Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

Registration for the NGBA 2021-2022 season will open October 2nd

NGBA is a recreational basketball league for Newton girls with fun for beginners and experienced players alike! Games are played on Saturdays for all grades, starting December 4th and continuing into mid-March; for Grades 3-8 practices are for 1-hour on one evening during the week (Mon-Thurs). You will be able to select one day on the registration form that you are NOT able to practice. Otherwise practice times will be assigned according to coach availability. There are no weekday practices for Grade 2. The Grade 2 program is focused on a fun, learning environment.

To obtain additional details and to find out more about the league,
visit the NGBA website at

http://www.newtongirlsbball.com/

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton!

Newton’s first official Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration will take place on Monday, October 11 from noon-5pm, at Albemarle Park. Indigenous Peoples Day Newton 2021 will spotlight and celebrate the music, dance, poetry, and the visual art of diverse Native artists who currently live in the Northeast. It will be an outdoor, daytime, family-oriented cultural and spiritual celebration that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all residents of Newton and neighboring towns. Organized by the Indigenous- led, volunteer IPD Newton Committee, this ceremonial celebration is made possible through the support of Newton Community Pride.

The goal is to make concrete our city’s recent recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day as an official city holiday. The intention is for this event to become a beloved annual event on our city’s calendar.

Over 40 artists, performers, speakers, vendors, and community organizations will attend. Refreshments can be purchased from onsite food truck(s).  Spend the afternoon in celebration, ceremony, and support of the rich Indigenous traditions that are an enduring and vibrant facet of our community!

“Understanding Depression: An interactive program for parents and teens” Wednesday, October 13th, 7pm

Understanding Depression: An Interactive Program for Parents and Teens sponsored by The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide and Teen Health Comics.

Guest speakers  Susan Tellone, RN  Clinical Director of SPTS and Giuliana Pandolfi, BS  Crisis Counselor at Call2Talk
Wednesday  October 13, 2021 7:00 PM

Learn about signs and symptoms of depression, warning signs for suicide risk and how to start a conversation and get help if you are concerned about a friend or loved one.   This program introducesPromise Me, a comic designed to help teens learn about depression and suicide prevention.  https://teenhealthcomics.org/

Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.  Registration Link:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpd-6opj0iE9yx-_AjGWav5ek7RsMN31wU

8th Annual Newton Turkey Trot 5K, November 20, 2021 – in-person!

Registration is open for the 8th Annual Newton Turkey Trot 5K, November 20, 2021 – in-person!

Register here by October, 27th to receive a free Turkey Trot T-Shirt

We hope that the 2021 race will have something for everyone; a traditional in-person race day on Saturday, November 20th, and an option to run a virtual race.  

As always, we’ll be raising much needed funds for the Newton Food Pantry, and new this year, Journey Forward.

Visit https://www.newtonturkeytrot.org for more information.

ActiveMinds Tutoring

Transition to In-Person with ActiveMinds Tutoring 

Reconnect after remote learning! Offering face-to-face support and mentorship. 15 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 | info@activemindstutoring.com | http://www.activemindstutoring.com/testimonials.html 

Fall Sports Training Programs at the Hyde Center!

Fall Training Programs in Newton – Basketball, Speed & Strength

BAT has been running training programs in Newton for the past 5 years and works with dozens of local families across each age group. We will run a full slate of programs for each grade level this fall. We have 2 basketball group options for each grade level with weekday and Saturday options! All of the basketball clinics will take place at the Hyde Center, as we rented The Hyde this school year from 3-7 PM on most weekdays. We also offer 1-1 and partner training as well!

We also have strength and speed enrollment on the site for our Youth & MS groups and will offer multiple drop in options for our HS athletes as well. Speed sessions will take place at the Hyde Playground or Weeks Field. Our strength training takes place at 360 Fitness in Needham.

Register for fall programs by August 20 to get a 15% early bird discount! Use promo code BAT50 for $50 off 8+ session drop-in packages. We also offer notable discounts for signing up for multiple programs and for signing up 2 kids / referrals.

For more information, you can email Chaim – info@bostonathletictraining.com

Tutoring Available

TUTOR–Former Brookline, Lexington and Concord teacher (30 years experience in grades 1-12, elementary classrooms, middle and high school English teacher, Certified Literacy Specialist.)  Listed as “executive functioning” specialist on the Concord SPED website.  Masters + 60 post-grad credits.  
Available to tutor students in academic subjects, writing, and study / organizational skills.  
SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE test prep.  College essay support.
If interested, please contact me, and I can share my resume and provide excellent parent and professional references.
Cynthia Carpentercscarp@gmail.com(617) 949-1522

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton 2021

Join your friends and neighbors on Monday, October 11 from 12-5pm at Albemarle Field in Newton for a family-oriented celebration of Indigenous culture, art, and history! Indigenous Peoples Day Newton 2021 will spotlight and celebrate the music, dance, poetry, and visual art of diverse Native artists that currently live in the Northeast. It will be an outdoor, daytime, family-oriented cultural and spiritual celebration that is open, accessible and welcoming to all residents of Newton and neighboring towns.

The goal is to make concrete our city’s recent recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day as an official city holiday. The intention is for this event to become a beloved annual event on our city’s calendar.

Over 40 artists, performers, speakers, vendors, and community organizations will attend. Refreshments can be purchased from an onsite food truck(s).  Spend the afternoon in celebration, ceremony, and support of the rich Indigenous traditions that are an enduring and vibrant facet of our community!

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Become a YMCA Member: Pay $0 ‘til October!

You already belong, you just have to join. Join the West Suburban YMCA anytime in September and you’ll get the month free (excludes Youth Memberships and Group Memberships).

The West Suburban YMCA is Hiring

Full Time and Part Time Job Opportunities

Discover a great place to work! Do meaningful work and be part of a welcoming and inclusive team at the Y. The West Suburban YMCA is currently seeking applicants for several roles within the Membership, Fitness, Aquatics, Child Care, and Sports Departments. Open positions include:

  • Afterschool Program Group Leaders
  • Preschool Teachers
  • Swim Instructors
  • Lifeguards
  • Personal Trainers
  • Member Service Representatives
  • Birthday Party Coordinator
  • And more!

All employees receive a free membership to the Y, discounts on Y programs, childcare, and camps, ongoing professional development, and other benefits. To view all open positions and apply online, visit www.wsymca.org/careers.

Group Exercise Classes – Free for Members

Indoors, Outdoor, or Virtual Classes

The West Suburban YMCA has a diverse schedule of group exercise classes to meet your fitness needs! We have a variety of indoor, outdoor, and virtual classes including outdoor spin, outdoor bootcamp, yoga, Zumba, pilates, and more. New classes are being added each month! Face masks are optional for outdoor classes, provided safe distancing is in place. Face masks are required for indoor classes. View the schedule: www.wsymca.org/schedules.

Sign Up for YBA – YMCA Youth Basketball League

Registration opens October 1st

Ages 4-12, Kids of all genders welcome!

YBA (Youth Basketball Association) is a fun league for kids ages 4-12 to learn and play basketball. Leagues are separated by age groups, and teams practice for the first thirty minutes of the session to improve skills and play a game for the second thirty minutes to utilize skill and teamwork. Our YBA league will be modified to comply with all CDC, state, and local youth sports guidelines. Register beginning October 1. Season starts Saturday, November 20. Parent volunteer coaches are highly encouraged! Contact Josh Downes at joshuad@wsymca.org for more information or to register.

Annual Fall Festival – Free Family Event

Saturday, October 16 from 2:00-4:00pm

Celebrate fall at the Y as we host our annual free family festival. Wear your costume and join us for a jam-packed afternoon of Halloween-themed activities, games, crafts and entertainment. Cider and snacks will be provided! This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend! Please note: As much as we love your four-legged friends, pets are not allowed on our track and field. Please plan to leave your dogs at home.

Support the YMCA at the Spooky Soiree

Saturday, October 30 from 5:30-8:30pm

Join us for a Halloween-themed cocktail party with games, raffles, and spooky fun, with all proceeds supporting the Y’s financial aid program. We will transform our outdoor tented area into a beautiful party space that will allow us to gather safely to celebrate the West Suburban YMCA. The night will feature fantastic hors d’oeuvres and dessert provided by Above and Beyond Catering, surprising signature cocktails, and many more scary delights! Costumes and festive attire are encouraged but not mandatory. For more information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Andrea Newman atandrean@wsymca.org.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs

The West Suburban YMCA is a nonprofit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

City of Newton – HHS Domestic Violence Program

How to Help & Be Helped: Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships and Finding Support

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and we are partnering with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Jewish Families and Children Services to learn about different kinds of abuse, how to safely assist someone in a controlling relationship and where to find support resources in Newton.

Thursday, September 30th, 6:30-8:00pm
Register for this webinar at: www.newtonma.gov/socialservices