Author Archives: Newton PTO Council

League of Women Voters Civics Challenge

On Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 4:00-6:00pm, the Newton League of Women Voters is hosting its second LWVN Civics Challenge.  This is a free event, open to adults and students in grades 8 and above, and will be held in the Cabot Elementary School cafeteria. 

Our first LWVN Civics Challenge was held on March 1, 2020 and was hugely successful.  We had 9 teams consisting of family and community groups, middle school, high school, and college students, teachers from NSHS, and a group from the Newton TAB.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have not been able to hold this event again until now.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would include an announcement of the event in the Community newsletters for all NPS schools.   

An image and proposed announcement text is included below.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us.

Thank you.

Jen Abbott, Frieda Dweck, Andrea Kozinetz, and Lisa Mirabile

LWVN Civics Challenge Committee

civics@lwvnewton.org

Scouts BSA Troop 355 Open House on Tuesday, May 2

Scouts BSA Troop 355 is hosting an open house on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 7:15pm – 8:15pm for kids or parents interested in Scouting.  Join us for a fun and exciting event which provides hands-on opportunities to learn about Scouting.  Scouts BSA is available to girls and boys from Kindergarten to age 18.
Our Troop focuses on Outdoor adventure such as camping, hiking, skiing, ice fishing, and canoeing; Life skills; and Leadership skills.  Our Scouts have a high rate of achieving the Eagle rank.  If you would like a fun way to spend time outside with your kids, Scouting is the way to make that happen.
For grades 5 – 12, we have a GIRL troop and a BOY troop.  For elementary kids, we havea Cub Pack for boys and girls.  For more information and to RSVP:  https://forms.gle/KtTWuQi wS2 fz158

Historic Newton Events

Book a field trip with Historic Newton! 

Plan a trip to our museums, the Jackson Homestead and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, host an educator at your site, or connect with us on-line for one of our engaging programs. Encourage students to discover new perspectives on U.S. history and explore Newton’s past through hands-on activities, games, and stories. All programs are taught by professional educators. Programs are aligned with state and national standards.Visit our website to learn more about the topics that we offer for children or adults. Our museums are open to groups by appointment. Questions? Email education@historicnewton.org. School Vacation Week Activities at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

04/18/2023 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM286 Waverley Ave. Newton 

Have you ever tried writing with a quill pen? Pick one up during our week of activities related to colonial history. We’ll be making corn husk dolls, doing a scavenger hunt highlighting the 18th century of the Durant-Kenrick House, making tricorn hats, and more. All activities are free with museum admission. Suggested ages 4-12; all are welcome to drop in at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. 

Calendar posting here. 

Plant Swap at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

06/10/2023 10:00 AM – noon

286 Waverley Ave. Newton

For the third year, Historic Newton will host Plant Swap at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. This year’s swap will take place Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Admission is free. Register here or simply come on June 10.

How does a plant swap work?

If you have plants (or other garden items) you’d like to swap for something else, bring them to the event, and take home something new in exchange. Please bring something (tray, box, etc.) to carry the plants you are taking home. If you don’t have plants to trade, you can still take home something new. If you don’t want to take home something new, you can still donate plants. And if you really just want to come to be outdoors and to spend some time talking with other plant people, you are still welcome to attend.Can I bring my kids?
Yes, children are welcome! Because the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds are on land stewarded for millennia by the Massachusett people, Historic Newton will teach students about the Native American Three Sisters planting system and share other gardening information, games, and activities for children.Event page here.

2023 Newton Inspires Event

Spend an evening with fascinating Newtonians talking about how they got their start, their careers, and what inspires them. You’ll hear anecdotes and insights on everything from science and sustainability to beer and baking!

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Newton South High School

6:00 pm

Tickets $40 (including boxed meal from Better Life Food) 

The evening will kick off with a reception with live music performed by NPS students and a light meal. You will then attend two stimulating sessions of your choice before reconvening for a keynote address by Tiziana Dearing, award-winning host of Radio Boston on WBUR and NPS parent.

For additional information on our speakers and to purchase tickets, visit: Newton Inspires – Newton Schools Foundation

Newton Schools Foundation advances excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by making grants in the three strategic areas including new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students. 

Your ticket purchase provides vital support to Newton Public Schools. We appreciate you spreading the word about the event throughout the Newton Community.

Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME

Call Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME today, 

When schoolwork goes the wrong way!

Our many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting has developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, be understood, and be remembered. We tutor special education such as ADHD, autism, executive function, learning disabilities, anxiety, behavior, life skills, and gifted. We also tutor regular education and test preparation. In addition to academic subjects, we teach children organization, homework coaching, study skills, and time management. All subjects and ages are taught. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or log on to https://www.Y3KTutorInYourHome.com

Plugged In Band Program in Needham

Please see the following message from Meg McCarney at Plugged in Band, and contact her at meg@pluggedinband.org if you are interested:

My name is Meg and I am the Program and Volunteer Outreach Coordinator at Plugged In Band Program in Needham. We work with students like yours in order to match music-minded children and adolescents to non-competitive, accessible music programs. 

For 20 years, Plugged In has educated and celebrated performers at all stages of their music-making journeys. We offer Summer Day Camp and Evening Summer Band Classes beginning in July. 

With the enrollment period for our Summer Session open, we are looking to connect with local educators to ensure that information about our programs reaches the students who could most benefit from them. 

We are committed to inclusive, transformative music education. Our patient, individualized approaches accommodate every student and their needs; we work with many students with learning, developmental, and neurological differences. Through our Scholarship Fund, we ensure that all interested students can access our programming, regardless of financial barriers-–no exceptions. 

If you work with students looking for a stress-free environment to learn a new skill or opportunities to make friends outside of the classroom, I would love to hear from you!

Our Summer Session courses begin July 10. Please reply if you’d like to connect further to receive additional information or refer a student and their guardian(s). There are also links to Plugged In’s website and social media accounts in my email signature.

I’m looking forward to speaking with you!

Best,

Meg

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