Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

Camp Kaleidoscope Counselor Openings

Make a difference in a child’s life! Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC’s arts and science day camp in Newton, is looking for wonderful staff who know how to make a camper’s day extraordinary. Must be available June 24th – August 16th, Monday through Friday, 8:40 am – 4:10 pm unless otherwise arranged.

Staff meetings are Monday afternoons and orientation is prior to camp. Buses are available from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Framingham and Wayland. All staff enjoy a free JCC summer fitness membership. Counselors must be at least 16 years old and rising HS seniors or older, with demonstrated leadership skills and experience working with children.

Lower and Middle Camp Counselors support and nurture campers entering grades K-3 in drama, art, science, music, sports and swimming. Upper Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades 4-8, teaching or assisting in classes. Needed: Teachers for sports and games, acrobatics, knitting, and more.

Camp Kaleidoscope is a pluralistic Jewish camp open to the entire community. More info and application at https://www.bostonjcc.org/summer-and-vacation-camps/camp-
kaleidoscope/join-camp-kaleidoscope-team or call 617 558-6523. To apply, send a resume to: Camp Kaleidoscope
333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA 02459
kaleidoscope@jccgb.org

Survey responses requested

UMass Amherst is working to expand access to Pre-College summer programs for high school students at the Mount Ida campus starting in the Summer of 2020.

In order to better understand the needs of the community, they are asking Newton parents to complete this Dual Credit Survey and hope to have as many responses as possible to help understand the range of classes that would best serve the needs of your students.

Dual Credit Survey

The past ten years have seen a significant expansion of opportunities for dual credit. Trusted journals — The Washington Post, Education Week, The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and even National Education Association — all have raised questions about the efficacy of the growing dual enrollment trend. Nevertheless, the data remains clear: students who earn college credit while in high school:

• are more likely to graduate from high school
• are more likely to attend postsecondary education
• are more likely to persist and earn a post-secondary credential
• earn their postsecondary credentials more quickly
• are less likely to need remedial support
• transition to postsecondary with greater confidence
• save on tuition

UMass Amherst is committed to expanding access to Pre-College credit to diverse constituencies through the Mount Ida Campus and hopes you’ll answwer the survey.

Maximize your child’s potential

Maximize your child’s potential!  Reserve a tutor now for summer.  

  • IN-HOME tutoring that is effective and personalized
  • Serving Brookline and surrounding towns for the past 12 years
  • Offering all academic subjects, study skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT)

Call 617-227-2225  or email  info@activemindstutoring.com to learn more about our experienced tutors. Visit http://www.activemindstutoring.com/testimonials.html

Food Recovery in Schools: Why is it important?

Join Green Newton for the Earth Day presentation ‘Food Recovery: Why is it important?’

Americans waste as much as 40% of the food produced each day – enough to fill the Rose Bowl Stadium. Yet, one in seven Americans are food insecure. Wasted food expends precious resources and contributes to climate change. The Town of Wellesley is developing partnerships and programs to address the food waste problem.

Ellen Korpi, previously the Chair, and then Vice Chair, of the Sustainable Energy Committee in the town of Wellesley, and Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainable Energy Administrator, will present on food waste diversion and food rescue programs involving Wellesley residents and schools, area colleges, the Wellesley Food Pantry, and the Cambridge-based non-profit, Food For Free.

Former Newton City Councilor, Amy Mah Sangiolo, will also present, and describe exploratory efforts to develop a similar program in Newton. The goal is to work with the Newton Public Schools and its food service vendor, and other non-profits, to expand food recovery networks throughout the Greater Boston Area.

April 22nd,  7:00 pm
Druker Auditorium of the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens – talking to your kids about things that freak you out

Talking to Your Kids about Sexting, Drinking, Drugs and Other Things That FREAK YOU OUT.

The Health & Human Services Department is hosting a speaker on parenting teens. This is part of a joint effort with the school department to help parents in the community understand and set boundaries around issues of concern including: vaping, alcohol, substance use, and other risky behaviors. Presented by: Joani Geltman, MSW, Local Expert on Parent-Teen Relationships

Tickets are Free and available HERE. Flyer is available HERE.

May 1st, 7:00 pm
Newton South High School Lecture Hall

Hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services

Trial Classes for Incoming Kindergartners

Studio of Engaging Math is scheduling trial classes for rising kindergartners. The kindergarten program is a fun and playful program that introduces important abstract concepts to your youngest learners. Many children think of math as boring and dry, and they start developing math anxiety as early as first grade. This class captures children’s interest now while they don’t have any preconceptions about the subject.

Learning through play captivates children’s attention like nothing else. They’ll be  to spatial reasoning, number sense, geometry, critical thinking through engaging activities and games.

These trial classes are specifically designed for you and you child to have an opportunity to try out the program. They are FREE OF CHARGE. Please register HERE to reserve a place.

For more information please visit the website www.engagingmath.com.

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Healthy Kids Day – Inspiring kids to live up to their potential by being healthy, active and engaged! Join this free family event featuring healthy games and activities. Join in for a fun afternoon including:

• Bike decorating station and bike parade
• Book swap station – bring a book to donate and swap!
• Demonstration by players from BC Football
• Curious Creatures wild animal exhibit
• Bouncy house
• Obstacle course
• Face painting
• Live music
• Healthy snacks
• Free bike helmets and t-shirts while supplies last!

All event attendees are encouraged to bring their bikes and a book. Bring your bicycle for decorating and to join the bike parade around the track, and bring a book for the Book Swap Station to help counter summer learning loss and awaken imagination!
April 27th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Kids Night Out – Parents, drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with the Y’s staff. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25 per child for Y members and $30 for the community. A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Contact Jillian Finnigan at jillianf@wsymca.org for more information.
May 3rd, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Poetry Night – Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event features readings by two local poets, then guests are invited to participate in the open mic portion of evening to share their own written work. This event is free and open to the public.
May 3rd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Family Fun Night – Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.
May 14th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Summer Camp Open Houses – Learn about the Y’s summer camps, meet the staff, take a tour, and discover which camp is right for your child.

YMCA Camp Pikati is day camp at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton for ages 3-15
Open House May 11th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm or June 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Chickami is day camp in Wayland, MA for grades 1-10
Open House May 11th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or June 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Frank A. Day is overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-16
Open House May 19th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm or June 2nd from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner – The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner celebrates the people who help fulfill their promise to strengthen the community – our members, staff, and volunteers! Join as they introduce new board members, take a look back at highlights from 2018, recognize generous donors and the people who make a difference at the Y. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event: www.wsymca.org/rsvp
May 16th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Safety Around Water Open House – We’re creating a new wave of impact! Join the Y for a free water safety open house, which includes a swim lesson and parent resources. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Water safety and learning to swim are vital life skills that should be taught just as readily as looking both ways before crossing the street. With summer right around the corner, this is a great time for parents to remember the importance of equipping children (and themselves!) with essential water safety skills. Please RSVP to this event here: www.wsymca.org/water-safety
May 19th, 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Intro to Women’s Self Defense Class – The West Suburban YMCA is proud to collaborate with the Newton Police Department to host the Intro to Women’s Self Defense class. In this three-hour class, participants will learn risk reduction strategies, physical techniques and basic combative moves. During the final part of the class, the Newton Police Instructors will put on protective suits and allow participants to practice what they just learned on a moving person. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space in the class is limited.
May 29th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.