Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Cooking classes

Mindy’s Cooking offers cooking instruction to Newton elementary school students in her home on Tuesdays, 12:45  – 3:00 pm and themed classes to middle schoolers on early release Thursdays throughout the school year.

Each class gives students a full hands-on experience to produce their own gourmet lunch using a variety of equipment and ingredients. Students also learn knife skills, nutrition, food safety and various aspects of culture and tradition about the foods they are making. Mindy Sherbet is a professional chef and mom of 3 Newton public school-age kids.

For information, call 973-420-6190 or email Mindy at mindyscooking@gmail.com. Check out Facebook/mindyscooking. Classes start in the fall.

Kesher Newton is now enrolling for Fall 2014!

Kesher Newton is an after-school program that offers a hands on and in-depth approach to Jewish learning for students in grades K-7! Now located on Hammond Pond Parkway, convenient to Newton, housed inside the building of Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Kesher’s warm and inviting new space accommodates its expanding student base and its many family activities.

Kesher Newton is a nationally-recognized alternative to traditional Hebrew School, where children learn Jewish culture and Hebrew language in a spirited, camp-like environment. Kesher’s innovative curriculum challenges students intellectually, while fostering Jewish commitment, joy of learning, and active community participation. Kesher Newton is an independent pluralistic community that is welcoming to all. For more information, visit keshernewton.org or call 617-244-5390, or email info@keshernewton.org.

Seeking neighborhood input

The Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council is sponsoring a survey to gather neighborhood input about the upcoming Zervas School expansion project. To fill out a very brief survey, please go to http://bit.ly/NH-school-survey or call 617-340-9262 for more information or to get a paper copy.

You can see the latest project plans (from June 4) at http://zervas.projects.joslinlesser.com/download/presentations​

“When Your Kids Push Your Buttons”

Join Cindy Kaplan, MA Parent Coach and Family Therapist, for four sessions this July in a workshop titled, “When Your Kids Push Your Buttons”. This buttons workshop will help you break the cycle of reactivity, learn ways to stay calm enough to maintain authority, set limits while connecting with your children, and ultimately parent with more compassion—and effectiveness.

Two four week series are offered this July: Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Registration is required.  Call Cindy at 617-869-3305 or e-mail at cindy@cindykcoaching.com

Tutor available

Experienced & Reasonable Writing, Math and ISEE/SSAT Tutor in Newton. Summer sessions booking soon. Please contact for rates, references and more information. Laura Marks, 617-244-0011, Lsmarks@outlook.com

“I am flexible enough to work with any busy kid’s schedule. My young students have fun with me, enjoy learning, and gain confidence as they master the material.” ~Laura

 

Newton Food Day Planning Meeting

Food Day is a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced
food and a grassroots campaign for better food policies. In 2013 Massachusetts was
#2 in the country with 640 Food Day activities!

What’s next?
Everyone and anyone who has an interest in the quality of food made available to our
families/community and how that food gets to our tables is welcome to join to begin planning for 2014 Food Day.

Goals of the meeting:

  • Brainstorm how your organization can use Food Day to promote your current work for a sustainable food system in Massachusetts. This year’s themes are focused on nutritional education, food justice, and highlighting partnerships with local farmers!
  • Discuss priorities for an improved food system and ways to build off last year’s activities.

Please RSVP by June 23rd to education@newtoncommunityfarm.org

Wednesday, June 25th, 7:00-8:00PM
Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton

Teen Programs at the Newton Free Library

Tear Aparts (for Teens), Monday, June 9, 4:00 pm 
Join Maker-in Residence Kevin Osborn in the second floor Teen Area to learn how things work by tearing apart DVD and VCR players, Tickle Me Elmos and other machines. You’ll see how they work and perhaps find something that will inspire your next project.

Mother-Daughter Book Club, Wednesday, June 11, 7:00 pm
Join us in the second floor Teen Area of the Newton Free Library for the Mother-Daughter Book Club. The group will discuss Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher.

  • Ages 12-15.
  • Registration is required. Visit www.newtonfreelibrary.net, call Liz the Teen Librarian at 617-796-1380 or email teens@newtonfreelibrary.net.

Ice Cream Party: Teen Summer Reading Kick-off,  June 18, 3:30 pm
Stop by the Newton Free Library to celebrate the beginning of summer with ice cream provided by J.P. Licks. While you’re here pick up information on the Teen Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Get involved as we explore the theme, “Spark a Reaction,” with weekly programs related to science, technology, engineering, art and math. Learn about keeping an online log of your reading and how you can win prizes throughout the summer just for reading! Druker Auditorium.

The Lego Movie Screening, Thursday, June 26, 6:30 pm
Come to a screening of The Lego Movie at the Newton Free Library in Druker Auditorium. Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO mini-figure is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. Runtime 100 minutes. Rated PG.

Don’t Hate, Appreciate

An Open Conversation: Lecture Series for Parents of Teens Part V:
Don’t Hate, Appreciate

Don’t Hate, Appreciate, the final program in the series for parents based on the topics of wellness, stress management and communication, will be held the Newton Free Library. Learn how to talk to teens about body confidence, eating disorders and media literacy. The session will show parents how to start the conversation, model healthy behaviors and teach young people not to put others down based on looks. The program is part Youth Stress Grant awarded to the Newton Health & Human Services Department, the Newton Free Library and Newton Youth Services. Series partners include Newton Cares, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Riverside Community Care, the Massachusetts School for Professional Psychology and the Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association.

Thursday, June 19th, 7:00 pm

For additional information, please contact 617-796-1436 or visit www.newtonma.gov/youth

CAP Program seeking Volunteer Prevention Specialists

The Child Assault Prevention [CAP] Program: Helping to keep Newton children SAFE, STRONG & FREE since 1991 is now seeking Volunteer Prevention Specialists for the 2014-2015 School Year

The CAP Program relies on trained volunteers to teach elementary students simple strategies to reduce their vulnerability to verbal, physical and sexual assault. Volunteers work in teams, led by an experienced team captain. Training is provided and 16 CE credits are available for MSWs . This year’s training begins October 18th. Volunteer commitment is 4-6 hours per month, for one school year. For more information and to set up a screening interview please contact Gail Sommer, Director, 617.969.5906 x 143, or gsommer@ncscweb.org. Visit the website www.ncscweb.org for more information.