Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Newton Mayor’s Youth Summit II, March 20

On March 20, Mayor Setti D. Warren will host Youth Summit II, bringing teens, parents and community members back together to focus on solutions to the challenges discussed during Youth Summit I in October.

Youth Summit I was a chance to hear from and talk to our teens about what they are thinking, feeling, and experiencing.

Youth Summit II is an opportunity to learn about the priorities that emerged from our discussions in October and to help us move forward as a community to take action.

The evening will include a chance to hear from the Mayor, the Superintendent, and teens, small group discussions and an opportunity for all to express their opinion on the best solutions to pressing teen issues in Newton. Have a positive impact on the well-being of youth in our city by participating in this community event. Teens and adults are invited and encouraged attend.

Location: Brown Middle School, 125 Meadowbrook Road
Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm   A light supper will be served from 5:30-6:00pm.

The summit is free but registration is required for the event. You can register by the Youth Summit website or by phone 617-796-1436, or by email youthsummit@newtonma.gov or joleary@newtonma.gov .

Youth Summit II is sponsored by the Newton Youth Commission, City of Newton Health and Human Services Department, and The Newton Partnership. The summit has been planned with the input of two Action Groups open to the public and by the Mayor’s Newton Teen Voice Program and the Keystone Leadership Program at the Boys and Girls Club. To learn more please visit www.newtonma.gov/youthsummit

 

Writing Tutor available

Does your child have difficulty with writing assignments? Tutor Jane Hirschhorn can help your child become a better writer. During two decades as a writing tutor, she has worked with all types of students from middle school to graduate school. She tailors her approach to make the best use of each student’s strengths and learning style.

For more information, contact Jane via phone (617) 244-0108 or email.

 

 

Disability Awareness Program for Parents, March 20

People with disabilities are part of today’s society – in school and at work, in our families and communities. While it is common to feel awkward around people of differing abilities, do you wish that you could be more at ease and know what to do? Or are you comfortable around one kind of disability, but not others?

Join “Understanding Our Differences” for an important and informative program on Wednesday, March 20th – Raising the Comfort Level: Communicating and Interacting with People with Disabilities.

Wednesday, March 20
7:00-8:30 pm
Newton Ed. Center (Room 304)
, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville
Pre-registration is required online.

Our presenter, Dr. David Ticchi, will share important tips to help you be more comfortable interacting with people with disabilities. In this 75-minute program, Dr. Ticchi will discuss the Respect for Human Differences Guidelines, which were developed at Newton North High School (NNHS). David is a long-time faculty member at NNHS; he also serves as Special Assistant to the President at Legal Sea Foods. He has been a speaker for Understanding Our Differences’ Blindness & Low Vision unit for more than 25 years.

 

Registration for Kindergarten Soccer Now Open

Registration for the spring kindergarten soccer season is open until March 22.

The program is open to all current Newton kindergartners, and all children who will enter kindergarten in Newton in the fall of 2013.  We play on Saturday mornings at Richardson Field in Waban, starting April 6.

Since 1993, Kindergarten Soccer has been introducing children to soccer in a fun and non-competitive environment, where girls and boys develop friendships, learn teamwork, and gain confidence.  Join us and meet other Newton families!

Kindergarten Soccer is a program of the Zervas Elementary PTO.  More information and for registration information is available online.

March programs at Historic Newton & Jackson Homestead

Historic Newton offers the following programs and events during March. Events are at the Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street, unless otherwise noted.

MAP NIGHT
Wednesday, March 20, 7:30 PM
Ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like 50 or 100 years ago? 150 years ago? Join Allison Carter in looking at our collection of historic atlases to find out the answers to questions such as: Whose farm was subdivided to make your house lot? When was your street first laid out? All ages are welcome. Free.

HISTORIC NEWTON BOOK CLUB MEETING
Thursday, March 21, 7:30 PM
At its March meeting, the book club will discuss A Murder in Virginia: Southern Justice on Trial by Suzanne Lebsock. In recounting an 1895 murder investigation and trial in Lunenberg County, Virginia, the author brings to life a forgotten episode of a small, segregated Southern town and frames it against the backdrop of racial strife in the country as a whole. The book provides a fascinating glimpse into the politics and law of the late Reconstruction. A Murder in Virginia won the 2004 Francis Parkman Prize. The book club is free and open to the public, new members are always welcome.

COMPLEMENTARY LIVES: SAMUEL E. COURTNEY AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Thursday, March 28, 7:00 PM
Learn about the “Complementary Lives” of Samuel E. Courtney and Booker T. Washington at this fascinating lecture presented by Holly Robbins of Westfield State University. Ms. Robbins will give an illustrated talk about the personal and professional relationship between Booker T. Washington and his lesser-known loyal friend, Samuel E. Courtney. Ms. Robbins will also discuss Courtney’s Newton, MA connection. Co-Sponsored by Historic Newton and the Newton Free Library. At the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street. Free.

Sunday, March 31
MUSEUM CLOSED FOR EASTER

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: This new exhibition transforms the lower gallery of the museum into a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists.

An Architect Ahead of Her Time: Annie Cobb (1830-1911): Starting in the 1870s, Annie Cobb built 16 homes in Newton Highlands and exhibited at the World’s Fair of 1893 in Chicago. She was arguably the first woman architect in America, and succeeded in fashioning a career for herself in the male world of building in a time when women’s work was mainly limited to the home.

Newton and the Civil War: In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Historic Newton will be featuring a changing exhibit showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Also be sure to visit our new Women’s Fashions of the Civil War Era exhibit.

Peeking into Newton’s Toy Chest: The values and lessons toys teach us, as shown by the Historic Newton collection, are explored in this exhibit. Children’s attractions include hands-on toys and a model train.

Mapping a New Town: 1714-1874: Maps depicting Newton’s growth over the centuries are displayed; special activities for children are also featured.

Newton Salutes-Restoring Farlow Park Bridge and Pond: In 1880 John Farlow, a successful railroad businessman, donated land to the city for the purposes of creating Newton’s first open space for recreation and relaxation. The focal point for the park was a lovely pond and handsome Adirondack style bridge. However, in the 1950′s, the water was drained from the pond and the deteriorating bridge removed. This exhibit documents the history of the park and contemporary efforts to restore it.

Register now for Spring Classes at Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts offers a full spectrum of classes and workshops beginning the week of March 25 and later.

Children’s classes (for four age groups) include Beginning Artists, Clay for Kids, Mixed-Media, Comics and much more. Fun parent-child workshops are also available. A complete list of classes is available online.

Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, with free parking and access to public transportation. Scholarships and member discounts are available. To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309, or print & mail the registration form.

Tinkershop workshop for middle schoolers & parents, March 14

Curious about 3D printing? Intrigued by innovations in advanced manufacturing?

MassBay Community College cordially invites middle school students, parents, and guardians to attend a Metrowest Tinkershop on Thursday, March 14, at MassBay’s Wellesley Hills Campus. This innovative event is designed to spark an interest in advanced manufacturing and will feature projects especially for middle school students.

Thursday, March 14, 6-8PM
MassBay Wellesley Hills Campus (just off Route 9), room 320
Light refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by Massachusetts AMP it up! Advanced Manufacturing Program and is offered in partnership with MetroWest STEM Education Network (MSEN). Event is free, but early registration is required. Register soon. Space is limited.

For more information or to register, contact Chitra Javdekar, Ph. D. , chair of engineering dept., via email. 

 

 

Remember to Vote in Special Election, Tuesday, March 12

The Newton School Committee encourages you to vote “Yes” on the three questions in the special election on Tuesday, March 12. Polls are open from 7AM until 8PM. If you plan to be out of town on the March 12, you can vote on Monday at the Newton Election Commission, 1st floor of City Hall.

On Tuesday, Newton voters will weigh in on an override proposal that is critical to the future of Newton and particularly to Newton’s schools. The 3-question override package includes $4.5 million dollars to address dramatic student enrollment growth, plus funding to renovate or rebuild and expand Newton’s oldest and severely crowded schools.

In the past decade, Newton’s student population has increased by about 1,000 students and 850+ more are projected over the next five years. Schools are bursting at the seams. Question 1 on the March 12 ballot will provide funding to renovate/rebuild and expand the Zervas School, provide modulars for Bowen, Burr, Horace Mann and Mason Rice, and hire additional teachers for the growing student population at all grade levels throughout the district.

Questions 2 and 3 on the ballot will provide funding to enable the rebuilding/renovation and expansion of the antiquated and overcrowded Angier and Cabot—Newton’s oldest school buildings—which the Massachusetts School Building Authority has named among the 30 worst in the state for building condition. Money currently lost on high energy costs and major repairs from these schools can be diverted to other schools. In addition, the expansion of the centrally located Angier, Cabot and Zervas schools will ease the population pressure on surrounding schools throughout Newton. If the overrides pass, Newton stands to receive about $27 million in state reimbursement for the projects.

Mark your calendars and don’t forget to vote YES YES YES on March 12.