15 for members) includes museum admission, snack, and materials. Prepaid registration is required, limit 25; call 617.796.1450 to register.

Thundercat Sports Clinic for Ages 7 – 12, Feb 21 – 24

Play a variety of sports including basketball, floor hockey, soccer and more all in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.  Located at Pelligrini Park.  Be sure to bring a snack and lunch.   $45.00 per day.

  • Half Day program for ages 5 – 7         9:00 – 12:00noon $120.00 ($130.00 non residents)
  • Full Day program for ages 7 – 12        9:00 AM – 3:00 PM $162.00 ($170.00 non residents)

Contact Newton Parks and Recreation at 617-796-1500 or go to www.newtonma.gov/parks for more information.  Register online at www.activityreg.com.