Category Archives: Events

Two Massachusetts Moms Say No to College Debt for Kids

Last summer two friends were chatting about how expensive college tuition is these days and the impending mounds of debt their collective six kids were most likely going to
be faced with.

They decided plan the first ever Massachusetts Strategic Scholarship Bootcamp. Kerry Strollo, mom and event co-organizer said “This is about educating parents that you don’t have to sit idly by and just hope something down the line will work out financially for your kids. This is about early success planning so you (and your kiddos) are not panicked when they are a senior in High School on how they, or you, will afford college. Who knew kids in 7th and 8th grade can start to obtain and stockpile scholarships, and High Schoolers can earn so much they pay for their college education and then receive overpayments for living expenses after college? I didn’t, and we have 4 kids! As soon as I learned this I wanted to shout it from the mountain tops.”  Strollo added, “There are tips, techniques, and a path to finding the scholarships, however it starts with putting together a plan of action. This Bootcamp is designed to help you craft that plan for success.”

Rosette Cataldo, mom and event co-organizer looks at it though a different lens.  “I watch my kids, albeit great students, wasting time every day on the internet, Fort Nite, YouTube, Netflix…you name it. These kids must use their devices and brains for a better purpose.  I want to educate my children on how to make the internet a gold mine that works for them, their future and not just a time suck.”

This event is all about educating local parents and students at the same time and getting them aligned to work together with a plan so that the family isn’t crippled with debt. This investment in your child’s future is $49.00 per person.  Students are encouraged to join their parents. For more info please visit www.strategicscholarships.com

The Strategic Scholarship Bootcamp will be held:
May 1st, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Marriott Hotel, Newton

Harness the power of social media for positive change

Want your middle-schooler using social media in positive, empowering ways?
Here to help is Mediagirls, a nonprofit that teaches middle-school girls how to discover their self-worth and harness the power of media for positive change!

Check out their upcoming #realmediagirl workshop. The 3-hour workshop will be taught by a team of inspiring Boston University students who serve on the MEDIAGIRLS Leadership Council. Participants will learn to think critically about undermining media messages, define their self-worth, and create empowering and positive content for girls using Instagram and other platforms. Space is limited so register quickly at www.mediagirls.org/Mayworkshop.

May 12th, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington Street, Wellesley

Book Launch party

Please join the book launch party of How To Coach Girls, by Newton moms, Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley. Did you know that 70% of all kids quit organized sports by the age of 13, with girls quitting at 6x the rate of boys?

Alison Foley, Boston College’s Women’s Head Soccer Coach, and Mia Wenjen, parenting blogger at PragmaticMom.com, help coaches — both parent volunteer and professional — crack the code of how to keep girls in sports.

May 11th,  5:00 pm
Artemis Yoga, 639 M. Auburn Street.

Artemis Yoga is owned by Newton mom, Liz Padula.

Happier Now talk

Please join a evening with Happier founder and TED Talk speaker, Nataly Kogan. Nataly will share her game-changing strategies and insights on how you can live a happier life. She will talk about her new book, Happier Now, and about her time volunteering at the SEGA girls school in Tanzania, Africa.

Books will be available for purchase at the event. Reception to follow. Presented by Nurturing Minds, www.nurturingmindsinafrica.org. Purchase tickets at the event website www.tiny.cc/happier. For email inquiries please contact info@nurturingmindsinafrica.org

May 15th,  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown

Reminder about Small Choices – Big Impact

Join a presentation by former New England Patriot Chris Sullivan and his wife Kathi Sullivan. Listen as they share their own personal stories about addiction, mental health and making good choices. This talk is geared to parents and teens. For more information and to RSVP (requested, not required) visit www.newtonma.gov/newtonpath .

April 10th, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Newton South

Film screening and discussion

Discussing depression, anxiety, and suicide is a challenge, but the best possible way to prevent suicide is to talk about it, ask questions, and listen.

“Not Alone” introduces several teens who have struggled with mental health issues and raises awareness about the warning signs and prevention methods. Unlike popular TV shows which provide inaccurate depictions and sensationalize suicide, “Not Alone” sparks an important dialogue and gives teens a context within which they can discuss their feelings or struggles with mental health.

Parents and Teens are invited to view a short film “Not Alone” with experts from Newton Wellesley Hospital and Riverside Community Care. Light Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Newton Free Library Teen Department, Newton Cares, and the Newton Health and Human Services Department. For a flyer about this event, please click Not Alone.

April 9th, 6:30 pm
Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium

Thinking about your spring re-awakening?

Join Newton moms Jen Riff and Michelle Hubbard for these new, exciting classes! Each 1 hour class includes a 30 minute lecture and a 30 minute yoga/pilates movement portion. Bring a mat, a friend, and your wonderful energy! Children are welcome.

Choose one, or do all four:
1. Stress Management: Education and practice of understanding what stress is and reducing it in ways that work for the individual and family. April 5th, 11:30 am

2. Resiliency: Education about the definition of resiliency and how to increase factors that help you bounce back faster from negative events. April 29th, 4:00 pm

3. Anxiety: Education on what anxiety is — positive and negative anxiety, and how to manage it. May 4th, 11:30 am

4. Sleep: Education around why we sleep, the parts of sleep, and what we CAN do to sleep better. May 20th, 4:00 pm

RSVP to MSHEL267@aol.com to reserve a spot or express interest. Each class will cost $30.00 per person.

Dr. Jennifer Riff, Ph.D. in clinical psychology, uses evidence based approaches while focusing on outcomes and results. Specialties include coping with divorce, building resiliency to disease, managing depression and anxiety, building social skills, and strengthening family systems. She strives to support individuals while challenging them to increase their coping strategies and resiliency to risk factors. With her experience and advanced training in a range of treatment modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems, and play therapy, Dr. Riff takes an integrative and collaborative approach to her work. Dr. Riff has a private practice in Newton Highlands.

Michelle Silberman Hubbard, founder of Posture for Performance, is a Stott Certified Pilates instructor and yoga instructor for the past 20 years. Posture for Performance has designed yoga and Pilates based workshops at such companies as Harvard Business School, Stern School of Business, Faulkner Hospital, Roger Williams Law School, Suffolk Law School, and Tufts medical school, in addition to working with hundreds of individuals over the past two decades. A dancer all her life, Michelle studied Theater and Dance and Duke and holds an MFA in Theater from Brandeis. Michelle has a strong daily yoga practice and is passionate about creating daily wellness and joy. A class with Michelle includes core posture work and alignment awareness, with a gentle yoga/pilates combination that will stretch, tone and strengthen you all over. You can contact Michelle at MSHEL267@aol.com for additional information.

Class for Mom: Your Return to Work Career Journey

Join in to learn about the steps you should be taking to re-enter the workforce. If you’re contemplating returning, have made the decision to return, or have already started your search and are looking for suggestions and support, they’ll help you connect the dots by sharing tips, ideas, and 1:1 advice on how to successfully navigate the next chapter of your career. Learn how the working environment has changed, how to deal with your resume gap, and what tech training to get.

Everyone’s welcome, but this class is especially targeted to #womenreturners. Sponsored by Newton Community Education.

April 12th,  7:00 – 9:00 pm
Newton South High School

McDonald’s Education Workshop and College Fair

Every year, McDonald’s hosts free education workshops and college fairs throughout the United States to provide families the opportunity to learn about the college admissions process and explore their possibilities. This year, the Boston event will be held at Newton South HS.

During the event, families will have a chance to meet with university representatives from over 25 New England colleges, learn tips and advice at planning workshops, meet one-on- one with former college admissions officers and take a diagnostic ACT exam. It is recommended that families register in advance, as seating during the workshops is limited and priority will be given to registered participants.

For a full schedule and to register, visit: http://bit.ly/ed-fair

April 29th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre