Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Newton Community Farm internship opportunity for high school students

Newton Community Farm (303 Nahanton Street, Newton) is now accepting inquiries for its high school summer intern program.

Summer internships are unpaid opportunities for high school students to learn about organic and community farming in a fun, friendly environment.  No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn and work hard.  Minimum requirement for the internship is 8 am to noon, two days per week for two weeks, but can expand up to five days per week (Tuesday through Saturday) for as many weeks as desired.

If you are interested or want more information, please contact Greg Maslowe, Farm Manager, at via email.   For more information about the farm, please visit its website.

 

Remaining Town Hall Meetings for Information on Override

Below are a list of Town Hall meetings regarding the upcoming override. All meetings are free and open to the public. (Please note new date and time for Lower Falls Community Center town hall, which has been rescheduled due to the expected snow storm on Sunday.)

  • Sunday March 3rd 1:00 pm  at Ward Elementary School, 10 Dolphin Road
  • Sunday March 3rd 6:00 pm  at Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street 
  • Thursday March 7th  7:00 pm at Mason Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant Street
  • Sunday March 10th   1:00 pm  at Oak Hill Middle School, 130 Wheeler Road

The next fundraiser is around the corner: Tasty Batters Gourmet Cookie Dough, with Paula Deen’s Newest Selections

Paula’s Chocolate Gooey Butter; White Chunky Macadamia; Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk; Fudge Brownie Delight; – that’s like music! These are just a few examples of the 17 varieties of gourmet cookie dough to choose from (14 varieties are kosher)!

If you can’t make it to the Big Night on March 2, 2013, if the Magazine Drive wasn’t for you, maybe delicious cookies sound tempting? A tub yielding about 43 cookies costs $15. 40 % of the sale price goes to the Cyndi Daily-Smith and Howard B. Smith Scholarship Fund, which provides support for Bigelow Middle School Field Trips.

Sale starts this Tuesday, 2/26/13. Last day to turn in orders is Tuesday, 3/12/13. The cookie dough will be delivered to the school frozen, right before Easter weekend, on Thursday, 3/28/13, and has to be picked up that day. There won’t be any school on Good Friday, 3/29. 

The cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months, and in the refrigerator for up to six weeks. Consider buying different flavors. Here are some good reasons, why you just need to have them: What a great treat for Easter; something fun to do during spring break; a quick dessert to bring along to an invitation; to satisfy a craving anytime!!! Just scoop, bake, done, and with the pre-portioned ones you just bake, and have warm, delicious cookies with the homemade touch and gourmet quality straight out of the oven!

Thank you for supporting our school and our students!

If you have any questions, please contact either Marian McDonagh at (617) 332-5504 / mcdonaghfive@verizon.net or Berit Ramseier at 617-795-0866 / bramseier@gmail.com.

March 12th Override

Thanks to many of you for responding to the recent survey about whether or not the Bigelow PTO should endorse the override. Eighty-one percent of respondents were in support of endorsing the override. Marina Kvitnitsky is Bigelow’s liaison to the school committee for the override and is organizing efforts to inform residents about the March 12 election. Much help is needed. Please contact Marina at mkvitnitsky@yahoo.com if you can do any of the following: 

– post a lawn sign

– host a neighborhood coffee

– canvass in Newton neighborhoods.

For more information and see the mayor’s website at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/executive/override.asp.

Thank you.

 

February vacation program at Jackson Homestead

Newton Community Farm and the Jackson Homestead are teaming up to offer a Kids on the Farm-Then and Now, Vacation Week Program Feb. 21, 2 – 4 pm 

Want to know what life on a farm would have been like for kids in Newton in past centuries? Using real artifacts from the Museum’s collection and real stories from the Angino family who lived on what is now the Newton Community Farm, we will explore how kids would have helped on the farm. Participants will also plant some seeds which will then be transplanted into our garden in the spring. Location: Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street, Newton

Co-sponsor: Jackson Homestead, Cost Per Family (4 people maximum, 1 adult required)  $30 general public, $20 Friend of Farm or Historic Newton member

Visit the farm’s website for more details and to register.

 

Suzuki Prep offers Free Trial Class, Feb. 16

The Suzuki School of Newton offers free trial classes for its Suzuki Prep program for children ages 2-4 and an adult caregiver. This is a fun way to share time with your child: sing, move to music, do pre-instrumental Suzuki activities, and hear live instrument demonstrations from the SSN faculty.

Saturday, February 16
9:00-9:45am
225 Nevada Street, Newtonville

Learn what Suzuki music lessons are all about and find out how the Suzuki philosophy works. Do activities that prepare your child for Suzuki instrumental study and help choose an instrument for your child.

Please RSVP for free first class by calling the SSN Office at 617-964-4522 or email.

Effective Strategies to Reduce Anxiety in Children, Feb. 13

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education presents the presentation, “Effective Strategies To Reduce Anxiety In Children,” with Jessica Minahan of Newton Public Schools.

Wednesday, February 13
7:30 to 9:00 PM
100 Walnut Street (Room 210), Newtonville

This workshop will teach participants about classroom and home interventions for children (in preschool through Grade 8) with anxiety and related behaviors. Rather than respond with punishment- and reward-based consequences, it is important for adults to understand children’s challenges and teach them how to cope. This will allow children to improve their behavior by acquiring the necessary skills to make progress.

More information is on the NewtonPAC website.

February vacation arts classes at Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown offers February Vacation Art Workshops from February 19 – 22 for three age groups:  5 & 6 year olds, 7-10 year olds and 11+.  In Comics, Cartoons and Creative Creatures, students will use drawing, painting, clay and other media.  Younger students will create comics, cartoons and creative creatures; the older group will focus on graffiti art, t-shirts, hats and simple jewelry.

Full or half-day options available.  Morning classes run from 9:30AM – Noon.  Afternoon classes run from 12:30 – 3PM.
Supervised Lunch and Extended Day options are available.

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 Membership discounts are available.
For class descriptions, visit  the Arsenal Center’s website.

To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309.