Monthly Archives: April 2012

Talking with our Children about Transition, Crisis and Loss

4/24/12 7-8:30pm Freedman Center
225 Nevada St., Newtonville, 02460
No Registration Required

When Bad Things Happen to Good Families: Talking with our Children about Transition, Crisis and Loss

Parents need to understand how their children might respond to stressful events, such as moving, separation/divorce, death, etc. In this workshop, parents will learn developmentally appropriate ways to prepare children for difficult changes and how to build resilience, as well as strategies for supporting them in the midst of these types of stressors.

Co-Presenters:
Lawrence Berkowitz MPA, Ed.D. is the Director and co-founder of Riverside Trauma Center. A licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts, Dr. Berkowitz has specialties in working with children, adolescents and families. He trains extensively on suicide prevention, assessment and management of suicide, and postvention activities to contain suicide contagion in schools and communities. He has consulted with numerous groups throughout Massachusetts on trauma responses and clinical issues for the past 20 years, and leads a state-wide behavioral health trauma response network. He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Western New England College and a Doctorate of Education in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University.

Joanna Hooper LICSW is the Clinical Services Director at Riverside Trauma Center. She has worked with youth, families, adults, and communities that have experienced trauma in a wide range of settings, including schools, shelters, drop-in centers, non-profit social service agencies, and private practices within the U.S. and abroad for more than 14 years. She has extensive experience working with survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, and immigration-related traumas. She holds an MSW from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Health and a Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Center at JRI.

Newton Community Farm – Summer Classes for Youth

Still looking for fun filled, hands on, educational classes for your young one this summer? Then look no further. With an exciting array of programs focused on where our food comes from and daily involvement in farm life we have something for everyone this summer. For more information and registration details please visit our website at www.newtoncommunityfarm.org/education

Little Diggers entering grades 1 – 2
Tuesdays 2 – 3:30pm 6/26 – 8/28. 1 day session
Explore the farm as we begin to learn where our food comes from. Each week we will read a story and have fun getting dirty with hands-on activities like planting seedlings or harvesting fresh produce.

Farmer in Training entering grades 3 – 5
Tuesday – Friday, 9-12:30pm, 6/26 – 8/28 1 week session
Spend time outdoors exploring plant and animal life. Discover how food gets to your table and how our choices can affect the health of our bodies, our community and our environment.

SAY Farmers entering grades 6 – 9
Tuesday – Friday, 9-12:30pm, 7/10 – 7/20 2 week session
This program combines hands on farming with an in-depth look at environmental sustainability and local food systems. Participants explore a range of important social and environmental issues through discussion, activities and games.

Brian Wicklund’s Fiddle Pal Camp 2012

August 21-24, 2012 (note: Tuesday-Friday)
For violin, cello and guitar students, it will be held at the Suzuki School of Newton, 225 Nevada Street, Newton MA 02460. Register by 6/30, and get early registration discount $60 off!

Full Tuition is $475. Final deadline is 8/18/12. Print the brochure and mail in a check: http://www.fiddlepal.com/new_england_camp.html or Phone registrations: 617.964.4522. Online registration is accepted by electronic check ($395 by 6/30/12): http://www.suzukinewton.org/donate.html or $415 if paying by credit card ($20 convenience fee).

Follow four simple steps:
1) Use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browsers,
2) Use Quickpay or set up an account,
3) Use “location”= Summer Camp,
4) Please print and mail registration form with add’l ticket, t-shirt orders.

American youth Football and Cheerleading is coming to Newton

This is a new football and cheerleading league in Newton but American Youth Football has the worlds largest youth football enrollment with 23,000 teams in 50 states. This is a grade based program. Teams will be formed for kids entering Grades 3 thru 8 in the fall. Those entering 2ndgrade are eligible to play on the 3rd grade team.

Registration is beginning now and teams will be formed by Mid-May. Please sign up as soon as possible once a team (grade) is full registration will be closed. Teams are formed based on first come first served – not ability or size based. This is a developmental program – no try outs.

Practices may begin in August in the evenings (after camp and work). We will need plenty of coaches and parent assistants – so if you love football or cheer – please join us.

To register, please see website at www.newtonyouthfootball.com

Or attend our sign up day on Saturday April 7 from 10am to 2pm at Modell’s, 210 Needham St

For more information call or e-mail
League secretary: Galen Boyer 617-877-0787 Galendboyer@gmail.com

Newton Community Farm’s 2012 Seedling Sale

Newton Community Farm’s 2012 Seedling Sale Coming Soon!

Date: Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20
Time: 1 – 3 p.m. General Public, noon – 1 p.m. Pre-sale for Friends of Farm
Address: 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459

There will be 20,000 vegetable and herb seedlings for sale, including a wide variety of each. Come select plants for your backyard and talk to expert gardeners who will be on hand to answer your questions.

The cost is $5 for a four or six pack of seedlings. Cash or check only. Bring your own boxes for carrying.

Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to the seedling sale! All are welcome. For more information, go to Newton Community Farm’s website.

Deciphering Learning Disabilities and Helping Your Student Succeed

Dr. Ellen Braaten, Director of MGH’s Learning and Emotional Assessment Program
Tuesday, April 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
Film Lecture Hall, Newton North High School

Has your student been diagnosed with a learning disability? Or are you wondering whether he or she has a learning disability? When we think of Special Education, we often think of students with visible disabilities. Yet specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, perceptual disabilities, slow processing speed, and attention issues account for fifty percent of the students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Please join the Newton North and Newton South PTSOs, The Newton Partnership, the Newton North and Newton South Special Education Departments, and the Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education for an exciting and informative discussion of learning disabilities with Dr. Ellen Braaten, director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Braaten will discuss the following:

– Getting an accurate diagnosis for your child
– The parent’s role in supporting a student with learning disabilities
– Strategies for success in high school
– Teaching the student to advocate for himself/herself
– Techniques for managing home life
– Preparing students for life beyond high school with an eye toward independent living

The evening will include time for questions and answers.

Mason-Rice Fools’ Folly Auction

Mason-Rice Fools’ Folly Auction Now Open through April 10th on Bidding For Good www.biddingforgood.com/masorice Our Auction includes many fantastic items including:

*4 Two Week Sessions at Camp Cody – Your child could go to this wonderful camp with 3 of his or her friends in NH. Check out their virtual tour www.cody.org/tour. This traditional camp offers a wide range of activities including sports, water activities such as kayaking and water boarding and activities covering many interests such as photography, chess and cooking. The bidding for each item which has a value of $2800 starts at $700 so you may find yourself a good bargain on this great camp. Lot #’s 553-556

* Get Help Navigating the College Journey – Lot # 648 is for 4 One Hour Sessions with Educational Consultant Michele Rosenthal – She will answer your questions about the college admissions and application process or how to navigate any aspect of the college journey post matriculation. Let Michele use her knowledge to help make the transition experience as stress-free and positive as possible. Her website address is www.mjrosenthal.com.

Seeking Newton Host family for Month of July

Give your family a wonderful month of cross-cultural experience this summer!    Nothing brings the world closer to home than a friendship with someone from abroad.  Educational Enrichment for Romanian Children (EERC), a small local non-profit, seeks host families for six Romanian students ages 13-15 for five weeks (late June to end of July).  The students are were chosen in a competitive process for their exceptional personal and academic qualities and speak English well.  One teen will attend Newton Environmental Science camp;  the five others will attend camps in Sudbury and Hopkinton.  You may select to host a boy or girl and preview their file.  For more information, please contact Dr. Dana Floru  at dfloru@eercboston.org,  tel 781-820-2324. Details about EERC can be found at www.eercboston.org

Drawing Class

Drawing Class for those starting out and those who want to expand their skills: Visual artist with 20 years teaching experience, Joan Mullen is offering two spring classes in her home studio in Newton Corner. Under her guidance in the Introduction to Drawing class, you will develop your drawing skills, your powers of observation and your ability to communicate visually, through sequential guided instruction. The Three-Dimensional Design/Introduction to Sculpture class will explore concepts and elements of 3-D design, developing technical skills while using a variety of materials. Joan Mullen has taught at the DeCordova Museum School, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts School, The Fuller Craft Museum and the Danforth Museum School. She is an Adjunct Professor at Bridgewater State College, where she has taught all levels of drawing and three dimensional design. Class size will be limited and is open to adults and mature teens. Intro to Drawing classes: Sundays 2:30-5:00pm 4/15-6/10 (no class 4/22); cost for 8 classes is $250 which includes studio fee, art supplies and portfolio. 3-D classes: Fridays 9am-11:30am, 4/13-6/11, cost for 8 classes is $260 which includes studio fee and sculpture supplies. Questions or to register: joanmmullen@rcn.com. Website: www.joanmullen.com.