Monthly Archives: May 2016

Honor Thy Teacher 2016

As the year begins to wind down, many of you are looking for a way to honor and thank the exceptional teachers and staff who have motivated, educated and inspired your students to grow and achieve all year.

As a way to show your appreciation to them, consider participating in Newton Schools Foundations’ Honor Thy Teacher campaign. This special program enables you to honor teachers by giving a gift to the Foundation in the name of the teacher. You may also choose to honor a special education aide, a fine arts or music teacher, or a coach or counselor who has made a difference in your child’s life. A suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member.

When you make your donation and identify the teacher(s) or staff you wish to honor, NSF will then:

· Notify the honored teachers and staff of your gift;
· Share the honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals; and
· List each of those honored in the Newton TAB.

You can make your donation on-line at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org. You can also mail it to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring. A flyer that includes a donation form was sent to the homes of elementary school students in their backpacks last month, and will be sent again before the end of the year. A flyer will also be mailed to the homes of middle school and high school students (letters to senior student households have already been mailed).

Newton Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance the quality of education in Newton’s public schools. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

High School Start Time Meeting – May 23

The district’s High School Start Time Working Group will hold a general information session on Monday, May 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Ed. Center to update the community on the status of its work. The presentation will include a brief review of relevant sleep science data, data from the surveys and case studies completed this year, and the opportunity for members of the community to ask questions, raise concerns and provide feedback directly to district leaders engaged in this discussion.

We look forward to your attendance and ask you to encourage others to attend as well. For additional information, please visit the high school start time section of the NPS website at: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime The working group will also be making its year end report to the school committee at the June 20th School Committee meeting at 6:00 pm.

Memorial Day Parade

The Annual Newton Memorial Day Parade will step off from Newton North High School on Sunday May 29th @ 3:00pm. Tyrone Powell, U.S. Airman in Vietnam, and 42 year veteran of the Newton Police Department is the parade’s Grand Marshal.

The parade features many exciting children activities along the parade route. They include Pat Patriot, Blades from the Boston Bruins, Elsa, Elmo, Winnie the Pooh, Minnie Mouse, Touch a Fire Engine with Clifford the Big Red Dog, and a giant Delta Force inflatable obstacle course.

A children’s scavenger hunt starts at 2:00pm at the Newton Senior Center. Free giveaways include American Flags, popcorn, patriotic necklaces, pinwheels and more.

Thank you for considering taking an hour out of your schedule next Sunday to come honor our veterans and those who gave everything for our country.
Please see the Parade Flyer and feel free to share with others.

College Programs @ the Library

Demystifying College Admissions, May 24th, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium. Are you thinking about college for your teen and feeling anxiety? Join Terry Greene Clark, local author of the book, Demystifying College Admissions: A Parent-To-Parent Guide to the Reality of the College Process to discuss the college application, the redesigned SAT, college athletics, financial aid and more. Terry will provide insight in the reality of the college process from her own experience of having sent three of her four children off to college in the last five years. Questions are welcome and encouraged. For parents (teens welcome). Register online.

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps, June 1st, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Alan Gelb is the author of the bestselling, Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps. Alan coaches students all over the world on their personal statements. He will be conducting a workshop on how to approach this daunting assignment, answering your questions and getting you started on the most important essay you’ve ever written. For teens and parents. Register online.

College Funding Seminar,  June 14th, 6:30 pm, Druker Auditorium: This New York Life seminar helps parents and grand-parents prepare for the high cost of a college education. Those who attend will leave with a greater appreciation for the difference a college education can make in a child’s future, as well as a host of information about grants, scholarships, students loans, 529 plans, and even some lesser-known ways to save for this life changing event. This program is meant for parents of younger children. Register online.

Highlands After School program Open House

Highlands After School program, just for middle school children, is accepting applications for the following school year, with limited space available.

Open House on June 5th from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit the website highlandsafterschool.org.

Newton Highlands Village Day 5K

The Village Day 5K is back! Parents and children are encouraged to start the morning off great by participating in the family-oriented, local Village Day 5K sponsored by Whole Foods Market. $30 per adult, $10 per child. Runners registered by May 31st are guaranteed a technical race t-shirt.

Register online TODAY: http://villageday5k.racewire.com

Can’t or don’t like to run? Then help out the Village Day 5K team by volunteering for the event. They need help with registration, the water stop at Cold Spring Park and race monitors on the course. It’s fun and you get a free tech t-shirt. Click this link to volunteer. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4ca4a72d6-newton.

Come see Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

Newton Theatre Company’s spring show The Importance of Being Earnest

June 3rd and 4th, 7:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center at Newton City Hall

June 10th and 11th, 7:30 pm
Gregorian Rugs in Newton Lower Falls

Written in 1895 but forever modern, Wilde sends up Victorian Age mores with a twist. Fun for the whole family! Buy tickets at: Newtontheatrecompany.com

Newton Community Farm welcomes Tom Ashbrook

Please come to the Barn at Newton Community Farm on June 4th for an intimate evening of stories and conversation with Tom Ashbrook, Newton resident, farm enthusiast, and award-winning host of National Public Radio’s On Point.

Tom will share stories of growing up on his family’s farm in Illinois and discuss how that experience influences him today and informs his perspective on the place of local farms in our current agricultural system. The evening will include a conversation between Tom and Newton Community Farm’s own farmer/scholar, Greg Maslowe, a question-and-answer period, and farm-fresh hors d’oevres. A tour of the Farm will precede the conversation in the Barn, at 6:30 pm.

Tickets to this event are available for $75/$70 for Friends of the Farm, and are 75% tax deductible, and you may register here.

Proceeds will benefit the Farm’s educational program, which provide hands-on experience with farming, gardening and cooking, and teaches sustainable practices for students in pre-school through Grade 12. Please help educate the next generation of stewards of our land and food!

June 4th, 7:00 pm
Newton Community Farm

NNHS sophomore collecting books and toys for African AIDS orphans

In early July, Newton North sophomore Gabe Kotsonis will be working with young children (many are AIDS orphans) at a school in Zambia. He’s collecting simple, easy-to-read hard cover books that teach colors, counting, the ABCs, etc. Books featuring animals and people of color are a plus. A few author suggestions: Margaret Wise Brown, Eric Carle, Jan Brett, P.D. Eastman and Bill Martin, but there are countless other authors who would fit the bill.

Gabe is also collecting manipulatives (toys) in good condition to bring to the children, including blocks, Legos, Lincoln Logs, matchbox cars and K’nex. Please contact Vicki,  vicki@ritterbandcommunications.com if you’d like to donate items and they’ll pick up donations at your home.

Honor Thy Teacher 2016

As the year begins to wind down, many of you are looking for a way to honor and thank the exceptional teachers and staff who have motivated, educated and inspired your students to grow and achieve all year.

As a way to show your appreciation to them, consider participating in Newton Schools Foundations’ Honor Thy Teacher campaign. This special program enables you to honor teachers by giving a gift to the Foundation in the name of the teacher. You may also choose to honor a special education aide, a fine arts or music teacher, or a coach or counselor who has made a difference in your child’s life. A suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member.

When you make your donation and identify the teacher(s) or staff you wish to honor, NSF will then:

· Notify the honored teachers and staff of your gift;
· Share the honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals; and
· List each of those honored in the Newton TAB.

You can make your donation on-line at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org. You can also mail it to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring. A flyer that includes a donation form was sent to the homes of elementary school students in their backpacks last month, and will be sent again before the end of the year. A flyer will also be mailed to the homes of middle school and high school students (letters to senior student households have already been mailed).

Newton Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance the quality of education in Newton’s public schools. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.