Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Teen Theatre Cabaret

Kids learn how to act and sing in a teen theatre cabaret at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center. Under the direction of theater professionals, teens will learn about acting through song and explore how to interpret and connect to the lyrics to tell a story. Teens will also receive professional vocal, acting and dance training.

Class will culminate in a performance to be held on May 22nd at 7:00 pm. Geared for teens ages 13-17 years old, cost is $375.00. Register at bostonjcc.org/teencabaret or for more information, contact artclasses@jccgb.org or 617-558-6486.

March 6th – May 22nd from 4:15-6:00 pm
333 Nahanton Street, Newton on Sundays

STEAM Summer Program for kids ages 6-12

Come to an Open House for the STEAM Summer Program for kids ages 6-12 in Brighton. From puzzles and games to programming and painting, there is something for every student! The Studio of Engaging Math’s summer program offers kids the chance to experience just how fun science, math and engineering can be.

The hands on activities focus on the most engaging and exciting STEAM topics: science, technology, engineering, art & math. Learn about geometry by drawing tessellations and making beautiful origami. Study structure support by building bridges. Play strategy games to strengthen critical thinking and reasoning. Build a house of your dreams with a 3D modeling program. Learn how to program by making your own video games and animations. Have fun and learn at the same time! For more information, please visit: http://engagingmath.com/site/summer-program/ or 617-903-3168.

Open House February 26th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Studio of Engaging Math
www.engagingmath.com

Newton Reads: “I’ll Give You the Sun”

Join Newton Reads: On the Same Page, a month-long community reading program. Throughout March, the Newton Free Library will host a series of events related to the 2016 selection, “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson. It is a story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal told from different points in time, and in separate voices, by artists Jude and her twin brother Noah.

The idea for Newton Reads began when Newton teens expressed their desire to improve communication with adults about difficult topics. By reading the same book, we hope to broaden and deepen an appreciation of reading and encourage the Newton community to share their experiences. We believe that community connection and inter-generational discussion are essential to promoting tolerance and cultural understanding. To learn more click here: Newton Reads.

Check out this year’s choice and join the discussion! Mark your calendar for the following Newton Reads events. All events are for teens and adults take place in Druker Auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

March 14th, 4:00 or 7:00 pm: Starry Night Pastel Workshop*
March 16th, 7:00 pm: PFLAG Presents: Community Safe Spaces Workshop
March 20th, 2:00 pm: Book Discussion @ L’Aroma Café & Bakery
March 24th, 7:00 pm: Skype with Jandy Nelson
March 30th, 6:30 pm: To Infinity & Beyond: The Afterlife
March 31st, 7:00 pm: Book Discussion @ the Newton Free Library (3rd Floor Rear Arc)

*Registration (required) begins February 22nd. Please register for one workshop.

Newton Food Pantry needs help

The Newton Food Pantry is in great need of additional volunteers on Monday mornings to help unload and store food that is delivered from the food bank. The work only takes about an hour of time. However, the exact time when they need volunteers at the pantry to do this work changes from week to week depending upon the food bank schedule. Typically they need people for an hour, sometime between 9:00 and 11:30 am, and they send out an email a few days in advance advising volunteers of the time. Unloading and storing inventory is crucial to pantry operations and their core group on Mondays is small and desperate for help. Please email newtonfoodpantry@gmail.com if you can help.

As you know, the Newton Food Pantry is an all volunteer non-profit that has been providing food for over 30 years to those in our community who experience food insecurity. They presently provide a 5+ day supply of non-perishable and healthy fresh food to approximately 600 Newton residents each month. But they need your help in order to continue to serve our neighbors in need.

Song Swap

Acoustic Newton presents “Song Swap” at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall. Folk, Americana, Roots & Blues with Martin Grosswendt & Susanne Salem-Schatz and the Barbara Cassidy Band. Martin Grosswendt and Susanne Salem-Schatz make beautiful music together, presenting a delightful gumbo rooted in the blues and old-time traditions, with soul that comes from deep within and a wry humor that never fails to engage audiences.

Martin is a multi-instrumentalist, internationally known as an inspirational interpreter of pre-war blues and other southern roots music, he is one of roots music’s best kept secrets. Musical partner and remarkable singer Susanne Salem-Schatz complements Grosswendt’s stunning, understated instrumental work and soulful singing with rock solid rhythm, distinctive harmonies and powerful lead vocals. Tickets $10/$5 Students & Seniors www.newtoncommunitypride.org

February 27th,  7:00 pm
Newton City Hall

Not quite ready for Kindergartner?

Begin your child’s journey to school and lifelong learning at Bowen. Enrollment in Bowen’s Pre-K Program is now open for Fall 2016.

Did your child JUST miss the kindergarten cut-off? Would your child benefit from an extra year of academic and social development? If you answered “yes” to one (or both) of these questions, then take a look at Bowen’s Pre-K program which offers a unique opportunity for a third year of pre-school. Pre-K at Bowen combines an exciting mix of academics and social skills brought together by a dedicated team of teachers. These older 4’s and young 5’s work toward goals comparable to those in kindergarten but at a modified pace in a much smaller community with a 7:1 child teacher ratio. This class of 14 quickly becomes a cohesive group working, playing and learning together with enthusiasm. The Pre-K program runs Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm.

For more information about the Pre-K program and an application form, please contact Bowen’s Director Nina Tebaldi at 617-3923 or visit www.BowenCoop.org.

Bowen Cooperative Nursery School offers programs for kids ages 2.9 to 5 years old, including a Pre-K program for older 4’s and younger 5’s who will not be entering kindergarten in the fall. It’s a small, warm, nurturing community of families. Founded in 1955, Bowen is one of the oldest, continuously running cooperative preschools in the country. The school’s low adult to child ratio ensures individualized attention and a supportive environment that encourages exploration, experimentation and discovery while supporting emergent literacy and math skills, science, music and art.

The Art of Mindful Parenting: No hurry , no worry

Please join a four-week mindful parenting series led by by Dr. Yenkuei Chuang. All parents are welcome; no prior meditation experience is needed. The session will consist of guided meditation, reading and discussion on parenting practices. We will learn tools to cultivate awareness and equanimity, love, and wisdom; and we will explore how to apply them in the midst of our busy daily lives.  For additional information, please contact Yenkuei Chuang, Ph.D. at 617-794-9591.

Please register in advance as enrollment is limited to 12 students. Cost is $100 for the series (no single class drop-in’s allowed).

http://www.downunderyoga.com/boston-yoga-classes/yoga-workshops/#!

From Yenkuei: “I think this group will be a wonderful opportunityfor parents to connect beyond the walls of our homes, to share with each other what is it that we do, what is it that truly challenges us, and what is it that continues to inspires us. We will lean on each other as we learn to pause, breathe, and reflect on this precious gift of parenting. Perhaps as we learn to relax and nourish ourselves, we can even get to a bit of transformation, release our old habits, and re-parent ourselves as well as our children with freshness and spaciousness, ease and joy.”

March 17th, 24th, 31st, and April 7th, 12:45 – 2:00 pm
DownUnder Yoga in Newtonville

Summer music program

Like no other program in the area, Summer Sessions focuses on putting together a unique band with the goal of creating original music recorded in the Music Studio right at the Y. Participants can build and improve upon the creative skills of songwriting, filming, audio engineering, video editing, production, and instrumental or vocal performance while creating a complete professional project – an EP and/or a music video.

Summer Sessions will offer enrolled students the opportunity to form new advanced skills that help mold young musicians into experienced, successful artists. These collaborative projects foster abilities and work ethic that are not exclusive to the music industry, but can be applied to so many other careers and educational experiences. Summer Sessions focuses on the process, not just the content.

*This program is designed for students with experience playing in a group setting, writing original music, and/or recording. A pre-registration meeting with YMCA Creative Arts Staff is required for NEW students or students WITHOUT any of the above experience.*

Session 1
July 5-July 15

Session 2
July 18-July 29

Session 3
August 1-August 12

Session 4
August 15-August 26

Daily Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Registration opens February 22nd! Please contact Kevin O’Connell at kevino@wsymca.org or 617-244-6050 x 3028 for more information.

In-Home Math and Writing Coaches

Help your student start 2016 off on a good foot by providing them with high quality math or writing coaches in the comfort of your home. Next Level Up Academic Coaching has been working with Newton’s students since 2009. They offer the guided direction that many of today’s students benefit from. Individualized sessions get to the root of the problems quickly and devise strategies meant to work for your specific child.

Contact for a quick response: 781-540-1123 or info@nextleveluptutoring.com. Please visit our website at www.nextleveluptutoring.com.

Time for Partners Vacation Classes

Time for Partners is delighted to announce that when regularly scheduled Time for Partners classes are not meeting, Paula Gannon will hold two EXTRA classes on Wednesday, February 17th and Friday, February 19th from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

Time for Partners is an art and music class for children aged 18 months to 3.5 years with an adult. The classes take place at Newton City Hall – 50 minutes of art, a snack, and 50 minutes of music.

Families with children aged less than 5 years are welcome to attend this special vacation program. Register through www.ActivityReg.com, click on MA, click on Newton Parks & Rec, click on Mayor’s Office for cultural Affairs, click on Time for Partners. Or call 617-796-1540 for more information. Classes are limited to 20 families each.