Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

PARENTING-Let’s Discuss!

Join Cindy Kaplan MA, Family/Parent Coach for some great discussions right in Newton Center! Thursday evenings, once a month. Either sign up for individual discussions or for all!

December 14th: What is Mindful Parenting and Why Does it Matter?
January 18th: When Your Kid Pushes Your Buttons and What You Can Do About it?
February 15th: Does Your Child’s Anxiety Make You Anxious?
March 15th: Step Out of Power Struggles and into Problem Solving
April 12th: What If You Are Not on the Same Child Rearing Page as Your Partner?
May 17th: Mastering the Art of Setting Clear Boundaries

Click Here: http://cindykcoaching.com/product/parenting-discussions/ or go to www.cindykcoaching.com to register.  Space is limited to 10 participants per evening.
Questions? e-mail cindy@cindykcoaching.com.

December events at Historic Newton

HOLIDAY SALE AT HISTORIC NEWTON MUSEUM SHOPS
Find distinctive gifts – all on sale – at Historic Newton’s two museum shops. Choose among cards made with fabric hand-woven by children at our fall Hayfest, as well as reproductions of watercolors painted by 19th century Jackson Homestead resident Ellen Jackson, and 3D images. Pick up a candle or a jar of our custom-made pear jam for a hostess gift or stocking stuffer. From picture books about the Underground Railroad to Newton memorabilia, our selection targets all ages.

Everyone receives a 10% discount; Historic Newton members take 25% off.
Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street and the Durant Kenrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue
Ongoing through December 31st,  Wednesday – Friday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Information: 617-796-1450 or 617-641-9142

HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF DURANT-KENRICK HOUSE
Built in 1734, the Durant-Kenrick House was the home of families who observed the winter holidays in different ways. Take a special tour of the house by candlelight led by Historic Newton staff, enjoy winter caroling, and sip hot cider and cocoa. Kids can create winter crafts, too. Space is limited. Advanced registration is recommended through historicnewton.org

December 17th, 5:30 pm
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
Admission: $10 for non-members, $5 for Historic Newton members and children ages 10 and over. Children under 10, free.
Registration: www.newtonma.gov/candletour
Information: 617-641-9142

Chemistry tutor

Improve your grade in your Chemistry course. Prepare yourself for SAT2 Chemistry exam. Lida Famili, a retired Milton Academy Chemistry teacher is offering tutoring in Chemistry courses and SAT2 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.

FREE Diversity Children’s Books for Parents, Teachers, Librarians (anyone!)

Mia Wenjen, a parent at FA Day and NNHS who co-founded Multicultural Children’s Book Day (coming up January 27th) to celebrate diversity in KidLit, is offering FREE diversity children’s books.

1) Simply post a short review on Facebook or Instagram or YouTube or a blog and receive one FREE diversity children’s book for ages 1 through 14. You will receive a book based on the age range you request. Sign up here:
https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/10/sign-up-for-free-diversity-childrens-book/

2) Host a book event in your home, library or classroom and receive 3 FREE diversity books and a swag pack:
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/category/offline-classroomlibrary-event-project/

Creating Successful Students

High school parents and students are invited to “Creating Successful Students”, presented by Dan Levine of Engaging Minds, to learn strategies for reducing academic stress, conquering procrastination, and strengthening executive functioning skills at home. Specific strategies include:

  • Managing nightly homework
  • Short-term and long-term assignment planning and time management
  • How to get “unstuck” when having trouble initiating tasks
  • How to organize papers, assignments, belongings, and more.

This workshop is FREE and open to the public. Click here for flyer: Successful Students. Engaging Minds is an after school learning center with locations in Newton and Natick. The strategies presented will not require purchasing services from Engaging Minds. Please RSVP to  qetchie@newtonma.gov.

December 7th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Druker Auditorium, Newton Free Library.

Letter from the Hydro-Dragons

We are a group of 6th graders at Brown Middle School that are part of The First Lego League (FLL). FLL is an organization that allows kids ages of 9 to 16 to have the opportunity to help work as a team, and start to research real-world problems. The theme this year is Hydro Dynamics (water) and we are FLL Team #34813 Hydro-Dragons.

We have to find a problem related to water. Originally, we thought about the Flint water crisis, but since Flint is too far away to do much, we decided to focus on lead in Newton water. With this idea, we have developed a goal to raise awareness on lead and its dangers. We have learned that some Newton schools and public buildings have had high-levels of lead in drinking water.

To help raise awareness on lead in drinking water, we made a website, for more information please visit it at https://leadwaterawareness.wixsite.com/lead.
To learn more about FLL, visit their website: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll
For information on 2017-2018 season challenge, please watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMuE4PKosys&feature=youtu.be

Learn to Play the Ukulele!

Now Registering kids in Grades 2 – 5 for Tuesdays, January 16th – April 3rd at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall.

Uke 1 – an introduction class to the ukulele and perfect for kids who want to learn an instrument, while exploring the world of musicianship. Students will learn basics of the instrument, including rhythmic strumming and chords. They will be playing songs in a few short weeks! 1:15 – 2:00 pm

Uke 2 – The student must have completed Uke 1. All levels of players are welcome for continued learning and weekly “jam session”. 2:15 – 3:00 pm

Bring your own instrument or contact teacher for rental. To register: www.activityreg.com, click on MA, click on Newton Parks & Recreation, click on Register, click on Programs or Activities, click on Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, click on Ukulele classes. Or call 617-796-1540 for more information.

Time for Partners

The popular art & music class for children ages 18 months to 4 years with an adult is thriving in the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall! A terrific way to learn, have fun and make friends – and that’s not just for the kids! Parents, nannies and grandparents enjoy this long-running program also. Children make creative and enriching art projects and enjoy singing and fun with beloved performer David Polansky.

The classes fill up very quickly, so don’t wait! Classes are Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 11:15 am, January 30th – June 1st.  To register: www.activityreg.com click on MA, click on Newton Parks & Recreation, click on Register, click on Programs or Activities, click on Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, click on Time for Partners and choose your day. Or call 617-796-1540 for more information.

Public Speaking and Debate Workshop

Lumos is running a 2-day Debate Workshop during December, February, and April vacation breaks. Your child will study public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership with experienced instructors.

The class is lots of fun and very active – a good class even for shy or quiet kids. The class is open to students Grades 6-9. For more information call 617-901-4564. Register at: camp.lumosdebate.com/workshop/