Monthly Archives: June 2012

Cyndi Dailey-Smith and Howard B. Smith Scholarship Fund

The Cyndi Dailey-Smith and Howard B. Smith Scholarship Fund

The Cyndi Dailey-Smith and Howard B. Smith Scholarship Fund was founded in 2012 to honor the contributions of Cyndi and her late husband Howard to the students of Bigelow Middle School upon her retirement from the Newton Public Schools.

Known affectionately by her students as “Ms. D,” Cyndi has been a music teacher and assistant principal in the Newton Public Schools for the past thirty-five years. After teaching music and music therapy at several elementary schools, she came to Bigelow in 1993 to help reopen the school. She and her colleagues built the music and theater program into a multifaceted and renowned department. Hundreds of Bigelow students enrolled in her chorus, and scores more participated in her theater productions. In 2003, she became the Assistant Principal at Bigelow, and in this role, she brought her flair and deep dedication to Bigelow students in new ways. She organized creative arts assemblies and chaperoned dances and overnight field trips, she helped guide students and parents through difficult situations with a loving hand, she greeted students everyday with a smiling face as they entered the building, and together with her husband Howard, she founded the Keystone Partners, a model mentoring program involving community volunteers and African American students. Current-day Bigelow is very much a reflection of Cyndi—a lively, creative, child-centered, caring, spirited, and strong community.

The Cyndi Dailey-Smith and Howard B. Smith Scholarship Fund will ensure that Cyndi and Howard’s impact will carry on into the future. This fund provides support for Bigelow students who might not be able to otherwise participate in cultural and curricular enrichment learning opportunities, such as field trips.

Please give on line by using the paypal button to the right.

Learn to Play the Flute

A professional flutist (New England Conservatory faculty) and Oak Hill parent teaches all levels and ages at his studio in Newton. Learn to play Classical, Jazz, and world music with a patient and dedicated teacher in a unique and creative environment. For a free trial lesson please contact: Amir Milstein, phone: 617-795-5923, email: amirmilstein@gmail.com. http://necmusic.edu/faculty/amir-milstein?lid=1&sid=3

Suzuki School of Newton Fiddle Camp

The Suzuki School of Newton is hosting a Fiddle Camp for violin, cello, and guitar players ages 9 to adult with a minimum of one year of study in their instrument. The camp features daytime fiddle classes taught by an internationally recognized faculty, student performances, a staff concert, and other summertime activities. The camp runs August 21-24 at the Newton Cultural Center. For other information, including tuition rates, camp schedule, and other details, call 617-964-4522or email us at email@suzukinewton.org. Registrations prior to June 30 receive an $80 discount.

After-school activities for 6th graders in September

There is an after-school program, open since 2008, for Brown and Oak Hill Middle School students. The Highlands After-School Program provides a safe, supervised, enriching after-school environment that meets the needs of middle school children, with a home base in a lovely building in the heart of Newton Highlands and daily use of the Hyde Gym. Transportation is arranged from the middle schools. Activities include: sports, cooking arts & crafts, field trips, community service, time to hang with friends and homework. Space is limited … enroll today. For additional information contact: Rochelle Acker, highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or call 617-999-4617 or www.highlandsafterschool.org.

7th Annual PMC Newton-Needham-Brookline Kids Ride is Saturday, June 16

Check-in starts at 8AM. The ride is from 9-11AM. Post party starts at 11AM. Riders and Volunteers can register at kids.pmc.org/newton. All children ages 3-16 can ride for the cure! Riders can ride our 0.9 mile park circuit as many times as they would like, while tykes with trikes can ride our tot loop in the parking area. Riders 9 years and up can also participate in an 8 or 17-mile road ride from Newton, going through Needham and Dover. The event will be held at the 180 Wells Office Park in Newton. Check-in starts at 8am. The ride is from 9-11am. Post party starts at 11am. The PMC Kids Ride provides kids a good time and an opportunity to do good work.  For general questions about the event, contact event chairperson Jena Greaser at jena.greaser@gmail.com.

Mathnasium Summer Program

Summer is a great time to catch up, keep up and get ahead in Math. Mathnasium Learning Center in Newton Highlands offers individualized math summer programs in a fun, relaxing environment. Schedule your 12 tutoring sessions around your vacations and camps. Save $50 when you register before June 21st.

www.mathsummer.com or Call us for a free trial (617) 340-3665

Honor Thy Teacher

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” ~ Henry Adams

It’s that time of year again to honor exceptional Newton teachers and staff who have touched your child’s life. The suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member. Newton Schools Foundation celebrates Newton Public Schools teachers and staff by:

  • Notifying honored teachers and staff of your gift
  • Listing all honored teachers and staff in the Newton TAB and Patch
  • Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
  • Ensuring your donations go to support teaching & learning in Newton schools.

To honor a teacher or staff person go to www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org.

Balasana Kids Yoga Teacher Training with Carol & Maxi

The Balasana (child’s pose) Kids Yoga Teacher Training is for anyone who works and plays with kids. We teach how to take the basic principles and poses of yoga and apply them in games and fun activities for kids from age 2 – 12. Each activity helps support concentration, balance, coordination, individual growth and group cooperation. Whether you work with kids as a teacher, therapist, coach or live each day as a parent to a child the Balasana training will teach you have to apply yoga techniques to every day life.

Led by Maxine Kozler Koven of GaGa for YoGa (www.GaGaforYoGa.com) and Carol Spickler of Little Me Yoga.
Saturday & Sunday June 16th & 17th
Saturday 12:30-8:30pm & Sunday 12:30-7:30pm
Prana Newton

$400 to register
16 hours in class training
4 hours at home studies
Unlimited support
Sign-up at PranaPoweryoga.com

Maxine Kozler Koven 917-856-6720
Carol Spickler 617-610-8910

Watertown Children’s Theatre

There are familiar and fantastic fall programs, as well as brand new ones, this fall at Watertown Children’s Theatre.  Programs for K-9 offer a little something for everyone!

Dr. Dolittle travels the world, and the cast of our fall musical will trot, fly and crawl across the stage in search of the great pink sea snail!  Open to grades 3-5, Program Orientation begins Sunday, September 9, 2012, with rehearsals beginning September 23, 2012.  Junior Players, our Dr. Dolittle companion program for grades 1-2, will meet on Mondays beginning September 24, 2012, to learn songs and dances to perform as part of the Dr. Dolittle cast.  Performances are November 16-18, 2012 in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.

In our Play Factory production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, students in grades 6-9 will spend a creepy weekend on a secret island.  A small ensemble will share the secrets that happen there, and perform them for the public in the intimate Black Box Theater.  Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, September 11.  Performances are October 26-28, 2012, in the Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.

Looking for something new for your preschooler or homeschooler?  Why not try out one of our new programs this fall?  Preschool children ages 2-5, and their parents, are welcome to join us for Play with Me, and explore dance, movement and dramatic play on Tuesday mornings, beginning September 18, 2012.  Homeschool students in grades 3-7 are invited to register for Time Travels in Theatre, exploring the history and social impact of theatre around the world.  This program runs on Thursday mornings beginning September 27, 2012.

For Kindergarten and 1st grade students, Saturday mornings are for Page to Stage and enjoying Anansi’s Adventures.  These popular West African folk tales teach students about character and culture through laugh out-loud stories, culminating in a final presentation for family and friends.  Classes begin on September 15, 2012.

Finally, our new WCT Chorus is an opportunity for students in grades 3-8 to enjoy singing together, and learn how to make beautiful music as a group, with a final concert performance for family and friends.  This compact two-week program begins November 27, 2012, and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All programs are first come, first served and subject to space availability.  Registration begins June 1, and registration forms and information are available at www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org.  For more information, visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org or call 617-926-ARTS (2787).