Category Archives: Other

Free February Vacation Week Gym Events for Middle School Kids

Monday, February 17th:
Like Basketball and Hockey?
Instructor: Mark Beshansky from Higlands After School Program
Mark will begin by focusing on your passing, shooting, and defensive drills. Then play basketball and hockey using the skills you have just perfected. No experience required!

Tuesday, February 18th:
Cheer Dance Worksop
Instructor: Gemma Santamaria from Paulette’s Dance Studio
Gemma was a co-captian of the Needham HS Varsity Dance Team, bringing them to the state championship in 2009 with her choreographed routine. In addition to dancing, Gemma works for Mix 98.5 radio station — how cool is she?

Wednesday, February 19th:
Fantastic Frisbee Fun
Instructor: Todd Brodeur
Todd Brodeur is a two-time freestyle champion who entertains and teaches his audience with frisbee shows and playshops. Frisbee flipping is a fun and exciting way to be active!

Thursday, February 20th:
Self Defense Workshop and Demo
Instructor: Paul Shuster from Clark’s Self Defense in Waban
Learn from the master! Paul Shuster is the head instructor at Clark’s Self Defense and is trained in Kempo Karate, Ju Jitsu, and Aikido

Friday, February 21st:
Learn New Moves! Hip Hop Workshop
Instructor: Kassandra Radeau from Phunk Phenomenon
Does Kassandra sound familiar? That’s because she was on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 6! Kassandra has also received tons of awards and medals, and loves to teach hip hop to students.

Sponsored by the Newton Highlands Community Development Corp. and The Newton Partnership. For more information: 617.527.3308 or http://thenewtonpartnership.org/attend-an-event/?month=feb&yr=2014

2:00-4:00 pm all week. All events will take place at Hyde Community Center Gym, 90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands

Open Positions on City of Newton Boards/Commissions/Advisory Committees

Citizen involvement in local government has been one of Mayor Warren’s highest priorities since taking office and Newton has the good fortune to be home to a wealth of knowledgeable and talented individuals. Current opening for talented residents  to volunteer on a Board or Commission include:

BioSafety Committee
The Mayor is looking for volunteers to serve on the Biosafety Committee. This Committee oversees the use of recombinant DNA, infectious agents, and biohazardous materials in the course of research. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all applications, proposals, activities and facilities for the purpose of research. While the Committee has not met in more than 10 years, there is renewed interest in the economic development potential of biotech firms. The Biosafety Committee is comprised of nine (9) members including the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, two (2) members of the Newton Health Advisory Council appointed by the Commissioner, three (3) members appointed by the Mayor, at least one of whom is a scientist knowledgeable in the field of rDNA research and technology and the other two with experience in public health, occupational health, infectious diseases or environmental health and three (3) members appointed by the Board of Aldermen, one of whom represents public health. If interested, please send a resume along with a letter of interest to Reenie Murphy at rmurphy@newtonma.gov.

Traffic Council
The City of Newton is seeking a qualified Newton resident with expertise in traffic engineering or traffic planning to serve as the Citizen Representative on the Newton Traffic Council. The Citizen Representative will be appointed by the Mayor for a term of three (3) years. The Traffic Council reviews site-specific requests for traffic and parking changes and is composed of five voting members, including one Citizen, one Alderman, and three City staff members representing the Planning, Police and Public Works Departments. If interested, please send a resume along with a letter of interest to Reenie Murphy at rmurphy@newtonma.gov.

Youth Commission
There are several openings for membership on the Newton Youth Commission which is a volunteer body of high school students and adults working together to empower youth. The commission has seven voting members ages 13-19 from all over the city who are appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Aldermen. Commissioners learn about civic engagement and connect with city officials. Please visit www.newtonma.gov/youth for an application. Questions should be directed to Jenny O’Leary, Director of Youth Services, 617-796-1436, joleary@newtonma.gov.

Youth Advisory Committee
There are openings on the Advisory Board to the Youth Commission, which is appointed by the Mayor, with the advice of the youth commission. The advisory board has twenty youth and adult members selected to represent, police, schools, health, recreation and other public or private organizations concerned with youth. Adults interested in applying for the Advisory Board should submit both a resume and statement of interest. Youth interested should submit an application. Applications can be found at www.newtonma.gov/youth. Questions should be directed to Jenny O’Leary, Director of Youth Services, 617-796-1436, joleary@newtonma.gov.

Energy Smart Homes

The Mayor’s Energy Smart Newton program is kicking off its Energy Smart Homes initiative to engage 350 Newton residents in $75,000 of annual energy bill savings by June 1st.

Representatives of Next Step Living will be on hand to explain how state efficiency programs work, including how you can get 75% off (up to $2000) energy improvements and access no interest loans, as well as other incentives. As a special incentive for Newton residents, if you complete a no-cost home energy assessment or heating and cooling assessment between January 29th and June 1st, you will also receive a $10 or $25 gift card to Newton Whole Foods.

Please join on Wednesday, January 29th, at 7:00 pm in the War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall to help kick off the Newton Energy Smart Homes.

Baby it’s cold outside!

Older adults, members of Newton at Home, need your help. Consider becoming a volunteer for Newton at Home. Drivers are needed to accompany members to appointments, shopping and trips to Logan Airport. As residents of Newton you know your way around! Please be in touch to support a growing community of neighbors-helping-neighbors.

Please call Julie Plaut Mahoney at 617-795-2560 or email: volcoord@newtonathome.org and THANKS.

Public Hearings on proposals to Community Preservation Comm., Jan. 9, 22

The Newton Community Preservation committee has scheduled hearings to receive public comment on several new funding proposals:

Thursday, 9 January, 7 pm, City Hall Room 209
– Allen House (West Newton), CPA request $2,000,000;
– Historic Burying Grounds, CPA request $290,207.

Wednesday, 22 January, 7 pm, Weeks House, 7 Hereward Road, Newton Centre:
– Farlow Park (Newton Corner, historic resources), CPA request $476,780
– Newton Highlands Playground (recreation), current CPA request $240,000 (anticipated CPA construction request $1,960,000).

For more information, including the full text of all proposals, maps to meeting locations other than City Hall, and the deadline for submitting written comments if you cannot attend a hearing in person, visit the CPC website or contact Alice Ingerson, 617.796.1144 or aingerson <at> newtonma <dot> gov.

Public Hearings on proposals to Community Preservation Comm., Jan. 9, 22

The Newton Community Preservation committee has scheduled hearings to receive public comment on several new funding proposals:

Thursday, 9 January, 7 pm, City Hall Room 209
– Allen House (West Newton), CPA request $2,000,000;
– Historic Burying Grounds, CPA request $290,207.

Wednesday, 22 January, 7 pm, Weeks House, 7 Hereward Road, Newton Centre:
– Farlow Park (Newton Corner, historic resources), CPA request $476,780
– Newton Highlands Playground (recreation), current CPA request $240,000 (anticipated CPA construction request $1,960,000).

For more information, including the full text of all proposals, maps to meeting locations other than City Hall, and the deadline for submitting written comments if you cannot attend a hearing in person, visit the CPC website or contact Alice Ingerson, 617.796.1144 or aingerson <at> newtonma <dot> gov.

Talking to Your Child About Their Disabilities:A Panel Discussion

Dr. David Gotthelf, Coordinator for Therapeutic Services and Head School Psychologist, Dan Almeida, Coordinator for BCBA services and Miriam Kornitzer–Assistant principal for student services at Day Middle School, will lead a discussion of how to talk with your child about his or her disabilities. Topics will include the developmental readiness of kids to discuss and understand different issues, as well as parent communication of expectations and limit setting, sharing of feelings, and the use of resources such as therapists to help facilitate communication. The panel will be open to questions and shared experiences from parents.
January 14th at 7:30 pm in room 210 of the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street. Networking and light refreshments will begin at 7:15 pm.

For any questions please contact Eileen Sandberg, NewtonPAC Chair, at eileen.sandberg.newtonpac@gmail.com. Thanks!

“I think I’m getting smart!”

Become a Newton School Volunteer and hear these words from a student.

*Tutor a 2nd – 5th grade child in basic mathematics concepts once a week
for 30-45 minutes.
*Select your preferred school, grade, day, and time.
*Play special math games that reinforce skills and help students gain
confidence and competence.
*Training, Everyday Math books and learning materials, and ongoing support
are provided.
*No teaching experience is needed.

For more information, please contact Ellen Bender at 617-559-6131 or at
ellen_bender@newton.k12.ma.us.

News from the Newton Schools Foundation

Campaign for Innovation Under Way!
Last spring, NSF kicked off our campaign to fund the expansion of innovation in the Newton Public Schools (NPS). NPS faculty and administration identified a variety of innovative initiatives throughout the school system that foster the development of creative thinking, collaborative problem solving, communication, and leadership skills students need to prepare for college and future jobs as well allowing educators to pursue new opportunities that will have the greatest impact on their practices, the lives of their students, and their school communities. Click here for more information

NSF Launches 2013-14 Annual Appeal
In November, NSF launched the 2013-14 Annual Appeal to support the Campaign for Innovation. Your donation will enable the Newton Public Schools to expand exciting new innovative initiatives throughout Newton’s 22 schools. Follow this link for information about donating and to donate online.