Category Archives: Other

Deciphering Learning Disabilities and Helping Your Student Succeed

Dr. Ellen Braaten, Director of MGH’s Learning and Emotional Assessment Program
Tuesday, April 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
Film Lecture Hall, Newton North High School

Has your student been diagnosed with a learning disability? Or are you wondering whether he or she has a learning disability? When we think of Special Education, we often think of students with visible disabilities. Yet specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, perceptual disabilities, slow processing speed, and attention issues account for fifty percent of the students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Please join the Newton North and Newton South PTSOs, The Newton Partnership, the Newton North and Newton South Special Education Departments, and the Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education for an exciting and informative discussion of learning disabilities with Dr. Ellen Braaten, director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Braaten will discuss the following:

– Getting an accurate diagnosis for your child
– The parent’s role in supporting a student with learning disabilities
– Strategies for success in high school
– Teaching the student to advocate for himself/herself
– Techniques for managing home life
– Preparing students for life beyond high school with an eye toward independent living

The evening will include time for questions and answers.

Seeking Newton Host family for Month of July

Give your family a wonderful month of cross-cultural experience this summer!    Nothing brings the world closer to home than a friendship with someone from abroad.  Educational Enrichment for Romanian Children (EERC), a small local non-profit, seeks host families for six Romanian students ages 13-15 for five weeks (late June to end of July).  The students are were chosen in a competitive process for their exceptional personal and academic qualities and speak English well.  One teen will attend Newton Environmental Science camp;  the five others will attend camps in Sudbury and Hopkinton.  You may select to host a boy or girl and preview their file.  For more information, please contact Dr. Dana Floru  at dfloru@eercboston.org,  tel 781-820-2324. Details about EERC can be found at www.eercboston.org

Cradles to Crayons

Junior Troop 73010 is organizing a community children’s clothing (and other items) drive for Cradles to Crayons.  Clothes needed from newborn through adult medium.  This is a great time to clean out your closets of outgrown but still in good shape clothes.  Go green and help children in need.  Books, baby equipment, toys and games are welcomed too.  The drop-off will be at City Hall during Newton Serves, on April 29th from 9:00 – 3:00.  We did this last year and filled a truck.  This year we are hoping to do better, maybe even fill 2 trucks.  For more information about Cradles to Crayons and donations needed, go to:  http://cradlestocrayons.org/boston .  Other questions about the drive:  feel free to contact – Alicia Bowman  at alicia.bowman@comcast.net

 

Drive a Senior–Make a Friend!

Newton at Home, a member organization dedicated to helping Newton seniors age in their own homes, is looking for volunteers who can give rides to seniors.  Make a new friend while helping someone get to a doctor’s appointment, the supermarket, a social event or the airport.  Volunteer as much as you can at your convenience, and know that you have made a difference in a Newton senior’s life. You’ll meet interesting people and share great conversation along the way!  Upcoming training sessions will be held on: Thursday, March 1, from 12:30-2pm; Wednesday, March 14, from 10-11:30am; and Monday, March 26, from 10-11:30am.  For more information, call Julie Plaut Mahoney at volcoord@newtonathome.org.

Understanding Temperament – Getting to Really Know Your Own Child

Want to better understand your child’s unique temperament and how s/he will best thrive and grow?  Join psychologist Deborah Weinstock-Savoy who will present Understanding Temperament – Getting to Really Know Your Own Child on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 7:00-8:30 pm.  This free parenting presentation will be held at Mason-Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant St  02459.  No registration required.  Dr Weinstock-Savoy, a dynamic presenter, will lead parents in reflecting on their own personality style and unique parenting strengths.  Four major temperamental styles in children will be explored and how the qualities of introversion and extroversion interact with temperament.  Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and over twenty years of professional experience working with families and educators.  Questions?  Contact 617-244-INFO.  Co-sponsored by the Freedman Center for Child & Family Development at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and The Newton Partnership.

Calling all Artists! Proposals Accepted for New Public Art Project

Want to be part of Newton’s newest public art project? Proposals are now being accepted for NewtonSERVES BoxART, a plan to create art on those drab, green utility boxes that are scattered throughout the city.

To aesthetically enhance village space, all Newton artists, amateur and experienced alike, are invited to submit proposals. The NewtonSERVES BoxART Committee feels vibrant public art creates an inviting environment and a sense of place and will choose proposals that will help achieve these goals. Proposals should be imaginative, positive, colorful and create delight.

Between five and 12 artists will be chosen to paint the boxes between April 27 and May 12 as part of NewtonSERVES. The Request for Proposals can be downloaded from the website (PDF). More details are available at the Newton Community Pride site.

Host Family Needed June-July

Educational Enrichment for Romanian Children seeks a host family for a Romanian middle-school student coming to Newton Environmental Science Camp for 5-6 weeks in June and July. EERC can place either a boy or a girl depending on the host family’s preferences. EERC is a local volunteer organization in Sudbury, MA, now its 4th year, bringing Romanian middle schoolers to live with local families while attending day camps (SudburyParkand Rec,PerformanceCenter, YMCA Hopkinton, DerbyAcademy, Middlesex School, Environmental Science Camp in Newton, Charler River School in Dover). The students are in superb academic standing, English speaking, and of modest means. Our funds are small, all individual donation so even though all applicants are deserving we cannot help them all. We pay FULLY their trip here, minus the donated camp scholarships. We have amazing feedback from hosts, camp directors, etc. You can read more on our website www.eercboston.org We like to say our program bring the world closer to home. For further information, contact Daniella Floru at dfloru@eercboston.org or (781) 820-2324.

Donate Used Bicycles

Do you have an unused bike in your garage? Turn it into a tax deduction while also supporting Bikes Not Bombs. Bring your bikes to the First Unitarian Church in West Newton, 1326 Washington St., on April 15th between 10am and 2pm along with a $10 donation per bike. Bikes of all styles and sizes are accepted…even old bike parts! Bikes are sent to developing countries and are used here in New England to teach mechanical skills to worthy kids who get to keep the fruits of their labors. For more information go to http://bikesnotbombs.org/bike-drive/167 or email joyce.pollock@gmail.com.

Impact of concussions

Are you a parent, or coach and want to understand the impact of concussions
on young student athletes?

Join Lauren Smith, MD, MPH, medical director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for Concussions Facts and Myths – What Parents Need to Know on Thursday, March 22nd from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Williams Elementary School, 141 Grove St. 02466. Dr. Smith will present up to date information about concussions among young athletes and discuss what parents and athletes can do to improve recovery and reduce the likelihood of long term problems. She will also review the rules on sports-related head injuries in public schools in Massachusetts. Targeted for all parents and coaches. No registration required. Co-sponsored by the Newton PTO Council, Williams PTO and The Newton Partnership. Warning: Do not park in the Lasell College parking lot. They ticket and tow.

Jenny Gamson
Assistant Director
The Newton Partnership
Work: 617.559.9064
Cell: 617.851.2331
jenny_gamson@newton.k12.ma.us
www.newton.k12.ma.us/newtonpartnership
www.thenewtonpartnership.org

The Newton Partnership
– investing in children, youth, and families