Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

Dance Jam Fitness with Hadassah Boston

Join Hadassah Boston to get moving for Heart Health Awareness month. Come to ‘Dance Jam Fitness’ a dance class for all fitness levels. Absolutely no dance experience necessary.

Cost is $25.00 and includes the class and all-day use of the Life Time facilities. RSVP by visiting www.hadassah.org/events/dancejam.

February 3rd, 11:45 am
Life Time Athletics, Chestnut Hill

Study on Stress and the Teen Brain

A researcher and clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital is part of a group conducting research examining the impact of stress on the teen brain. They want to understand the factors that makes some teens more resilient in the face of stress and what make some teens more susceptible to developing depression.

They’re currently conducting this study with female teens ages 14-18, with and without depression. Please see the brochure Stress Study for more information and contact research research investigator Emily Belleau at 617-855-4245 or ebelleau@mclean.harvard.edu for more details about the study.

Winter Etiquette Classes

The etiquette classes at the Etiquette Academy of New England for grades 2-12 cover topics such as improving social and communication skills, projecting confidence, combating shyness, strengthening self-esteem and leadership skills, navigating friendships, resolving conflict, understanding social cues, basic manners, table manners, and much more!

Now enrolling for the 5-week program starting January 26th and 1-day programs in Boston, Brookline, Newton & More! For more information and to enroll visit theetiquetteacademy.org!

What’s Happening at the YMCA

Try the Y
Wednesdays in January are free! Present a valid ID at the welcome desk and use the facilities for the day.

Resolutions Fitness Challenge – Starts the week of January 14th
New year, new you! Sign up for the Y’s Resolutions Fitness Challenge to jumpstart your health and fitness goals for 2019. Join a team led by one of the Y’s certified personal trainers, and compete against the other teams to see whose team can lose the greatest percentage of weight and body fat during the eight week challenge.

Pickle Ball – Tuesdays & Thursdays
The West Suburban YMCA hosts drop-in pickle ball on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the gymnasium. Pickle ball is free for West Suburban YMCA members and $5.00 drop-in fee for non-members.

Poetry Night- February 1st from 7:00-9:00 pm
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.

February Vacation Programs – February 19-22nd
Do your kids need something to do while they are off from school for February vacation? The West Suburban YMCA is offering full day and half day program options February 19th through February 22nd. Sign up for a program to ensure your child has a fun vacation and you have peace of mind! Call 617-244-6050 for more information.

Lifeguard Training and Certification Course
Become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard during February school vacation week. Learn the practical skills necessary to recognize a critical situation and provide lifesaving care to individuals in the water. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications are included in the course. This is a four-day class that meets February 18th – 21st from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Students must be present for ALL days. Visit wsymca.org to register or call 617-244-6050.

Spring YBA (Youth Basketball Association) League
Registration is open for the Y’s spring YBA league which runs March 2nd – April 14th. YBA is a fun league for boys and girls ages 4-12 to learn and play basketball. The league is separated into four age groups: Mini (ages 4-5), Biddy (ages 6-7), Rookie (ages 8-9) and Collegiate (ages 10-12). All leagues are co-ed, and volunteer coaches are encouraged. For more information and to register, visit wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050.

Summer Camp Registration opens January 14th
The West Suburban YMCA offers three summer camps: Camp Pikati at the Y, Camp Chickami in Wayland, MA and Camp Frank A. Day in East Brookfield, MA. Each camp offers children a unique and engaging summer experience. Attend one of the Y’s upcoming camp info sessions to learn more about YMCA summer camps.

Camp Info Sessions at the Y
· January 24th – 4:30 – 6:30 pm
· February 6th – 9:00 – 11:00 am
· February 11th – 3:00 – 5:00 pm
· February 20th – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
· March 2nd – 2:00 – 4:00 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/about/work-here.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Teens Making Smart Choices – January 8th

Teens and adults are invited to the FREE Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live music; free refreshments; and fun.

Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from e-cigarettes and personal safety to healthy eating and body confidence to stress reduction and mental health support.

See expo FAQs here.

See the current exhibitor list here.

Watch a short video about the expo here.

The Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices Expo is the place to be for parents/guardians and their teens.

Sponsored by the Newton North PTSO.

January 8th, 5:00-7:30 pm
Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street

Boomerang Bags

Boomerang Bags is part of a global effort (860 participating communities) to reduce waste and incorporate re-usable shopping bags into daily living.

The Newton Boomerang Bag community was started this fall by Lisa Monahan (Newton resident/business owner), and Olivia Scheff (NSHS student). BB bags began in Australia when two women who were interested in doing something to help the environment created a model that could be used all over the world. Volunteers from all walks of life get together to make re-useable ‘boomerang bags’ using recycled materials, as a means to provide a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. Here is a link to the BB website for more info http://boomerangbags.org.

Click here for information about the next event coming up soon: January 26th.

Chemistry tutor available

Improve your grade in your Chemistry course. Prepare yourself for SAT 2 Chemistry exam. Lida Famili, a retired Milton Academy Chemistry teacher, is offering tutoring in Chemistry courses and SAT 2 Chemistry test. Lida has taught Chemistry for 25 years and has dozens of references.

Walking distance to Newton South high school. Please call or text at 617-780-5461 or email lidafamili@gmail.com.

Summer Camp Opportunity for 11 Year Olds

CISV (Children’s International Summer Village) is a UNESCO partner with chapters in 200 cities among 69 countries around the world. CISV Villages, which started in 1951, bring children from many countries together to learn from each other about the world around them while taking part in a variety of educational, cultural and fun activities.

CISV Boston chapter is forming a delegation of two boys and two girls who, along with an adult leader, will join the Village in Waterloo, Canada to represent the nation and culture of USA and the city of Boston. Children will meet, live with, learn and play with other delegations from 10-12 different countries. This is a truly unique experience open only to 11 year old children, the impact of which will last their lifetime as global citizens.
For questions, visit http://www.cisvboston.org or email boston@cisvusa.org