Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Seeking Volunteers for 2018-2019 School Year

The Newton Child Assault Prevention Program is seeking volunteers for 2018-2019 school year. Do you have three mornings a month free during the school year? Are you looking for a meaningful and fun way to make a difference in children’s lives?

If so, then join the dynamic team of trained CAP volunteers who are committed to using guided discussions and role plays to teach elementary age children in the Newton Schools that they have the right to be Safe, Strong and Free with their friends and peers, when they meet adult strangers, and with those who are trusted to take care of them. Now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year, the next training begins on October 28th.

For more information or an application, please visit
http://familyaccess.org/family-support/child-assault-prevention/ or contact Gail Sommer, Director, at 617-969-5906, ext. 143 or gsommer@familyaccess.org

Newton Youth Players – “Hello Dolly”

Newton Youth Players is a children’s theatre company at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, for elementary school children who love to sing, dance, act, and construct scenery. Each summer, fall, winter and spring season they produce adaptations of popular Broadway musicals that the whole family will enjoy. The Monday cast is led by the exceptionally talented team of Co-Directors: Hannah Rosenberg and Linda Goetz. Hannah recently became a part of Newton Theatre Company as an actor and Development Director. Linda Goetz is a professional actress, writer and director; and one of the founders of the Newton Nomadic Theater.

There is still a chance to sign up for “Hello Dolly” on Mondays, September 17th  – December 17th, rehearsals 6:30 –8:00 pm. An all-time Broadway favorite, this show is the story of matchmaker Dolly Levi and her wooing of grumpy Horace Vandergelder. The setting is turn-of-the-century New York City, with its shops, famous restaurants, and plenty of young New Yorkers enjoying the scene. Registration and information is at www.newtonyouthplayers.com.

In-Home Math Tutoring

Sophomore at Brown University majoring in math with a passion for helping students with a wide-range of math tutoring needs including algebra, calculus and linear algebra is available for in-home tutoring.  He offers a structured program based on students’ individual needs at the rate of $65.00/hour.

Please feel free to call Matthew at 617-610-8444 or email Matthew_siff@brown.edu.

Avoid the Math Summer Slide!

Studies show that most students fall more than 2 months behind in math over the summer months. Summer is a great time to catch up, keep up or get a jump start on next year’s math.

Mathnasium Learning Center in Newton & Wellesley offer effective, affordable (as low as $29.00/session) tutoring with flexible individualized scheduling. To enroll or for more information, please contact 617-340-3665 or visit www.mathsummer.com.

Write Successful Essays for Your College Application

Rising seniors, summer is the perfect time to start working on your college application essay and Newton Community Education can help you prepare. Their “Write Successful Essays for Your College Application” course will help you create a standout essay. You’ll work with a professional writer who will help you choose your topic and improve your writing style. Start by discussing what colleges are looking for, and then, you’ll write.

You’ll receive weekly written feedback on your essays as well as helpful critiques from your classmates. By the end of the class you’ll be well on your way towards completion of two Common Application essays, and you’ll get a handle on other essays your college applications may require. You can take the class at Newton North or Newton South. The South class will run 4 Wednesdays beginning July 11th . The North class will run 4 Thursdays beginning July 12th. To register, newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

Plugged in

There are still some spaces available in this year’s Music that Matters Summer Camp. The camp is for ages 11-18 and includes band class, songwriting, recording a song for a CD, music video, workshops, offsite events, and performance opportunities. Each session ends with a benefit concert that raises money for a charitable organization chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world. In addition to summer camp, Plugged In offers weekly ensemble band classes during the fall and spring, private lessons and songwriting workshops.

MTM runs from a unique nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome.

MTM runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and is offered in (2) two week sessions from July 9th – 20th and July 23rd – August 3rd. Students can sign up for one or both sessions. Late pick up is available. Information and online registration form is at www.pluggedinband.org/programs/summer-program/.

Founded in 2002, Plugged In now has over 150 students from all over Massachusetts. Some of the students experience emotional and learning difficulties, such as ADD, depression, and low-self-esteem and/or have special needs such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. In the loving and non-competitive atmosphere at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

In addition to weekly ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year Plugged In students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world.

NSF and HTT Program

Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) is a vital catalyst of community support for the Newton Public Schools. NSF raises private funds from sources across the Newton community, not only from parents and alumni, but also from individuals, local businesses and foundations who want to make a difference by supporting education and local schools. NSF works closely with school leadership to find ways to enhance and enrich the ongoing curriculum and helps provide opportunities to explore ideas that would not otherwise be possible under the usual constraints of the annual school budget.

NSF supported programs impact schoolchildren of all age groups throughout Newton. These programs range the gamut of content areas, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Environment and Sustainability, Closing the Achievement Gap, Arts, Literacy, Social/Emotional Learning, and Global Learning.

Initiatives supported by NSF for the elementary schools, specifically, include new curricula and learning opportunities that foster high achievement for all students, such as Instrumental Music Programs (professional instrumental clinicians support ensemble music programs and give individualized instruction to students); Zones of Regulation (a cohesive social-emotional curriculum that helps K-1st students learn to self-regulate); Integrated Arts Curriculum: (art teachers coordinating with the science and social studies curriculum); and One Book, One Kindness Convention – Race and Culture (a school-wide reading initiative designed to create greater understanding about the impact of race and racial identity on the school experience).

In addition, NSF supports programs for the professional development of elementary school educators to identify and pursue new methods of teaching and deepen their knowledge of critical content areas, such as Elementary Teacher Summer Writing Institute (a program fostering successful teaching strategies for implementing the Common Core-aligned writing curriculum); Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers (teachers explore through books and discussion racial and cultural experiences); Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain (helps build professional understanding and skills around the linkages between Race and Achievement, and develop strategies identified through brain research, as well as the programs Courageous Conversations and Culturally Proficient Teaching), the Research and Writing Institute (a program open to library, classroom, ESL and SPED teachers that focuses on the specific writing skills that students use in research projects, and helps develop strategies on how to best implement these skills to children in grades 2-5), and Responsive Classroom Training (a nationally used, research-and evidence-based way of teaching that improves students’ social and academic skills and raises teachers’ instructional quality). A sample flyer describing these programs is attached for your information.

NSF also supports an array of exciting programs at the middle and high school levels. For details, you can visit the NSF website at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org.

Flyers with more information regarding the campaign will be sent home with the elementary school students in their backpacks shortly.

Struggling to manage your child’s screen time?

Curious to find ways to strike a healthy balance for kids growing up in this digital age? Join a panel of experts from Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry department for a screening of Screenagers. This award-winning documentary film is designed to spark a conversation between adults, students, and schools about navigating the benefits and challenges of increasing technology in our lives.

An open Q & A discussion with Newton-Wellesley’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry experts will immediately follow at 7:45 pm, featuring:

· Susan Swick, MD, Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
· Michael Jellinek, MD, Medical Director, Psychiatry, Director of Collaborative for Healthy Families and Children
· Nicole Danforth, MD, Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
· Richard Ginsburg, PhD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Parents are invited to watch the film with their children (recommended for ages 10 and older). This event is free and open to the public. To register, please call 617-243-5900.

May 23rd, Film screening 6:30 pm, Q&A, 7:45 pm
Newton-Wellesley Hospital Shipley Auditorium, 2014 Washington Street, Newton

Flyer attached.

The Monologue Project: Voices of Color

“I wanted to share in the telling of stories of people of color in our community. A long overdue opportunity to reaffirm that yes, we are here.”- Student performer, The Monologue Project: Voices of Color, 2017.

Join Newton Theatre Company, in partnership with Newton North High School, Newton South High School and Newton Department of Health and Human Services, as it brings back to the stage for the second year in a row The Monologue Project: Voices of Color! Similarly to last year, this show is part of a Festival of the Arts in Newton.

The Monologue Project promises to be a unique and inspiring event, showcasing Newton students of color as they perform their own original prose and poetic writing. The show will be followed by a talkback with the performers. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this artistic, community event and to support Newton youth as they share their stories.

The show runs June 1st – 3rd with two evening performances June 1st and 2nd and one afternoon performance June 3rd. Admission to the show is free and there is no need to get tickets beforehand. More information can be found at www.NewtonTheatreCompany.com

June 1st and 2nd, 7:30 pm; June 3rd,  2:00 pm
Cultural Center Auditorium, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton