Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Summer Camp Fair

Newton Parks and Recreation invites you to their Camp Fair. Talk with camp managers from Newton Parks and Recreation, staff from Newton Public Schools S.P.A.C.E. Camp, instructors at Newton Community Education Summer Programs, and representatives from Historic Newton and the Newton Free Library to see what is being offered in Newton this summer. For more information go to www.newtonma.gov/parks and click on the Summer Camp Fair link.

January 29th (snow date February 5th) from 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Newton North High School Cafeteria.

Adult Knitting Class in Newton Center

Would you like to learn to knit? Do you know the basics but are ready to move beyond a scarf? Or have you finished a couple of projects and are ready to learn some new techniques and become more confident? Sign up now for an adults-only knitting class taught by an experienced teacher.

In these friendly classes, beginners will develop a strong foundation of skills so that they can continue knitting many different types of projects. You’ll learn how to: cast on, knit, purl, create a border, read a pattern, identify and fix common mistakes, and bind off. More experienced knitters can expand their skills to cables, lace, chart reading, and/or socks.
To register, email the instructor at maryannhill82@gmail.com. Payment information, address, and a short list of materials to bring to the first class will be sent promptly. Click here to learn more.

Cost is $75.00 for a 5-class Flex Pass (attend when your schedule permits)
Location: Instructor’s home in Newton Centre
Tuesday evenings beginning January 24th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
OR Wednesday mornings beginning January 11th, 10 am – noon

If you’re the woman who dropped off a lovely afghan to be mended, please let Mary Ann know. It’s all fixed, but she can’t find your contact information!

CodeCampKidz

CodeCampKidz cordially invites you to learn the skill of Web Development in a fun, achievable and self-paced way! Join the group weekly at the Microsoft Store and code under the guidance of an expert! The 1st two sessions are FREE! You’ll go on a tour through various programming languages and toolkits, connecting the dots and learning how it all fits together. Each week you attend you will work through a new project learning new code and techniques! You will then apply what you have learned to your own personal project(s) as you move through the levels. You will write real HTML, CSS & Javascript code progressing from the basics to more advanced topics, building skill and self-confidence along the way. No experience is required. Open a gateway to your future and register today! This month:

HTML Basics (est. 15 min for lesson series) Learn the basic tags needed to create a valid page. Your Project: Create your first page and show it to the world. Please submit a code review before moving on. (est. 15 minutes)

CSS Basics (est. 15 min for lesson series) Learn how to create and apply CSS styles to achieve effects. Your Project: Create your first CSS style and apply it. Please submit a code review before moving on. (est. 15 minutes)

CSS Box Model (est. 15 min for lesson series) Learn about borders, margin & padding and how they affect the spacing of elements. Your Project: Use your browser’s “developer tools” to manipulate margin, padding and other elements on a page. A code review is not required for this project. (est. 15+ minutes)

London Bridge at Night (est. 20 min for lesson series) Learn about graphic images, links, background colors, font colors & page centering. Your Project: Build your first page. You will go up to Google and source images to reference on your page. Please submit a code review before moving on. (est. 30+ minutes)

Working with Text & Backgrounds (est. 30 min for lesson series) Learn various CSS properties for manipulating text on the page, creating page backgrounds and using professional icons with Font Awesome. Your Project: Replicate an example page but customize it to your liking by changing the Font Awesome icons, background graphic and text. Please submit a code review before moving on. (est. 30+ minutes)

Working with Tables Lists & iFrames (est. 30 min for lesson series) Learn how to construct various types of HTML table structures, ordered & un-ordered lists, and iFrames using YouTube as an example. Your Project: This is a MAJOR project and your opportunity to use everything you have learned so far to create your own themed page. When you are finished the goal is to “show it to the world” and get your page indexed on Google. Please submit a code review before moving on. (est. 60+ minutes, this dev challenge usually requires a full class session)

Youth Programs at the Microsoft Store

Create Digital Art with Fresh Paint Beginner
Students 8–12 will learn to create and share their own digital art with the Fresh Paint app for Windows 10. They’ll explore the basics of Fresh Paint, using lifelike oil and watercolors, pastels, and more to craft their own creations.
January 10th, 17th, 24th, or 31st, 5:00-7:00 pm

Create Digital Art with Fresh Paint Intermediate
Students 13 and older will use an array of tools to create lifelike paintings, original drawings, collages, and so much more. They’ll explore more advanced skills like blending paint colors and layering mixed media to create their own unique works of art.
January 11th, 18th,25th or February 1st, 6:30-8:30 pm

Minecraft Events
Minecraft Build Challenge: This free workshop at your local Microsoft Store lets players of every age join a team to create something epic before the clock runs out.

Minecraft Hour of Code – Designer: Program animals and other Minecraft creatures in your own version of Minecraft.

Minecraft Hour of Code – Adventurer: Use code to take Alex or Steve on an adventure.

Upcoming STEAM workshops at the Newton Free Library

Art Robots, January 12th, 4:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Students become electrical engineering artists through the challenge of constructing an art-creating robot from simple circuits. Girls will learn and discuss elements of electrical engineering and different forms of art. Girls will design and build a “robot” that will autonomously create art using littleBits. This workshop is led by the Science Club for Girls. For girls in grades 5-7. Register online.

STEM Workshop, January 14th, 1:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Join a Moms as Mentors® STEM workshop that offers interactive team-building and bonding activities for girls and moms. Build Bridges! mini-workshop features an enjoyable, hands-on STEM activity. Come have fun with your daughter and leave with take-home tools to help nurture your daughter’s interest in STEM! For moms and girls in grades 6-8. Register online.

Python Workshops, January 18th, 25th, and February 1st, 8th, and 15th, 4:00 pm, Computer Center: Can Python programs be fun to write? YES! In these workshops we will work individually and as a class to write a few fun applications in Python. No prior experience in coding is necessary. This is a series of five workshops. Students who attend at least 4 out of 5 sessions will receive a certificate of completion. Grades
7-12. Register online.

Teen Coding Meetups, January 22nd, 2:30 pm, Meeting Room A: Do you know the basics of coding and are now looking to extend your skill set while meeting like-minded teens in an informal environment? Keep on coding at our new series for teens. Open to any teen with an understanding of the core elements of coding: variables, conditionals, loops, and functions. No registration required, just drop by! There are a limited number of laptops, so please bring a laptop if you can. Upcoming Meetups: January 8th & 22nd, February 5th, 12th & 26th, March 12th & 26th, April 9th & 23rd, May 7th & 21st, and June 4th.

Teen Summer Program Expo

Newton South High School will host the Annual Teen Summer Program Expo. This event is FREE and open to the public. Find the perfect summer experience for middle and high school students. Meet directors of more than 60 enriching summer and gap year programs in the U.S. & abroad. Programs for every budget and every interest include academic, adventure, teen tours, community service, internships, sport instruction, language immersion, arts/theatre/music, STEM and college prep programs. Efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, safety, & supervision. For more information contact Laura@TeenSummerExpos.com

February 6th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm (Snow date: Tuesday, February 7th)
Newton South Cafeteria

An Introduction to Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving parenting approach

Do you ever feel frustrated with your child? Find yourself shouting often and imposing punishments or rewards in reaction to challenging behavior? Do you wish you had a more effective parenting approach that also helps to build a better relationship between you and your child?

The Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) parenting approach provides parents with concrete tools to better understand and parent their kids in the face of day-to-day challenges – e.g., getting to school, homework, screen time – and more serious challenges.

CPS helps parents to:

Foster positive relationships with their child
Reduce their child’s challenging behavior
Solve problems collaboratively and proactively
Build their child’s skills in self-regulation, communication and problem-solving

For more information and to register for an upcoming CPS workshop in Brookline or Needham, please visit BeTheParentYouWantToBe.weebly.com

Middle and High School students, parents, and guardians invited

Save the date for a fun, free EXPO at Newton North! Teens and adults are invited to the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live musical performances; free refreshments; and fun.

Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from social media use and pedestrian safety to healthy eating and positive body image to stress reduction and mental health support. Sponsored by the Newton North PTSO.

Community resources for teens and families
FREE and fun!
Treat bags for the first 50 students who come with a parent/guardian
Giveaways and refreshments
Prize drawing
Table tennis challenge
“American Ninja Warrior” demo

January 23rd, 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Newton North High School

Learn to Play the Ukulele!

Now registering kids in Grades 2 – 5
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! Sessions 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”. Sessions 2:15 – 3:00 pm

Bring your own instrument or contact teacher for rental. To register go to 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.

Classes held on Tuesdays, January 31st –April 4th at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall.

Stop the Power Struggles! Become Problem Solvers!

Cindy Kaplan, MA, Parent/Family Coach, and Certified Practitioner of the Collaborative Problem Method from MGH, will lead a course on Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), a strength based neurologically-grounded approach that brings new ideas and hope for helping kids with challenging behavior.

Enjoy tea and coffee along with great pastries while you learn how to strengthen your relationship with your kids and learn to solve “problem behavior” collaboratively.
The Parenting Course will take place at Cafe L’Aroma.

Friday mornings, 10:00-11:30 am starting January 6th. To Register e-mail Cindy at cindy@cindykcoaching.com, or call 617-869-3305. For more information, please visit www.cindykcoaching.com or see this Flyer.