Have you heard of the ABCs? Not those ABCs, but the ones that have to do with bicycling? Join our friends from the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School for a virtual bike session. You will learn some tips to make sure you and your bike are ready for a full summer of biking in your neighborhood. Our program is geared towards children in grades 3-6, but since it’s virtual, invite your family members of all ages to join in! Bring your helmet.

Bike Safety for Kids
Newton Free Library, Zoom: Register HERE
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
4:30-5:15pm

Brought to you by Massachusetts Safe Routes to School in partnership with Newton Safe Routes to School, especially for the 4th/5th graders whose bike safety training was canceled this spring due to COVID-19.

Pre-registration is necessary for this event. One registration per zoom account. The day before the program you will receive a reminder email with the zoom link along with any further instructions. Register HERE.

Does your student enjoy the great outdoors? Do they love exploring the environment? Then, this is the summer class for them.
The Summer Science Academy is offering an online Environmental Science class for middle school students. This interactive class will include online videos, guided outdoor activities and daily online “meet ups” with the instructor and other participants. We hope you will join us!

Dates: July 6 – 10, 2020
Time: Video assignments and activities must be completed each day, prior to the 2:00 PM daily “meet up.”
Grades: For students entering grades 6 – 8 in the fall of 2020
Location: Your home, online and the great outdoors
Fee: The non-refundable program fee of $40 is due at the time of registration.
Registration Deadline: June 19, 2020
Additional information can be found on our website: https://microsites.bridgew.edu/case/summer-science-programs

Wednesday, June 10th 7:30pm -8:30pm
**Zoom password required, please RSVP here.

Taking Action in Times of Covid-19 and Racism, with special NPS Panel
Optional small-group breakout discussions from 8:30pm -9pm

In the wake of COVID-19 and our nation’s persistent virus of racism, how can we help the Newton community to take steps toward addressing — and preventing — racist attacks?

This City-Wide Meeting will be highlighting how Newton schools are moving thru these times, providing us with insights on we can best support our families and partner with school administrators and teachers.

Our panel of special guests will feature:

Principal Diana Guzzi from Bowen Elementary
Principal Jackie Mann from Day Middle School
Principal Henry Turner from Newton North High School
METCO Engagement Specialist and Teacher, Katani Sumner
NPS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kathy Lopes (newly appointed)
and Superintendent David Fleishman

This is an evening you will not want to miss!

Finally, we invite you to review suggested meeting guidelines prior to tomorrow night. 

My name is Maya (class of 2021). I went to Bigelow and I currently go to a small, project-based independent school in Boston.
My summer job recently fell through due to COVID-19, and because of this, I am offering tutoring/homework help via Zoom over the summer (and possibly in person if it becomes safe later in the summer).
During the school year, I worked at a library in Boston as part of the homework help program for kids grades K-8. I helped kids with mostly math, Spanish, science, and writing. We also worked on study habits and organizational skills. Sometimes, I would help keep them from getting distracted.

If you would like homework help over the summer, I will be charging $15 an hour and you can email me at
Lssbmediator@gmail.com
Thanks!
Maya

From the Mayor’s Office –

Today we shared the disappointing news with our camp families that we are not able to run any in person camps this summer. We came to this conclusion after reviewing the newly released guidelines from the state regarding day camps and thinking carefully about the types of camps we offer and the available options to modify our programs in order to meet the expected critical public health safety guidelines from the state. Thus, we realized that we weren’t able to operate our day camps safely this summer.

This cancellation is for all of Newton’s Parks, Recreation and Culture camps including Acres in the Falls, Albemarle Acres, Auburndale Station, Centre Acres, all CIT programs, Kids Korner, Outdoor Adventure, Specialty Camps, The Next Stop, Thundercat Sports, T-ville Trails, and Wilderness Survival as well as Golf lessons. We announced earlier the cancellation of Camp Echo Bridge, Camp Extreme and our Summer Vacation Camps.

I know this is bad news for so many families who rely on our programs to provide safe and stimulating activities for their children which is especially needed at this time. For many, our camps also allow parents to work.

We have some resources for you to consider for this summer:

• Virtual Camp Echo Bridge – Newton’s Camp Echo Bridge has gone virtual this summer and is offering a fun and exciting half-day morning program that will keep campers active and connected to their friends and the community. The mornings will include a mix of live and off-line camp programs that will be offered in blocks between 9 am and noon. These morning blocks include plenty of time to be in the great outdoors. On Wednesday and Friday, camp will host fantastic special events from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Camp Echo Bridge will run July 6 – Aug 14. Families can sign up for any number of weeks they choose. To guarantee your camper’s spot, you must register by Wednesday, June 10. To register, go to www.newtonmarec.com or contact Mark Kelly at mkelly@newtonma.gov with any questions.

• Babysitters. Hundreds of camp staff are now available for babysitting this summer. If you are looking for a babysitter feel free to connect with other families and staff on:
  – Newton Babysitting Group on Facebook – Click here
  – Newton Parents Group on Facebook – Click here
  – Indeed.com – www.indeed.com
  – Care.com – https://www.care.com This site requires a fee for services
  – Sittercity.com – https://www.sittercity.com This site requires a fee for services

• Camps/Programs. Later in the Summer We are hoping to be able to offer some in person programming this summer as the guidelines evolve. These programs might include short hour long classes or activities, or half-day or longer day programs depending on what is safe as the summer progresses. Any future programs that we are able to offer will be listed online for registration at www.newtonmarec.com

We will be doing the paperwork related to the cancellations and refund requests for all of our summer camps over the next few weeks. With the number of refunds we will be processing, please expect an extended turn around time to receive your refund.

I would appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate through these difficult times. Please know that this was a very difficult decision and I share your disappointment.

Gath Pool, Crystal Lake Not Opening

I must also share another piece of disappointing news. We will not be able to operate either the Gath Memorial Pool or the Crystal Lake Beach this summer.

Knowing what we do about virus transmission, the necessary health guidelines and restrictions in group settings for physical distancing and group sizes, the state guidelines, the size and layouts of our facilities and employee safety and thinking carefully about how we could operate and how people use our two aquatic sites, we have concluded that we aren’t able to safely operate either this summer. Ultimately, this decision is about protecting the health of residents and our staff.

I know this is bad news for so many people and families who rely on Gath Pool and Crystal Lake to cool off, have fun, and get some exercise, all of which is especially needed at this time.

What does this mean for Crystal Lake this summer? Near the bathhouse, the beach will be closed, the sections of the dock that are stored on the land behind the bathhouse will be off limits and trespassing will not be permitted. In the Coves, we will be posting signs reminding people to maintain 6 feet of distancing and to wear face coverings when that distancing is not possible. This is a disappointing decision but the right one for Newton. I look forward to the better days ahead including the eventual reopening of these facilities next summer.

DESE’s Return-to-School Working Group will help develop a K-12 summer and fall restart and recovery plan. This plan will include guidance in the following areas:

• Physical and virtual learning environments;
• Teaching and learning;
• Operations and business services; and
• Behavioral health and social and emotional learning.

The working group held its first meeting on Thursday, May 7 with an initial focus on possible programming for this summer. Going forward, the working group will meet regularly to draft the restart and recovery plan for the next academic year. We anticipate sharing a draft with key stakeholders for feedback before releasing a final document. Please visit this webpage for information as it becomes available.

Comments to the Return to School Working Group can be directed here: RTSWG@mass.gov 

During this pandemic, we know that many families have been negatively impacted in different ways. We wanted to be sure that all families are aware of some important resources in our community.

1. Pandemic-EBT Card: Eligible families can receive funds on an EBT card (like a pre-paid gift card) which can be used to purchase food while schools are closed. Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a crisis response nutrition program that has been activated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to apply online: The online application is easy to complete and is the quickest and most efficient way for you to confirm your eligibility and to enroll your student(s).

How to call for assistance: Please leave a message at 617-559-9038 with return phone # and a representative will reach out to assist you in completing an application. Additional information on P-EBT can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR P-EBT BENEFITS IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th

2. Grab and Go Meals- Monday-Friday from 10am-noon, children and adults can pick up a “grab & go” bag containing breakfast and lunch from one of these locations: Newton North (theater entrance), Newton South (front entrance) and 150 Jackson Rd. (parking lot).

3. SNAP Program- Do you need help buying fresh nutritious foods? You may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Apply online here. or Call 877-382-2363. Emergency SNAP benefits are for recipients who need food within 7 days. Click here for an informational video on how to apply for SNAP

These are just a few of the resources available for Newton residents. To find out more, please call 617-559-6021.

If you are looking for a way to thank your children’s teachers and other school staff, please consider donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher campaign. NSF is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance educational excellence throughout Newton’s public schools. In recent weeks, NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with a $85,500 grant for the NPS to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures.

NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

Look for a postcard in your mailbox – or donate online today on the NSF website (http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher) where you can also find out more about the programs NSF funds. Or you can mail in a donation 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.

Thank you for your support of Newton teachers and NSF!

A wonderful partnership established the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund on March 20^th as a short-term emergency fund to help families and individuals who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.After weeks of closely monitoring the fundraising, application submissions, and distribution of funds to people in need, the Fund has decided to close the application process for seeking assistance at the end of the day on Friday, June 5, 2020.

As a reminder, this fund serves all students enrolled in NPS, not just residents of Newton.

Need assistance? To apply to the fund, click here. All applications received by the deadline of Friday, June 5 will be considered. (If you have already applied and you have questions about your application status, please contact your individual Family ACCESS case worker or email NCFreferrals@familyaccess.org.)

The website for the Fund will remain active through June 30 to continue to accept donations to meet the needs of the final round of eligible applicants. Those involved with the Fund remain committed to monitoring closely the current crisis and are prepared to spring back into action if needed.

NPS’s Virtual SPACE Camp is a four week enrichment program specifically designed to enable campers to explore, learn, and connect with their peers under the guidance of highly qualified educators. Our staff is excited and motivated to be working with small groups of campers and provide them with engaging and enriching activities. Learn more about this year’s Virtual SPACE Camp here!