Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Volunteers needed to help support the override

Election Day is only 9 days away (March 12th) – that’s right, 9 days!  I know everyone is busy, but if you could help by signing up for a shift or two (or more?!) during the next  9 days it would be a big help.  What we need to help the override pass: 

1.  City-wide visibilities:  Groups of volunteers will be holding signs in key locations across the city.  The time commitment for this activity is anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours. We have many different times and locations available.  Please follow this link to sign up – http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4DACAE292-visibilities

2.  Door hanger walks:  We will be hanging door hangers in key Wards and Precincts across the city next weekend, on March 9th and 10th.  This is fun and easy – no need to actually knock on any doors.  Just hang the door hanger and on to the next house!  This is a great activity to do with kids.  Drop by for an hour, or stay for four.  Whatever works with your schedule.  Please follow this link to sign up – http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4DACAE292-door

3. Election day visibilities:  We will hold signs outside every polling location throughout the day – from 7-9am, 5-7pm, and 12-1pm at elementary school polling locations.  Please follow this link to sign up – http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4DACAE292-election

Thank you so much – we’re at the home stretch!

Chinese Cultural Festival, March 9

Enjoy a day of Chinese music, dance, martial arts, chorus and costumes at Newton’s first citywide Chinese Cultural Festival on Saturday, March 9th from 9:30 – 5pm. The Newton Cultural Center at 225 Nevada Street in Newtonville is hosting this exciting event, celebrating and embracing the value and awareness of cultural diversity in our community.

From 9:30 to noon, children can delight in the great selection of games and crafts activities, and other surprises. Adults and teenagers can participate in two morning panel discussions exploring compelling themes in contemporary Chinese American life.

The stage performances begin at 1pm, with dance, chorus, music, martial arts and other lively entertainment. This event is sponsored by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs and Newton Community Pride. Admission is free, but please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Newton Food pantries. A complete porgram is avalable at online.

 

Stand up for Peace, March 15

Join families from Oak Hill, Newton South, other schools & communities and plan to walk in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace on May 12. We’ll be gathering at Mount Ida College on Friday March 15 to celebrate and support the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and provide information for prospective walkers who are interested in learning more.

The annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Boston supports families impacted by violence. In the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, we are all more aware of the tragic toll of gun violence and the importance of standing up and saying “no” to this violence. We invite other families, individuals, and community organizations to join us.

Youth Coffeehouse to benefit AIDS orphans in Zambia, March 2

The annual Youth Coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Society in Newton will be held Saturday, March 2 at 7 PM.

This youth-produced event is a benefit for AIDS orphans at the Chawama Family Home in Zambia. All proceeds from ticket sales, snacks, tee shirts, and Zambian items go to the Chawama FamilyHome.

The event starts at 7 PM with acoustic and comedy acts.  At 9pm, local bands hit the stage.  Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students. Additional donations are welcome.  The event is held at the Parish Hall at 1326Washington St., West Newton.  More information is online or available by phone at (617) 527-3203.

 

In-home tutoring with Next Level Up

Next Level Up: in-home tutoring offers one-on-one tutoring to students who need direction in school, are struggling in one or more core subjects, or who just want to be pushed ahead.

Our highly qualified, dedicated, and compassionate tutors work on providing positive study habits, solid organization and time management skills, a clear perspective, as well as a strong academic foundation. All subjects and grade levels. To learn more,  call (781) 540-1123 or email. Please provide your phone number.

 

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.