Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

High School Start Time Meeting – May 23

The district’s High School Start Time Working Group will hold a general information session on Monday, May 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Ed. Center to update the community on the status of its work. The presentation will include a brief review of relevant sleep science data, data from the surveys and case studies completed this year, and the opportunity for members of the community to ask questions, raise concerns and provide feedback directly to district leaders engaged in this discussion.

We look forward to your attendance and ask you to encourage others to attend as well. For additional information, please visit the high school start time section of the NPS website at: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime The working group will also be making its year end report to the school committee at the June 20th School Committee meeting at 6:00 pm.

College Programs @ the Library

Demystifying College Admissions, May 24th, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium. Are you thinking about college for your teen and feeling anxiety? Join Terry Greene Clark, local author of the book, Demystifying College Admissions: A Parent-To-Parent Guide to the Reality of the College Process to discuss the college application, the redesigned SAT, college athletics, financial aid and more. Terry will provide insight in the reality of the college process from her own experience of having sent three of her four children off to college in the last five years. Questions are welcome and encouraged. For parents (teens welcome). Register online.

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps, June 1st, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Alan Gelb is the author of the bestselling, Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps. Alan coaches students all over the world on their personal statements. He will be conducting a workshop on how to approach this daunting assignment, answering your questions and getting you started on the most important essay you’ve ever written. For teens and parents. Register online.

College Funding Seminar,  June 14th, 6:30 pm, Druker Auditorium: This New York Life seminar helps parents and grand-parents prepare for the high cost of a college education. Those who attend will leave with a greater appreciation for the difference a college education can make in a child’s future, as well as a host of information about grants, scholarships, students loans, 529 plans, and even some lesser-known ways to save for this life changing event. This program is meant for parents of younger children. Register online.

Highlands After School program Open House

Highlands After School program, just for middle school children, is accepting applications for the following school year, with limited space available.

Open House on June 5th from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit the website highlandsafterschool.org.

Newton Community Farm welcomes Tom Ashbrook

Please come to the Barn at Newton Community Farm on June 4th for an intimate evening of stories and conversation with Tom Ashbrook, Newton resident, farm enthusiast, and award-winning host of National Public Radio’s On Point.

Tom will share stories of growing up on his family’s farm in Illinois and discuss how that experience influences him today and informs his perspective on the place of local farms in our current agricultural system. The evening will include a conversation between Tom and Newton Community Farm’s own farmer/scholar, Greg Maslowe, a question-and-answer period, and farm-fresh hors d’oevres. A tour of the Farm will precede the conversation in the Barn, at 6:30 pm.

Tickets to this event are available for $75/$70 for Friends of the Farm, and are 75% tax deductible, and you may register here.

Proceeds will benefit the Farm’s educational program, which provide hands-on experience with farming, gardening and cooking, and teaches sustainable practices for students in pre-school through Grade 12. Please help educate the next generation of stewards of our land and food!

June 4th, 7:00 pm
Newton Community Farm

NNHS sophomore collecting books and toys for African AIDS orphans

In early July, Newton North sophomore Gabe Kotsonis will be working with young children (many are AIDS orphans) at a school in Zambia. He’s collecting simple, easy-to-read hard cover books that teach colors, counting, the ABCs, etc. Books featuring animals and people of color are a plus. A few author suggestions: Margaret Wise Brown, Eric Carle, Jan Brett, P.D. Eastman and Bill Martin, but there are countless other authors who would fit the bill.

Gabe is also collecting manipulatives (toys) in good condition to bring to the children, including blocks, Legos, Lincoln Logs, matchbox cars and K’nex. Please contact Vicki,  vicki@ritterbandcommunications.com if you’d like to donate items and they’ll pick up donations at your home.

Summer programs at Newton Community Farm

Nurture your child’s innate curiosity and their natural sense of awe and wonder, as they immerse themselves in the joys of Newton Community Farm.

Join our growing community and register today for Kids at the Farm: Summer 2016. This popular summer program offers kids of all ages the experience of growing food on a working farm. Spaces are filling up fast — don’t delay!

Jewish after-school program for grades K-8

Kesher Newton is a unique Jewish after-school program for grades K-8. Are you looking for excellent after-school care combined with fun Hebrew and Jewish learning?​​ Kesher Newton is the place for you!​

​​Kesher Newton provides excellent experiential education in Jewish History, Culture, Ethics and Modern Hebrew in a joyful, “camp-like” atmosphere. We are a pluralistic Jewish community that is welcoming to all. Come and experience the difference in Jewish education Kesher has to offer!

Kesher Newton meets twice a week from 3:00 – 5:45 pm and still has limited openings in its Monday/Wednesday program. Email Ilana at ilana@keshernewton.org or visit www.keshernewton.org for more information.

Suicide Prevention Training

Our community has been affected by suicide. Newton Cares: Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health is working diligently to train as many people as possible in the suicide prevention technique called QPR. The more people who know how to act the more lives may be saved. Please consider being trained.

Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Training
Learn how to respond to someone in distress. QPR is a simple, educational program that teachers ordinary citizens how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get a person at risk the help they need. Click Here to register or visit www.newtonma.gov/newtoncares to register for upcoming trainings.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Recognize the warning signs of suicide
  • Offer hope
  • Get help & Refer

Next community training:  May 25th, 5:30 – 7:30pm
West Suburban YMCA
276 Church Street
Light dinner included.

High School Start Time Working Group

High School Start Time Working Group will hold a general information session to update the community on the status of its work. The presentation will include a brief review of relevant sleep science data, data from the surveys and case studies completed this year, and the opportunity for members of the community to ask questions, raise concerns and provide feedback directly to district leaders engaged in this discussion.

They look forward to your attendance and ask you to encourage others to attend as well. For additional information, please visit the high school start time section of the NPS website at: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime.

The working group will also be making its year end report to the school committee at the June 20th School Committee meeting at 6:00 pm.