Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Teen Programs @ the Library

CodeGirl Movie Screening: Learn more about the library’s Code Newton grant program and the world of coding and app development during this special documentary screening. By 2017 the app market will be valued at $77 Billion. Over 80% of app developers are male. The Technovation Challenge aims to change that by empowering girls worldwide to develop apps for an international competition. From rural Moldova to urban Brazil to suburban Massachusetts, CodeGirl follows teams who dream of holding their own in the world’s fastest-growing industry. Unrated. Run time: 107 minutes. This is a Code Newton program. Register.  May 7th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Francisco Stork, Author Event: Join us for a very special author event with Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of the young adult book, Marcelo in the Real World. Stork will share his experience as a young adult author and discuss his latest, starred review book, The Memory of Light. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Books will be sold by New England Mobile Book Fair. For teens and adults. Register. May 12th, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium.

Secrets of College Admissions: This seminar, presented by Sara Kratzok, Director of Collegewise Newton, will help families separate college admissions fact from fiction and enjoy the college process a little more. We’ll discuss grades, test scores, activities, and everything else colleges evaluate. Attendees will get straight answers about what college admissions committees really look for and how they ultimately decide who gets in. Kids and parents will be pleasantly surprised to learn that kids don’t have to be trilingual, opera-singing rocket scientists to get into college today. For teens and parents. Register. May 14th, 10:00 am, Druker Auditorium.

Boston Theater Company’s Teen Touring Troupe Presents Twelfth Night: O mistress mine, where are you roaming? Join our troupe of teenage actors in Illyria, the setting of Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, where a shipwreck, a clever disguise, multiple mistaken identities, a clever trick, a challenge to a duel, and many mixed messages create one hilarious tale! Actors in grades 6-11 perform an hour-long version of this Shakespeare classic full of confusion, transformation, and wit. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Register. May 14th, 2:00 pm, Druker Auditorium.

How Humans Impact Our Oceans: Join a group of students from Newton South High School in a global marine biology class for their senior project. They will be presenting their final senior project, a topic that was very meaningful to the group: ocean trash and plastic pollution. They are here to educate people on the problem of ocean trash and what we can do to help decrease the amount of plastic ending up in our oceans. May 16th, 7:00 pm, Trustees Room.

Teen Crafterhours: Meets on the third Tuesday of every month to make crafts and eat snacks. This month you’ll be making dream catchers. Grades 6-12. May 17th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

The Impact of Stress on Learning: Anxiety levels in learning environments are at an all-time high. How can parents and educators identify signs of stress, and what can we do to lessen its effects on our students and children? Noel Foy, founder of AMMPE Brain-Based Learning (www.ammpe.com), will discuss specific, effective strategies to help wire your child’s brain in ways that decrease stress and increase resiliency. This program is sponsored by Newton Youth Services. For parents. Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium.

Teen Tinker Club: Learn how to code LEGO WeDos using Scratch! Tinker Club is brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Grades 6-12. Space is limited. Register. May 19th, 4:00 pm, second floor Computer Center.

Demystifying College Admissions: 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.  May 24th, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium.

Webster Woods Spring Cleanup!

Please join the Friends of Webster Woods  for a spring sprucing-up event. Grab some gloves and help keep Webster Woods clean and beautiful! An informative nature walk will follow the cleanup. All ages are invited! Meet at 1:00 pm at the Elgin Street entrance to Webster Woods. Snacks, gloves, and trash bags will be provided.

May 21st, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Nurturing Minds presents TED Talk Speaker, Amy Cuddy

TED Talk Speaker, Amy Cuddy will speak about Presence: Bringing your Boldest Self to your Biggest Challenges. Amy’s TED Talk on “power posing” made her the second most viewed TED speaker in the world. In her new book, Presence, Cuddy explains the science behind these and many other body-mind effects.

Thanks to Amy’s generosity, all event proceeds will go to support Nurturing Minds and the SEGA Girls School in Tanzania which provides quality education to over 200 vulnerable girls, many of whom are orphans and who would otherwise not get the chance to attend school. Get your tickets now, this event is sure to sell out! Learn more and Purchase Tickets ($30 in advance / $40 at the door): www.charityauction.bid/amycuddytalk

May 24th, 7:30 pm
The Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown

For more information on Nurturing Minds and the SEGA Girls School Please visit  www.nurturingmindsinafrica.org.

Does your child love to sing?

Do you have a child that loves to sing? Join VOICES BOSTON children’s chorus for our 2016-2017 season! With singing at its core and training in dance and drama, VOICES BOSTON changes the lives of its children, building confidence, discipline, leadership and a love of music that will last a lifetime. Throughout its history, VOICES BOSTON has collaborated with internationally known ensembles including the Boston Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Pops, Boston University Opera Institute, Boston Baroque, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and Boston Early Music Festival. VOICES choristers perform a wide range of repertoire, from classical to world music, gospel to new music and present an opera every year.

They are holding auditions for placement on May 22nd. To sign up for a time or just learn more about the program, visit www.voicesboston.org or contact:

Kathryn DiMaria, 857-366-0034, kdimaria@voicesboston.org or Nina Pelligra,
617-735-0012, npelligra@voicesboston.org.

Boston Patio Playhouse is now registering for summer programs

The Backyard Opera Summer Program is open to students ages 12-18 who love opera, operetta, and classic musical theater. Camp session is July 5th – 15th, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The Front Porch Players Musical Theater Summer Program is for students ages 11-18 who love classic and contemporary musical theater. Camp session is August 1st – 12th, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

During each two-week program students will receive training in voice, dance, drama, and backstage skills, while working on either an Opera Gala or a Broadway Musical Revue performance! No auditions necessary, and each student will be cast as a soloist. Both programs are located in Coolidge Corner, Brookline. Visit www.bostonpatioplayhouse.com for more information and to register today!

Summer robotics and coding camps

If you’re looking for ways to energize your children’s summer routines and give them an edge in the classroom in the fall, you’ve got great options with Sylvan’s STEM camps!

Robotics and Coding Camps
$225 Half Day, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$399 Full Day, 9:30 am- 4:30 pm

Grades 1-3
July 18th- 22nd or August 8th- 12th

Grades 4-6
July 11th- 15th or August 1st-5th

These unique fun and educational robotics/coding camps fill up fast, so register today to hold your spot! Call 617-264-4150 or email Brookline.MA@sylvanlearning.com

Sylvan Learning
1626 Beacon Street
Brookline

Join the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services

The City of Newton is looking for volunteers on the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services. The Advisory Council of Health and Human Services is made up of two registered physicians, 5 non-professionals and the Commissioner of Health and Human Services serving as Chair. The Advisory council serves as a support and advice group for the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. The Health and Human Services department oversees public health, environmental health, school health, social services, youth services, emergency preparedness and weights and measures.

The meetings are held quarterly. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services, please send a letter of interest, and resume to Coordinator of Boards and Commissions, Office of the Mayor, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 or apply on-line http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/featured/Boards_openings.asp

Teacher Appreciation Week

 Time to Honor Thy Teacher! May 2nd – 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week! What better time to recognize your child’s teacher(s), classroom aides, specialists, and school staff through Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher Program.

Honor Thy Teacher is a great way to say “Thank You” to the wonderful men and women who motivate, educate and inspire our kids to be the best they can be.When you recognize teachers and staff through Honor Thy Teacher, you’ll also be supporting the Newton Public Schools. NSF celebrates teachers and staff by:

  • Notifying honorees of your gift
  • Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
  • Listing all honored teachers and staff in a full-page display in the Newton TAB

Suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member, which will help NSF fund innovative and creative programs throughout Newton’s schools. You can donate on line by visiting the NSF web site or by check made out to “Newton Schools Foundation” sent to P.O. Box 590020, Newton, MA, 02459. Be sure to include the name(s) and school(s) of those you wish to honor. Elementary school parents may complete the flyer that went home in your child’s backpack.

Questions? Call 617-559-6120 or email info@newtonschoolsfoundation.org.

Walk and Bike to School Day

Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force is sponsoring a Walk and Bike to School day on May 5th. Newton students will be joining children across the Commonwealth walking and biking to school, celebrating their livable communities. Their active commute is good for the environment, makes them healthier, and gives them more time to be with friends. The exercise also helps charge their brains and bodies for a good day of learning.

We also applaud “the bus heroes” who are not able to walk or bike but instead take the bus helping to reduce vehicle traffic around the schools. We are also encouraging students on the bus to thank their bus drivers and the crossing guards who make their safe commutes possible. Handmade cards or even an extra big thank you to the drivers would be greatly appreciated. For more information feel free to visit SRTS on Facebook at Newton Safe Routes to School.