Category Archives: Other

Remember to Vote in Special Election, Tuesday, March 12

The Newton School Committee encourages you to vote “Yes” on the three questions in the special election on Tuesday, March 12. Polls are open from 7AM until 8PM. If you plan to be out of town on the March 12, you can vote on Monday at the Newton Election Commission, 1st floor of City Hall.

On Tuesday, Newton voters will weigh in on an override proposal that is critical to the future of Newton and particularly to Newton’s schools. The 3-question override package includes $4.5 million dollars to address dramatic student enrollment growth, plus funding to renovate or rebuild and expand Newton’s oldest and severely crowded schools.

In the past decade, Newton’s student population has increased by about 1,000 students and 850+ more are projected over the next five years. Schools are bursting at the seams. Question 1 on the March 12 ballot will provide funding to renovate/rebuild and expand the Zervas School, provide modulars for Bowen, Burr, Horace Mann and Mason Rice, and hire additional teachers for the growing student population at all grade levels throughout the district.

Questions 2 and 3 on the ballot will provide funding to enable the rebuilding/renovation and expansion of the antiquated and overcrowded Angier and Cabot—Newton’s oldest school buildings—which the Massachusetts School Building Authority has named among the 30 worst in the state for building condition. Money currently lost on high energy costs and major repairs from these schools can be diverted to other schools. In addition, the expansion of the centrally located Angier, Cabot and Zervas schools will ease the population pressure on surrounding schools throughout Newton. If the overrides pass, Newton stands to receive about $27 million in state reimbursement for the projects.

Mark your calendars and don’t forget to vote YES YES YES on March 12.

Volunteers needed to help Newton seniors live independently

Newton at Home (NAH) is a non-profit member organization that helps Newton senior citizens live independently and safely in their homes.  Most of the services are provided by volunteers, and so we need your help.

We need drivers and those who can do chores around the house for seniors who can’t do these things on their own.

NAH is also looking for help with writing and updating NAH marketing materials, as well as technology support for office staff and the NAH website.  Hours are flexible.  Please call, 617-795-2560, or email NAH today to volunteer.

Family seeks after-school help

Oak Hill family is seeking after-school care

for grade-school girls (2nd and 6th graders). Perfect opportunity for teacher aides/student teachers who work mornings in NPS, drive & have own transportation. Hours are 2:30 to 5:30 or 6:00 M,W,Th,F and 12:30-5:00pm Tuesdays. Immediate start, commitment until end of academic semester needed. Please send qualifications or questions via email  or call 508-333-3500.

Join Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, May 5

Do you want to help feed hungry people in Massachusetts? Food insecurity is a very real problem – more than 750,000 people (many of them children and elders) experienced some kind of hunger in Massachusetts last year. Project Bread works with 430 community food programs to provide more than 61 millions meals a year to hungry people. Project Bread

is also working to improve the quality and sustainability of Massachusetts food programs, especially in schools, so that a healthy and nutritious lifestyle can be available to everyone. Because Project Bread believes that the opposite of hungry isn’t full, it’s healthy.

You have the ability to change the world, just by taking a few steps. Visitwww.projectbread.org/walk to get more information, register an individual or a team of walkers, or sign up to volunteer. Join over 40,000 people on Sunday, May 5, as we walk 20 miles around Boston, raising almost $4 million to help feed hungry people throughout Massachusetts. We can’t do it without you!

Free yoga for teens, adults at Newton Free Library, Feb. 11

The Newton Free Library is collaborating with the Newton Partnership and organizations throughout Newton on the ”I heart my heart” teen health and wellness campaign happening February 1-14. All programs are FREE at YOUR library.

Yoga for Teens, Monday, February 11, 7:00 pm 
De-stress by taking a yoga class at the Newton Free Library! An instructor from Down Under Yoga in Newtonville will lead a session that builds strength and flexibility, while relieving the stress of daily life. The class will provide the opportunity for teens to focus on themselves in an environment that encourages a balance between pushing boundaries and accepting where they are today. The class will take place in Druker Auditorium. Bring your own mat if you have one, extra mats will be available. For grades 6-12.

All Levels Yoga for Adults, Monday, February 11, 8:00 pm
Attend a free, stress-relieving yoga class at the library! Bring your own mat if you have one, extra mats will be available. The class will take place in Druker Auditorium.

Backpacks needed for Hurricane Sandy victims

When you’re shopping this week, please consider buying a a backpack and supplies (notebook, pens, pencils, markers, etc.) for a child whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

When children in New York’s Rockaways neighborhood lost their homes and belongings, they lost their school supplies.  Backpacks, school supplies, and warm socks, mittens, and winter hats are needed.

If you order from Amazon.com, please send the backpack & supplies to:
Church of St Luke & St Matthew
520 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238.

Or buy local and deliver the backpack and supplies in the box in the foyer at First Unitarian Society, 1326 Washington St, across from the Newton police station.

If you send a backpack via Amazon.com, please send an email to Margaret Z., volunteer coordinator, so she keep track of how many backpacks are sent and tell OccupySandy how many backpacks are coming!

Treatment Program for Teen Girls with Depression

The Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Laboratory at McLean Hospital is once again recruiting depressed female adolescents (ages 13-18) for a treatment program.

Have you noticed your daughter feeling depressed? If your child is between the ages of 13 and 18 and has been feeling depressed or has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, she could receive free cognitive behavioral therapy for 16 weeks as part of a research study in the Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Lab at McLean Hospital. For more information, please contact Casey Gardiner at 617-855-4240 or by email. 

Dine Out for a Good Cause, Dec. 5

Have dinner at Fiorella’s in Newtonville (eat in or take out) on December 5 and 20% of your order will be donated to a scholarship fund established by the Newton Educational Secretaries Association (NESA).

 

Each spring the NESA awards a scholarship to one graduate from each Newton North and Newton South. Fiorella’s has graciously agreed to donate proceeds to help fund these important scholarships for families in need.

Help fund the scholarships while enjoying a delicious meal before the holiday rush! All you have to do is go to Fiorella’s (187 North St., Newtonville) for dinner between 4:00 & 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 5. Be sure to mention that you’re supporting the NESA Fundraiser.