Category Archives: Events

Riverside Visioning Meeting

Your opinion matters – if you are looking to have input into the culture, community and smart growth of Newton, then join the Riverside Visioning Plan process.

Riverside T Station is at the end of the Green Line and by both 128/95 and the Mass Pike. A private developer is bringing in a proposal to redevelop it with over 600 apartments and a new retail area. It will be in the middle of Auburndale and Lower Falls and will be a part of the Williams School district. The Vision Plan is to find out what you want and what makes sense for Newton. Come participate in a range of work stations and let us know what you would like to see at the site. Refreshments and children’s activities provided!

Find out more about the Riverside vision plan process and sign up for email updates here. February 10th, 4:00 pm

Williams School gymnasium, 114 Grove Street

Vacation Week fun with HIstory

February vacation week programs at Historic Newton. Bring your family to Historic Newton for a full day of historic fun. With Historic Newton educators, try out colonial-era games, explore the museum exhibits, make a diorama, roll your own candles, and more.

Activities run from 11:30 to 1:30 and from 2:00 to 4:00 with a break for lunch. Come for one activity or stay all day! Recommended for elementary-age children; siblings welcome.
Information: 617-641-9142 .

February 20th and February 22nd, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm

February 20th and February 22nd, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm

Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton

Free arts workshop February break

You are invited to a free arts workshop for grades 6 – 9 during February vacation. You will work on a moving panorama, or “crankie,” which is a long continuous scroll illustrated with mixed media, and once put into a box can be cranked to show a moving story. A free public performance of the crankie will take place on February 22nd at 5:00 pm for parents and anyone interested from the local communities. Visit this website for more details about moving panoramas: http://www.thecrankiefactory.com/

Please email marisacalise@goreplace.org to enroll in the workshop.

February 18th – 22nd, 1:00 -4:00 pm

Gore Place, Waltham

What’s Happening at the Y

West Suburban YMCA’s Super Bowl Raffle! The West Suburban YMCA raffled off a Super Bowl trip package, and Newton resident Assunta (Sue) Calcagni was selected as the winner! Sue received 2 tickets to Super Bowl LIII along with airfare, lodging and ground transportation provided by New England Sports Tours. The raffle netted over $20,000 for the Y’s annual fund, which provides financial assistance for programs, services and scholarships at the Y.

Try the Y: Fridays in February are free! Present a valid ID at the welcome desk and use the facilities for the day.

Early Spring Program Registration: Registration is open for early spring session programs. Early spring session runs February 25th – April 14th. Sign up for swim lessons, youth basketball, floor hockey, fitness classes, kids yoga, tai chi, tumbling, music lessons and more.

Pickle Ball – Tuesdays & Thursdays: The West Suburban YMCA hosts drop-in pickle ball on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the gymnasium. Pickle ball is free for West Suburban YMCA members and $5.00 drop-in fee for non-members.

Guided Meditation: Take a moment out of your day for this short, guided meditation that will leave you feeling relaxed, grounded and rejuvenated. Free for West Suburban YMCA members. Led by Jenni Plym in Studio A. February 9th, 9:00 – 9:30 am

Lifeguard Training and Certification Course:Become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard this February. Learn the practical skills necessary to recognize a critical situation and provide lifesaving care to individuals in the water. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications are included in the course.

Weekend course: February 9th, 16th, 17th and 23rd, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm each day.
School vacation week course: February 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. Students must be present for ALL days of their chosen course. Visit wsymca.org to register or call 617-244-6050.

Family Fun Night: Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, games and more! FREE and open to all. Family Fun Nights are generously sponsored by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation and occur on the second Tuesday of every month. February 12th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

February Vacation Programs: Do your kids need something to do while they are off from school for February vacation? The West Suburban YMCA is offering full day and half day program options February 19th – February 22nd. Call 617-244-6050 for more information or visit www.wsymca.org.

Spring YBA (Youth Basketball Association) League: Registration is open for the Y’s spring YBA league which runs March 2nd – April 14th. YBA is a fun league for boys and girls ages 4-12 to learn and play basketball. The league is separated into four age groups: Mini (ages 4-5), Biddy (ages 6-7), Rookie (ages 8-9) and Collegiate (ages 10-12). All leagues are co-ed, and volunteer coaches are encouraged. For more information and to register visit www.wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050.

Summer Camp Registration is Open! The West Suburban YMCA offers three summer camps: Camp Pikati at the Y, Camp Chickami in Wayland, MA and Camp Frank A. Day in East Brookfield, MA. Each camp offers children a unique and engaging summer experience. Attend one of the Y’s upcoming camp info sessions to learn more about summer camp.

Upcoming Camp Info Sessions at the Y:

February 6th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
February 11th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
February 20th, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
March 2nd, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

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

Teen Summer Expo

The Teen Summer Expo is FREE and open to everyone!

Meet personally with the directors of a wide variety of enriching summer programs for high school and middle school students. Programs for every budget and every interest including academic enrichment, adventure travel, teen tours, teen camps, community service, internships, intensive sport instruction, language immersion, arts, theatre, music, college prep, STEM and gap year programs.

The Expo lets you efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, costs, safety, camp and supervision.

For more information visit www.teensummerexpos/newton-south

January 28th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Newton South High School Cafeteria

PRE-REGISTER to receive a list of exhibiting programs.

Mason-Rice PTO online auction

The Mason-Rice Elementary School PTO’s annual online auction is now live and runs until January 28th!

Go to www.biddingforgood.com/masonrice. The auction has something for everyone…discounts on all of the popular kids’ summer camps, classes for kids, fitness classes and health club memberships, vacation rentals, tickets to games, museum passes, theater tickets, gift cards to local salons, spas, stores, restaurants…and SO MUCH MORE!

Ward PTO online auction

Please visit the Ward Elementary School PTO Auction and get ready to be wow’ed by:

  • Fantastic Sports Tickets and Memorabilia
  • Luxurious Gold Outings
  • Relaxing Beauty and Spa Services
  • Exciting adventures and hotel stays
  • Stimulating lessons and activities for kids including many camps
  • Gift cards to all your favorite restaurants
  • and much more!!

Bidding is open January 24th – 31st
BID Here EARLY AND OFTEN!

Future Chefs Challenge

Once again, the Newton Public Schools food service partner Sodexo, is hosting the Future Chefs culinary competition! This year, the theme is Mexican. Just fill out the entry form with your favorite Mexican recipe. One winner from each school will be chosen to participate in a cooking contest at Newton North High School on March 26th. We can’t wait to see your creative recipes and taste those amazing dishes!

Entries are due February 8th. Forms can be picked up in the main office or the cafeteria at each elementary school and then returned to either location by the deadline. For more information, please visit the NPS website.

Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents

Teach children to manage their time, space and materials and keep their emotions in check!

This presentation will cover powerful strategies to help your child develop independent executive function; teach students to internally sense the sweep of time, self-monitor in order to sustain concentration, manage pace, and complete tasks in allocated time frames; improve students’ motivation and task initiation, help them to plan homework and long-term projects/papers, and coach students to think in an organized way; and encourage self-initiative to manage homework and personal belongings.

Ms. Kristen Jacobsen, MS CCC-SLP is a trained speech-language pathologist who is Co-Director at the Cognitive Connections Executive Function Practice. She is currently working with Newton Public Schools to develop an Executive Function program for middle school students. She provides training and coaching for teachers and professionals, parent consultations, as well as student coaching services. Ms. Jacobsen has worked as an educational consultant and speech-language pathologist in public education, private schools and hospital settings, and has provided teacher training seminars and school consultations nationally.

Sponsored by Newton SEPAC and Newton Public Schools

February 13th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Newton North High School Auditorium
457 Walnut Street, Newton

February Vacation Activities & Early Spring Clubs

Announcing February Vacation activities and Spring clubs at the Makers’ Corner!
The Makers’ Corner after school program serves students in grades 6-8, and is located in the Underwood School. To see activity and club descriptions, register for those and for the regular Makers’ Corner program, visit www.underwoodafterschool.org/makerscorner.

February Vacation week
February 19th – 21st, 8:15 am – 5:30 pm each day (sign up by the day)
February 19th: Woodworking Day – Make Your Own Candy Dispenser
February 20th: Intro to Glassblowing at the Diablo Glass School
February 21st: Studio Tour & Making a Mock Newscast at NewTV

Spring Clubs
Sewing Stuffed Animals Club, Tuesdays, 2:00-4:15 pm, March 5th – April 9th
Scene Shop Props, Costumes, & Sets Club, Thursdays, 2:45 – 4:15 pm , March 7th – May 9th
Build Your Own Infinity Light Table Club, Fridays, 2:45 – 4:15 pm, March 1st – Apr 5th