Category Archives: Events

“The Best Night At North” to help bring Science equipment to underprivileged students

North student Julia Davis is organizing a fundraiser called “The Best Night At North” to help bring Science equipment to underprivileged students in Boston. The evening will include the artistic musical and dance talents of students who have volunteered their time to help raise funds to support the budding Robotics program at Excel Charter School in Boston.

Come enjoy a world-class violinist, classically trained dancers from Boston Ballet, and All That Jazz, as well as guitarists and acapella groups. It promises to be an amazing night of great talent and good works and 100% of all money collected will be donated directly to Excel in Boston. $20 suggested donation per ticket or $15 student ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.studentartistsforscience.org 

May 17th,  7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton North Little Theater

What’s Happening at the Y

National Police Week May 12th – 18th
In honor of National Police Week,  all area police officers are invited to try the Y for free during the week. Sign a waiver at the Welcome Center and show your badge or other proof you are law enforcement and try out the facilities free of charge. Please spread the word to your family and friends in law enforcement!

Family Fun Night May 14th,  6:00 – 7:00 pm
Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.

Summer Camp Open Houses
Learn about the Y’s summer camps, meet the staff, take a tour, and discover which camp is right for your child.
YMCA Camp Pikati -Day camp at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, MA for ages 3-15
May 11th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm and June 10th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
YMCA Camp Chickami – Day camp in Wayland, MA for grades 1-10
May 11th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and June 6th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
YMCA Camp Frank A. Day – Overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-16
May 19th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and June 2nd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner – May 16th,  6:00 – 8:00 pm
The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner celebrates the people who help fulfill the promise to strengthen the community – the members, staff, and volunteers! Join as they introduce new board members, take a look back at highlights from 2018, recognize generous donors and the people who make a difference at the Y. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event: www.wsymca.org/rsvp

Safety Around Water Open House – May 19th, 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Join the Y for a free water safety open house, which includes a swim lesson and parent resources. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Water safety and learning to swim are vital life skills that should be taught just as readily as looking both ways before crossing the street. With summer right around the corner, this is a great time for parents to remember the importance of equipping children (and themselves!) with essential water safety skills. Please RSVP to this event here: www.wsymca.org/water-safety

Fitness Competition Fundraiser -May 22nd, 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to compete in the Y’s first ever Fitness Competition Fundraiser to benefit the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund! You’ll be tested on three events: Maximum number of burpees in one minute, maximum number of wall balls in one minute, and maximum number of sled pushes in one minute. Participates can check in with a member of the fitness staff to complete the challenges! Entry fee is $25 and all proceeds go to the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund, which allows the Health and Wellness Department to provide access to many life-changing programs such as Y Empower for young girls and Livestrong at the YMCA for cancer survivors. More information: donate.wsymca.org/fitcomp

Intro to Women’s Self Defense Class – May 29th,  6:00 – 9:00 pm
The West Suburban YMCA is proud to collaborate with the Newton Police Department to host an Intro to Women’s Self Defense class. In this three-hour class, participants will learn risk reduction strategies, physical techniques and basic combative moves. During the final part of the class, the Newton Police Instructors will put on protective suits and allow participants to practice what they just learned on a moving person. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space in the class is limited.

Family Bingo Night – May 30th, 6:00pm
Bring the whole family for a fun night of pizza, BINGO, and prizes! Cost is $20 per family if you pre-register, or $25 per family at the door. All proceeds go directly toward the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund, which provides opportunities for children to grow socially and emotionally among their peers, have a safe space during after school hours, and gain access to healthier habits through swim and sports classes. More Information: donate.wsymca.org/bingo

Annual Golf Tournament – June 3rd at the Charles River Country Club
Since its inception, this charity golf tournament has raised over $1.25 million for the Y and those they serve. There is still time to sign up as a player or sponsor the event. To learn more, contact Andrea Newman at 617-244-6050 x3097 or andrean@wsymca.org.

Volunteers Needed: Can you read and write in Spanish, Chinese or Russian?
The Y is seeking volunteers to help with a one-time translation project that will help them better serve our community. If you are interested in helping or would like more details, please contact Kristen Hydinger at kristenh@wsymca.org.

New Summer Creative Arts Programs
Fill this summer with singing, dancing, painting, and more! With Creative Arts, youth can explore their creative side through group lessons, unique projects, and exploring what it means to be an artist. Explore exciting art mediums in the new Explorations! program for ages 6-10, learn to collaborate in the Summer Rock Band program for ages 8-17, or try the new Vocal Intensive Workshop for ages 12+.

2019-2020 After School Enrollment Open Now
The West Suburban YMCA Out-of-School Time program is committed to making a difference in the lives of every child and family who choose the Y for after school care. Their program is open to children in grades K-8, and transportation to the Y is available from most elementary schools in Newton. Enrollment is open for the 2019-2020 school year!

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Final Open Houses for Highlands After School Program

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, has only a few slots open for the fall. They’re hosting 3 last open houses which are a terrific opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year and see the wonderful space that is the home base of this terrific program. For more information or to arrange an alternative time to visit please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org

Open Houses: May 11th, May 29th, and June 10th, 5 – 6:00 pm
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands

Newton Community Preservation Committee meeting – May 14th

The Community Preservation Program website at www.newtonma.gov now includes the pre-meeting packet for the CPC meeting and a link to a new, 8-question community survey.  The May 14th agenda includes a final report on the Farlow Park Pond & Bridge project in Newton Corner, plus committee business. Please take the survey and share your ideas about how Newton should use its CPA funds! For assistance, contact Alice Ingerson at 617-796-1144 or aingerson@newtonma.gov.

10th Annual SEPAC Special Educator Awards!

The SEPAC Special Educator Awards are presented to Newton faculty and staff members who have done exceptional work with students receiving special education services.

Parents, guardians and students may nominate any NPS staff member who they believe has gone above and beyond in their work with special education students (ie: special ed staff, regular ed staff, principals, aides, BT’s, administrative staff, custodians, crossing guards, etc).

Please note that the awards do not identify you or your child by name; only the honoree is given the name of the person who nominated him/her.

Click on the link to submit your nomination! https://forms.gle/QxVPC22kG8h3Sy979

May 30th, 6:00 pm
Newton South High School Cafeteria*
140 Brandeis Road

*please note new location

Newton PorchFest 2019 – June 1st

Come enjoy PorchFest! Newton PorchFest is an afternoon of free music performances on porches, front lawns and driveways around the city on Saturday, June 1st. PorchFest 2019 will include the villages of Auburndale, Lower Falls and Waban where over 100 musical acts will be performing from 12 Noon to 6:00 pm.

Gather family and friends, grab a blanket or chair and stroll the neighborhoods enjoying a wide variety of musical styles. There will be Jazz, Pop, Rock, Funk, R&B, Classical, Barbershop and more!

Check out the schedule at https://newton.porchfest.info/  to plan your route – maybe ride a bike to cover more ground! To make planning easier the schedule is arranged by village.

Don’t miss this free event – fun for all the family!

June 1st, 12:00 – 6:00 pm (Raindate June 2nd)

Support equity in student travel at the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) Dinner!

The Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) provides financial aid to low-income Newton high school students to participate in life-changing educational travel opportunities through the Newton Public Schools. Join the GELF dinner and help make educational travel a reality for students at Newton North who would not otherwise be able to participate. The annual dinner features a 5-course gourmet meal paired with fine beer and wine, an auction, live band, dancing, and table service by the Newton mayor, superintendent of schools and school principals.

The annual GELF dinner raises more than $50,000. This allows 20-30 low-income students to participate in the 15-20 different international programs offered every year through Newton Public Schools. The educational travel opportunities open doors that would otherwise be out of reach and help students to become more engaged, global citizens.

This school year, GELF has already awarded nearly $60,000 in scholarships to support
students on nearly every international program offered by the schools. Help make sure we can continue this level of financial aid!

Do join for dinner and a night of events! If you cannot join, please consider
donating to support a teacher to attend the event or make a tax-deductible donation here. For questions, please email Samantha Mandel at Samantha_mandel@newton.k12.ma.us.

Payment by check: Make checks ($150/per person for dinner tickets) payable to Newton
Schools Foundation with GELF dinner in the memo line, and mail to Newton Schools
Foundation, 100 Walnut Street, Newton MA 02460.

Click here for tickets https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289

Thank you for your support!

Community coming together to create something wonderful.

Joe Landry’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play turns one of the most beloved Christmas stories of the twentieth century on its head as a group of radio actors bring George Bailey and his fellow citizens to life. With a cast featuring 36 members of the Newton community, this show is a stunning example of a community coming together to create something wonderful. Don’t miss your chance to see Newton’s teachers, clergymen, parents, and mayor onstage! The play will also serve as a fundraiser for Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), a Newton-based non-profit that helps families generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and helps people work together towards racial equity.

Free Admission, with a Suggested Donation to FORJ
Presented in part by the Harmony Foundation and the Newton Human Rights Coalition. This event is part of the 2019 Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts.

Check it out here: https://www.newtontheatrecompany.com/

May 3rd, 7:00 pm
Brown Middle School Auditorium

Join Families Organizing for Racial Justice for a panel discussion

Join FORJ – Families Organizing for Racial Justice for a panel discussion on “Exploring the Experiences of Asian American students in Newton”

FORJ’s May workshop will focus on learning more about the history and demographics of the Asian American community, and exploring the experiences of Asian American students in Newton. This event will include a panel of students, a Q&A, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Asian American community. This workshop is for parents/adults only.

RSVP here: May panel discussion

May 8th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Angier Elementary School