Newton Neighbors is organizing another Drive for Five for the Newton Community Freedge.

Check your pantry, ask a neighbor, pick something up next time you go to the store! Help us stock the Freedge with these five high-demand items:

1. Individually wrapped snacks (any kind of snack, granola bars, cereal bars or protein bars, goldfish, pretzels, etc.)
2. Pasta and sauce
3. Dried beans or rice (chickpeas, black beans, wild rice, etc.)
4. Cooking oil
5. Soaps (hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

Drop off donations from Tuesday, January 31 – Thursday, February 9 at the following addresses:

• 174 Oliver Road, Waban
• Fulfilled Goods, 612 Washington Street, Newtonville
• Cork and Board, 1207 Centre Street, Newton Centre
• Just Next Door, 327 Auburn Street, Auburndale

To learn more about the free 24-hour community refrigerator and pantry at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, join the Newton Community Freedge Facebook group.

Newton Public Schools (NPS) is hosting an important forum on the 2023-24 (FY24) school year budget. This budget discussion will include information on the proposed operational override and its impact on the FY24 budget. Details are as follows:

• Where: Newton North Auditorium (457 Walnut St.)
• When: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
• Time: 7:00 p.m.

If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on NewTV.

The evening will include a short presentation and then an opportunity for questions and answers. You may ask your question live during the forum or you can submit a question in advance using this Google Form.

NPS Budget Questions – Google Form

For reference, below is a link to the presentation shared with the School Committee last week that provides a preview of next year’s budget. ​​​​​​​

FY24 Budget Preview to School Committee – January 23, 2023

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER!

Please join Principal Coston, Bigelow FORJ, and our Boston and Newton families tomorrow for a fun movie night in Bigelow’s auditorium featuring Black Panther: Wakanda Forever! After the movie, please stay for a brief Q&A session to discuss themes in the film that reflect the world’s experience of race, gender, colonialism, and identity.

Pizza, popcorn, and water will be available. ($1 each)

Please RSVP HERE to let us know you are coming!

The Bigelow PoPS (Parents of Performing Students) is a community of dedicated parents that supports the performing arts through advocacy, fundraising, coordination, and volunteering. Any parent or guardian who has a student in Orchestra, Chorus, Band, A Capella, or Drama is welcome and encouraged to participate in the PoPS and support our students and performing arts faculty.

Please join us at our next virtual meeting, Tuesday, February 7 from 7:30-8:30. We look forward to getting to know you!

Zoom link: Join here

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available to all Massachusetts residents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in more than 200 languages.

The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services.

For more information, please visit the Mass Help Line website or the FAQ. Anyone with questions or concerns about the help line can email the help line director at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.

The next Zoom meeting of the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA) will be held on Thursday, February 2, at 7:30 PM. 

This meeting will feature Marc Hershman, AIA, of MSH Architecture Associates who will address the critical issues associated with zoning reform and how they pertain to Newton Corner.  Other agenda items include the upcoming Department of Transportation Meeting on improving rotary traffic and the historical preservation status of 41 Washington Street. 

If you are not yet a member of the NCNA and would like to join and attend the meeting, please contact Robin Boger at: robinboger.ncna@gmail.com. Thank you.

About Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA)

The Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA) is an organization of Newton Corner residents working together to build our community. We hold a Zoom meeting at 7:30 PM on the first Thursday of every month where local issues are discussed and guest speakers make short presentations and respond to questions.  Only members of the NCNA receive Zoom invitations; membership is free. Meetings are strictly limited to one hour and extensive notes are sent to all members after each meeting.

PLAN YOUR TEEN’S PERFECT SUMMER  – The 18th annual Teen Summer Expo will be Monday, February 6 at Newton South High School, 5:30-8:00pm in the cafeteria.

Meet with directors of a curated group of meaningful summer enrichment programs for kids ages 12-18. Options for every interest and budget.

FREE and OPEN TO ALL. PreRegister at www.TeenSummerExpos.com and share with friends on Facebook.

On Monday, January 23rd, Interim Newton Public School (NPS) Superintendent Kathy Smith and Assistant Superintendent/Chief Financial & Administrative Officer Liam Hurley presented a Budget Preview for the 2023-24 school year to the School Committee. The presentation described the impact of $4.5 million that would be provided by the March 14th Override and included two budget scenarios: one if the Override passes and one if the Override fails.

You can review the power point presentation here and can watch the School Committee presentation from Monday on NewTV here. (The budget presentation begins at the 38 minute mark.)

Do you have questions about the Override?

There will be a Virtual Town Hall meeting about the March 14 Override this Thursday, January 26, starting at 7:00 p.m. 

Join the zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82496361444. 

For more information visit:

• The City of Newton website, meetings and presentations
• Vote Yes for Newton  (Instagram or Facebook)
• Newton Beacon (“an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan digital news organization reporting exclusively on Newton, Massachusetts”)
• League of Women Voters

As the weather turns cold, the Newton Food Pantry Teen Ambassador Program is collecting winter gear to distribute to Newton Food Pantry clients! Spread some love this winter and drop off new or gently used winter hats, mittens, gloves, snow pants, jackets, and socks (new only) in sizes from kids to adults.

Donations can be dropped off at Bigelow from now until Tuesday, January 31st. The collection bin is blue and right in front of the Bigelow front office.

Show your New England spirit by walking, biking, rolling, or taking the bus in the winter! Join students across Massachusetts in celebrating Winter Walk, Ride & Roll Day on Wednesday, February 1. Newton families, please do your part by keeping your sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

Notice a problem (potholes, damaged sidewalk, faded or missing crosswalks) on your route? Be part of the solution and alert the City of Newton via Newton 311.

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/2sVNZRJTC

Twitter: https://twitter.com/newtonsafe