Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

Newton South Indoor Winter Lacrosse Clinic

Get ready for spring with a winter lacrosse clinic run by Newton South coaches and upper-class players! Open to grades 4-8, the clinic is a great way to learn, build skills, and have some winter fun at a great price! 

Players of all abilities are welcome. The clinic is part of Newton South Lacrosse team’s efforts to grow the sport in Newton, give back to the community and raise funds for South’s program and the Connection/Stride special education program at South. The format of each day will include lacrosse skills broken down by age, group and skill level, followed by small-sided games. 

Click here to sign up today!

WHEN: 

Sunday mornings: 9:00 – 10:30 am 

Dates: January 29, February 5,12 & 26 and March 5 & 12

WHERE: 

Newton South High School Field House, 140 Brandeis Rd., Newton, MA

Price: $125 

Registration: Click here to register or use the QR code on the attached flyer.

Questions? Contact Coach Briggs

Pickleball for Kids Starting in February

Newton Community Education is pleased to announce two new classes starting in February: Pickleball for Kids! While pickleball has elements of tennis, racquetball, and ping pong, it is a unique game with its own set of quirky rules. Students will learn how to keep score, the mystery behind the “kitchen” player positioning, and the many different types of shots. Instruction will include both drills and game playing. Students should wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. Bring your own paddle!
Classes will be held at Mason Rice Elementary School on Thursday evenings. We expect these classes to enroll quickly, so sign up and don’t miss out. For more information and to register, visi: https://www2.newtoncommunityed.org/pickleball-for-kids/

Piano Lessons

Gloria Jasinski, Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory. 30+ years teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Phone: 617.566.9704, email: piano566@comcast.net

Newton Rotary Foundation Gift Drive

Make every 0-10 year old child’s holiday season a happy one by donating new, unwrapped toys, games, electronics, sporting goods, and gift cards from local merchants – to any Newton branch of The Village Bank.  

Don’t have time or confidence to shop yourself?  Let us do it for you, by making a cash donation to The Newton Rotary Foundation – click HERE.Thank you for your generosity.

HELP NEWTON NEIGHBORS COLLECT MOUNTAINS OF FOOD DONATIONS FOR OUR LAST INITIATIVE OF 2022! 

We are halfway through our drive to benefit the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry! We hope to collect mountains of nonperishable foods including cereal, pasta, rice, canned tuna, canned vegetables and fruit, and other similar items to share with families that use the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry! Donations are starting to trickle in but we can’t do this without your support!

Looking for a way to give back to your community? Copy this post and share it with your networks. Organize a mini-drive at your school, organization or place of worship! Going to the grocery store? Pick up a few extra items to share with your neighbors!

Donation dropoff locations:

  • 137 Annawan Road, Waban (leave in box on front steps)
  • 1525 Commonwealth Avenue, West Newton (leave in box at front door)
  • 22 Florence Court, Newtonville (leave in box on front porch)
  • Baystate Physical Therapy, 29 Crafts Street, Suite 570, Newton
  • Or donate directly to Arabic Baptist through their website

A message from Pastor Samy Ibrahim, Arabic Baptist Church:

Your support and help is so valuable and very important for our food pantry. We are so appreciative to you and your team. May God bless you richly.

Stress Survival Guide Workshop” for teens ages 13 and over

The City of Newton Youth Services Division is partnering with Families for Depression Awareness, the Newton Free Library, and the Newton Youth Commission to host a “Stress Survival Guide Workshop” for teens ages 13 and over on Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Newton Free Library.   This workshop led by Families for Depression Awareness staff, will teach teens how to identify symptoms of stress in themselves, their peers, and their family, identify strategies to manage day-to-day stress, as well as how to find help if things start to feel like “more than just stress.”  Teens will create a survival guide of their own by utilizing a workbook tool created by FFDA!  Light refreshments will be available!  To register CLICK HERE.  

NGBA Seeking Paid Referees

Basketball Referees Wanted! Earn money and have fun! Newton Girls Basketball is looking for adults and high school students who are able to referee recreational basketball games for girls in grades 3 – 8. Applicants must be age 14 or older.  Students are required to get a work permit.  No experience is necessary, though familiarity with the game is expected. We will provide training and support.  

When

Games are on Saturdays 

The season runs November 28, 2022 – March 11, 2023

Where

Day and Bigelow Middle School  
Game start times between 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Referees are paid $25 for working 3rd – 5th grade games and $30 for working 6th – 8th grade games.

For more information or to express your interest, please email 
registrar@newtongirlsbball.com.

ActiveMinds Tutoring

During this Holiday season, keep your hearts warm and minds warmer with ActiveMinds Tutoring. Shine bright with our tutors who care. 16 years providing tutoring for all academic subjects, studying skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT). 

Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about our personalized plans with experienced tutors.

617.227.2225 | dbrooks@activemindstutoring.com |http://www.activemindstutoring.com/

Holidays Can Be Stressful — We’re Here to Help 

The holidays are a time of joy, comfort, family and tradition for many in our community. For others, the reality is that this season can be filled with anxiety, grief, and loneliness. 

Newton’s social workers note that, most likely, we all experience a mixture of these emotions during the holiday season when stress increases and obligations feel constant. Stress can impact us all differently and they suggest we take time to care for ourselves to ensure our overall health and well-being. Caring for ourselves may include saying “no” without guilt, asking for help without shame or embarrassment, treating yourself with kindness and compassion, and finding time for a walk outside, for adequate rest, and for healthy nutrition.  

Our social workers in Newton’s Health and Human Services Department have gathered mental health resources and substance use resources should you or a loved one need additional support during this time. Please call 617-796-1420 to speak with the team in Social Services.  

Parenting Workshops this December – Start the new year feeling clear, confident, and connected with your family! 

Parent Coach Amy Behrens, M.Ed. is offering two unique mindful parenting workshops in December for parents who want to bring more joy and confidence to their parenting as we head into the holiday season and new year.  Parents of children of all ages are welcome. 

Family Culture and Winter Kickoff Online Retreat – Friday, Dec. 9th 9am-1pm OR Saturday, Dec. 10th 10am-2pm – choose the day that works best for you. 

We are entering the winter holiday season, and holidays tend to illuminate or exacerbate ingrained family patterns. So, NOW is a great time to pause and be intentional about shifting patterns to the “family culture” you desire.

Through individual and group reflection, direct teaching, and a transformational guided meditation – you will:

  • Develop vision and tools for your family
  • Get inspiration to make winter school vacation fun and enjoyable
  • Understand of the “C’s of family culture” 
  • Experience warm camaraderie with a group of like-minded parents
  • Receive expert tips from a parent coach with years of experience working with families
  • Create action steps you can start using right away.

Parenting Mantras Online Workshop – Friday, Dec. 16th 11am-12:30pm

Learn how to design your own personal parenting “mantras” – words and phrases that help you feel more calm, centered, and effective as a parent when dealing with difficult situations with your kids. Instead of yelling and then feeling bad, you can learn a new way to communicate with power and wisdom that can feel almost magical. 

This session will include: 

  • A Guided Reflection to give you insights that bring clarity
  • The Create-Your-Own-Mantra Tool to transform unpleasant patterns
  • Shared wisdom of a group of like-minded parents
  • Real-time experiences with how mantras work
  • Relief and peace of mind that your parenting experiences will feel much better

Learn more about Amy and her parent coaching approach HERE. Read her blogs HERE.