Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Upcoming Programs at the Library

Mayor’s Summer Reading Ice Cream Celebration

Join Mayor Warren in celebrating the accomplishments of our summer readers at a special ice cream celebration courtesy of Cabot’s! Mayor Warren will congratulate all readers. There will be an interactive concert for kids of all ages from 3:00-4:00 pm by Roger Tincknell, Songs for a Better World Family Concert and temporary henna tattoos for tweens and teens by Noureen Design 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Festivities will be held at the Homer Street Entrance of the Newton Free Library (or in Druker Auditorum in case of rain) and will include activities for children, tweens, teens and adults, so bring the whole family.

September 9th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Writing College Essays that Make a Difference

Get some great strategies for writing a college application essay that can make the difference between a “Yes” and a “Maybe.” You’ll look at case studies of successful essays, and students will have the opportunity for Dr. Schwartz to assess their essays. Adam Schwartz taught writing at Harvard and Wellesley for twenty-five years. His service on the Board of Admissions at Wellesley College has provided him with an insider’s knowledge of the college application process. His stories have been published in The New Yorker and he is an award-winning novelist.

For teens and families. Please register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=NEWTON&curID=294702.
Please email teens@newtonfreelibrary.net with your essay as an attachment by September 10 if you want Dr. Schwartz to look over it.

September 13th, 7:00 pm

Team Hope Walk

Our Newton Reads selection this year is Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova, which tells the story of the O’Brien family. Joe O’Brien is a Boston cop who finds out he has Huntington’s Disease and that each of his four children have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease.

There is currently no cure for this disease. Walk with us, as part of our Newton Reads program, to support the mission of Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) to improve the lives of everyone with Huntington’s disease . Join and/or donate to the Newton Free Library Team effort. If you’d like to walk, just register as part of our team online. Donations are not required. Check-in will be between 9:00 – 10:00 am at the Tewksbury Hospital Saunders Building, 365 East St, Tewksbury

September 16th, 10:00 am

Historic Newton Events

September 10th, 4:00 pm
SPECIAL RUNNING TOUR WITH NEWTON SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
Do you like running, history, and beer? This easy-paced, fun running tour takes in highlights of Newton sports. Follow part of the legendary Boston Marathon route along Commonwealth Avenue with Paul Clerici, author of Boston Marathon History by the Mile, see the fields at Newton Centre Playground designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and hear about local sports legends. The total distance is approximately 4 miles.

Meet at the Brewers Coalition, 344 Walnut Street, Newtonville; return after the run to purchase beer and snacks.

Suggested donation: $10 per person
Register at historicnewton.org, or on tour day
Information: 617-796-1450

September 23rd, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
SMITHSONIAN DAY AT THE MUSEUMS
Enjoy this special day of free admission as part of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Live! At the Durant-Kenrick House that day, learn about Native American villages and English settlements by creating a diorama.

Museums across the United States participate in Smithsonian Day. Download your ticket (admits 2) from Smithsonian.com/museumday.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street OR the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450

September 24th, 2:00 pm
TRACING THE 1890s BUILDING BOOM ON WEST NEWTON HILL
The decade of the 1890s was a boom period in many parts of Newton, including West Newton Hill. Architects and builders combined careful craftsmanship with eclectic designs, incorporating turrets, stained glass windows, decorative shingle patterns, porte-cochères and carriage houses. Learn more about the distinctive features of Queen Anne and other styles, as well as the backgrounds of the families who first owned these homes.

Meet at the corner of Prince and Dartmouth Streets. Park along nearby streets.
Suggested donation, $10 per person
Register at historicnewton.org or on tour day
Information: 617-796-1450

September 28th, 7:30 pm
HISTORY BOOK CLUB MEETING
Join the History Book Club for a discussion of Hamilton by Ron Chernow. The author tells the dramatic story of America’s birth seen through the eyes of Alexander Hamilton, who galvanized, inspired and shaped America in the early days of the Republic (and later inspired the award-winning Broadway musical). Read the book in advance and come to the meeting, which is open to all.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450

October 1st, 12:00 Noon-4:00 pm
HAYFEST
Come enjoy 19th century crafts at the Jackson Homestead! Learn through hands-on activities how Newton families lived in the 1800s. Try your hand at butter making, cider pressing, candle dipping, and more. Jump into a burlap sack for a race or play the hoop-tossing game of graces. Join us for a day of old-fashioned fun for the whole family.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450

Math tutoring

Experienced math teacher Barbara Wolke is offering personal tutoring tailored to your child. Lessons will be based on mathematical concepts from the school curriculum that
challenge the child or need clarification, so your child can be successful in math.

Barbara moved to the area from the northern suburbs of Chicago where she taught in the public schools and was a high school math tutor (algebra, geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus) for more than 25 years. For the past 10 years she has focused on preparing students for the math portion of the ACT/SAT. For more information or references, contact her at 617-645- 7122 or barbarawolke1@gmail.com.

Young Rock Band program

Plugged In is a unique nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Fall session band classes begin the week of September 18th. More information and online registration can be found at www.pluggedinband.org.

Founded in 2002, Plugged In now has over 170 students from all over Massachusetts. Some students experience emotional and learning difficulties, such as ADD, depression, and low-self-esteem and/or have special needs such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. In the loving and non-competitive atmosphere at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

In addition to weekly ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year Plugged In students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world.

Piano Lessons

A Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music and Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory with 30+ years teaching experience is available for lessons.

Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sight-reading while building a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Contact Gloria Jasinski at 617-566-9704 or piano566@comcast.net.

LigerBots Robotics

Fall is coming and the LigerBots are ready to begin a new year. With a freshly elected executive board, new members coming in, and a new game for this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition, the LigerBots are fired up and ready to leap into the coming season. Their
first outreach event of the season will be at Newtonville Village Day, from noon to 5:00 pm on September 24th. Please stop by their booth to say hello and learn more about the team.

The LigerBots means so much to so many team members and teaches real life skills in a way that few other programs do. They would like to take this chance to thank their supporters for all that you have done — your help really makes a difference. Come to an event, they’d love to thank you in person.

Fall Tree Tour

Enjoy a tour showcasing the trees that enhance the cemetery grounds. Newton Cemetery arborist Robert Reardon will guide a tour showcasing the interesting variety of trees. The tour will take place rain or shine and last approximately 90 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes, water and plenty of questions are recommended.

Meet just inside the main gate in front of the office. Parking is available in the chapel parking lot. Free and open to all, suggested donation: $10.00. For more information, call 617-332-0047.

October 14th, 1:00 pm
Newton Cemetery
791 Walnut Street, Newton

Executive Function conference for parents

“Executive Function and Emotion: Promoting flexible thinking and reducing anxiety in school” is an executive function conference specifically for parents.

View the flyer here: EF Flyer. Fee is $175. To register, please go to: https://www.researchild.org/8th-annual-executive-function-conference/.

For more information, please contact: Jamie Cutler at jcutler@researchild.org.

October 27th, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Lexington, MA