Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

Kids and Middle School Yoga and Mindfulness Starts Sept 23

A local, independent yoga studio based in Watertown, Artemis Yoga is offering new classes this fall for kids and middle school girls. You may learn more here: https://www.artemisyoga.com/classes/kids-teen-classes/

New Fall Kids & Middle School Girls Yoga and Mindfulness Classes – Start Sept 23! 

Today’s kids love learning yoga. From stretching in poses to relaxing with soft bolsters, children and pre-teens simply enjoy how yoga makes them feel. Adding in a bit of mindfulness with breath work and self-care, classes with Tracy Affonso from Artemis Yoga are a wonderful, supportive environment just right for today’s busy kids.

  • Kids Yoga and Mindfulness – K-Gr 2 (age 5-7)
    Thursday, September 23 – December 16 – 3:30pm – 4:15pm
  • Kids Yoga and Mindfulness – Gr 3-5 (age 8-10)
    Thursday, September 23 – December 16 – 4:30pm – 5:30pm
  • Middle School Girls Yoga & Mindfulness
    Friday, September 24 – December 17 – 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Artemis Yoga indoor classes are fully-masked,  limited in numbers and in a well-ventilated room with the latest in filtration and fresh air circulation and air purification.   

  • Masks required regardless of vaccine status. 
  • State-of-the-art HVAC system continuously circulates fresh air, filters the air and purifies the air in each classroom and hallway.
  • Ventilation details: Merv13 Filtration, Continuous Fresh Air Exchange, Bipolar Ionization Air Purification.

For more information or to register, please visit:
https://www.artemisyoga.com/classes/kids-teen-classes/

Elizabeth Home Decor & Design, Inc.

Elizabeth Home has recently expanded its coffee shop hours and is now open from 8am-4pm every weekday! The coffee shop and design studio is the perfect place to meet up after drop-off or before pick up!

Elizabeth Benedict is a Bigelow parent whose coffee and flower shop at 242 Commonwealth Ave.

242 Commonwealth Ave
Chestnut Hill, MA. 02467
Studio: 617.965.0069

Home

City of Newton – Requesting All Community Members!

What values do you think should guide village center zoning updates? How do you experience Newton’s village centers and what do you hope for their future? The City of Newton is asking community members these questions until the end of October 3rd! If you only have a couple of minutes, ‘vote’ on at least 10 statements in this online interactive forum. If you have more time, do a Vision Kit with your neighbors and family. Read more about how you can contribute your thoughts in this first phase of engagement for village center zoning districts in our Zoning Redesign July newsletter!  

Thanks in advance for considering!

Best,

Nevena                                                   

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nevena Pilipović-Wengler | Community Engagement Planner

Pronouns*: she, her, hers

City of Newton Planning & Development Department

1000 Commonwealth Ave | Newton, MA 02459

Desk: (617) 796-1140

npilipovicwengler@newtonma.gov | newtonma.gov/gov/planning

LEARN-TO-SKATE LESSONS IN THE NEWTON AREA

Do you want to introduce your kids to ice skating or get them ready for hockey, recreational or figure skating and give them the opportunity to skate with other kids their age?   Bay State Skating School is a non-profit organization that has for more than 50 years dedicated itself to introducing kids to the joys of ice skating.  Professional Instructors teach Recreational, Figure and Hockey skating skills to children ages 4 to 18 years old – from absolute beginners to experienced skaters.

Classes are held in 10 rinks throughout the Newton– Boston area and registration is open now.

For more information, check out our website and registration information at www.baystateskatingschool.org.

Newton Kindergarten Soccer – Fall 2021

Registration is now open for the fall season of Newton Kindergarten Soccer. The fall program is for children entering kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year. The games will be played at Oak Hill Middle School on Saturday mornings beginning September 11th. To be eligible, children must live or attend school in Newton, including private schools. The cost is $90 through August 27th.

To find out more or to register, please visit our website: http://kindergartensoccer.org/.

NEWTON & NPS – COVID-19 Links

Newton Public Schools – COVID-19 Updates: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/COVID19
City of Newton – COVID-19 Updates: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/health-human-services/public-health/covid-19
City of Newton – Mayor Fuller’s Email Updates: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/mayor-fuller/updates
Massachusetts Department of Health – COVID-19 Updates: https://www.mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Massachusetts Department of Education – COVID-19 Updates: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19
MA Governor’s Office – COVID-19 Updates https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
World Health Organization (WHO) https://covid19.who.int
This is not a political post or statement –
This is intended to allow our users a resource for finding official information if they are seeking it.

Register now for the Tour de Newton bike ride – Sept 19th

Tour de Newton is Newton’s very own family-friendly biking event, is back for 2021!  The 9th annual Tour de Newton will take place on Sunday, September 19th starting at 9AM. Registrations by 9/1 pay early-bird rates: $10 child, $15 adult, under 3 FREE. Register now at https://www.bikereg.com/tour-de-newton2021.

TDN 2021 will have five bike routes, four of which will be 12 – 14 mile rides starting at separate locations (Newton Centre, West Newton, Newtonville, and Waban)). The fifth route will be approximately 20 miles and depart from Newton Centre.  Each bike route will travel to several other villages, experience fun surprises, see hidden Newton treasures and back roads, and lead to a rally at Newton City Hall with all the riders.  As always, our rides are guided, family-friendly, with no rider left behind. This day is an opportunity to come together as a community, demonstrate how bike-able Newton is, show people that they have choices when it comes to transportation around the city, and to have fun.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS!  

Bike Newton, in conjunction with the Office of Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, is excited to be sponsoring the Tour. Visit https://www.bikenewton.org to learn more about biking in Newton and to join other local group rides. 

NPS District News – August 11, 2021

NPS District News

August 11, 2021

Message from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

We have certainly learned from this pandemic that we must stay flexible and remain ever vigilant as the environment can change quickly. Since I last wrote two weeks ago, the COVID situation has indeed continued to evolve. As a district, we have continued our planning for health and safety measures, academic learning, and social and emotional supports for students and staff in preparation for this school year.

Next week, we will share definitive information with you on the health and safety protocols we will use across the district at the start of school. While DESE has issued recommendations, each district is responsible for developing their own health and safety policies and practices. We are working closely with our Medical Advisory Group and expect to have a series of recommendations from them early next week.

While we remain vigilant on health and safety issues, we have continued to make progress in other areas of focus in our district. One such area is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which was strengthened this year with the hiring of our first DEI director. I encourage you to review the end-of-year report included in this newsletter for details on the important work that will continue to take place in the coming year.

Visiting our in person programs this summer was a keen reminder of the joy students experience from connecting with their teachers, other school personnel, and each other. We are very much looking forward to beginning the year in person and expect that this will be a meaningful experience after last year’s challenges.

I will be back in touch next week when we have more information to share.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

Health Protocols

As you are well aware, the COVID health situation is ever-changing. While the health data will not impact our plans for full, in-person school, it will impact the health and safety measures that are in place during the school day. Our primary goal is to minimize disruption to student learning this coming school year.

We are meeting regularly with our Medical Advisory Group and Newton HHS to discuss the most recent health data and the health and safety measures that will be in place in our school buildings this fall. We are also monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other federal and state agencies.

Decisions on health and safety protocols will be made in consultation with the Medical Advisory Group and the Newton Health and Human Services Department. We expect a formal recommendation from our Medical Advisory Group during the week of August 16th and will share it with you at that time.

Please Get Your COVID Vaccine!

Vaccinations are the most effective tool against COVID-19 and against the spread of the virus, including the development and spread of new variants. The most important thing we can do right now as a community is vaccinate all students currently eligible. It protects you, those around you, and other vulnerable members of our community.

Together with HHS, we are encouraging ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS to be vaccinated prior to the start of school.

You can find the list of vaccination sites in Newton here: www.newtonma.gov/covidvaccine or you can visit the state’s vaccination website at: www.vaxfinder.mass.gov

The state provides in-home vaccinations for anyone 12 and older who is unable to get to a vaccine location. Call 833-983-0485 Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. to register.

If you have additional questions or need assistance acquiring a vaccine, please contact Newton HHS at 617-796-1420 or visit www.newtonma.gov/health.

Building Ventilation and Maintenance

We are continuing our preventive maintenance program for all HVAC systems in our buildings. This includes, but is not limited to, replacement of older unit ventilators, checking HVAC functionality, replacement of filters, and cleaning of systems. In addition, NPS is engaged in its usual summer deep clean of all buildings.

If you would like to review the project undertaken last fall to repair, upgrade, and improve the ventilation systems in all school buildings, please visit this webpage: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3804

Maintenance staff and contractors are hard at work to ensure our buildings are ready for the return to full, in-person school come September.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

It is a great pleasure to share the end-of-year report from Kathy Lopes, Newton’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This report highlights the promising work taking place across the district as we strive to be a more dynamic and effective district in addressing racism.

Over the past year, school districts across the country have elevated their focus on race and equity. Here in Newton, we are guided by our understanding that the work is never done and that continuous learning is essential if we are going to improve. Our commitment to racial justice is steadfast and resolute and we are excited about what lies ahead.

Aspen Login Information

Login information to access Aspen, the district’s student information system, was sent today to NEW students and families. Returning families will receive login reminders at the end of August. Homeroom teacher assignments and schedules will be available at the end of August as well. Please watch for information from your child’s school for the specific timing of homeroom and schedule availability.

New Bus Registration Period – Aug. 13-22

Registration for bus transportation for the 2021-22 will re-open on Friday, August 13. If you have not already registered, please do so by August 22.

Bus registration takes place using the MySchoolBucks portal. Please login into or create an account in MySchoolBucks to register. Here is the link: www.myschoolbucks.com. Registration details, as well as additional transportation information, can be found on this webpage: www.newton.k12.ma.us/transportation

2021-22 School Year Calendar and Hours

Just a reminder that the school hours for the 2021-22 school year have shifted. You can find the new hours here: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/810.

You can download the school year calendar, with holiday observances and vacation weeks, here: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2#calendar1/20210727/month