Meeting the Need…Making a Difference!

FREE Parenting Group Series: Navigating the Rocky Road of Adolescence
Join other parents of teens and a professional facilitator to explore the many changes that occur during adolescence, and how they affect relationships at home and school. Discuss relevant topics such as promoting healthy choices, setting realistic limits and appropriate consequences; understanding when and how to negotiate; dealing with changes and crises (e.g., divorce); identifying risk factors for anxiety and depression; handling experimentation with sex, alcohol, drugs, and learning to “let go” while maintaining family connections.

Led by Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and over 20 years of professional experience working with families and educators. She specializes in leading workshops and support groups in both community and corporate settings. She is the mother of three children.

Meeting for four sessions from 7:00 – 8:30 PM Wednesdays ( February 8, 15, 29, and March 7) Location: The Freedman Center, 225 Nevada St., 02460 (Newton Cultural Center in Newtonville) Pre-registration required: freedman.mspp.edu or 617-244-INFO x 250

Basic Rights in Special Education Law
presented by Tim Sindelar, Esq.
Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 PM

Learn your rights and responsibilities under special education law so that you can more effectively advocate for your child. Learn the basics of Federal special education law Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts special education law (Chapter 71B) and 504 plans under civil rights laws. Learn about eligibility, evaluations, free and appropriate education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment (LRE). Everyone can benefit from learning or reviewing your basic rights!

The presentation will be held in Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 PM. The presentation will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 PM.

A summary of Education Rights can be found at newtonpac.org/resources/educational-rights.

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education in Newton. Visit www.newtonpac.org for more information about NewtonPAC for Special Education.

The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program in Newton is looking for committed and dedicated child advocates to present its personal safety curriculum in local elementary schools.

Join up with current and experienced volunteer Prevention Specialists to teach children to recognize and respond to verbal, physical and sexual assault and abuse. Potential volunteers are community members who believe that children have the right to information, skills and the support of adults. We offer a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a yearlong commitment of three or four mornings a month.

To make it easier for people with busy schedules to train we have decided to divide the training into two parts. Part 1 is scheduled for T. Jan. 3,
(8:45 a.m. to noon), Th. Jan. 5, (8:45 a.m. to noon) and Sun. Jan. 8th (8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Part 1 of the training will prepare trainees to present one of the three facilitations and participate in all of the role plays. Part 2, on Review Time will be scheduled for late January, based on the trainees’ availability.

For information or to set up an interview call Gail Sommer, 617-969-5906, x143 or email, gsommer@ncscweb.org. Newton CAP is a program of Newton Community Service Center. Visit our webpage at www.ncscweb.org for a description of the program and of the volunteer Prevention Specialist position.

Feeling stressed, alone, or overwhelmed? Come join a parent support group! Sponsored by Parents Helping Parents, a program promoted by The Newton Partnership. Meet Wednesdays, 6:30-8PM at the Brigham House, 20 Hartford St., Newton Highlands. Childcare available. For more information, call Meg at 617-926-5008 x102 or visit www.parentshelpingparents.org.

Cradles to Crayons “Gear Up for Winter” campaign comes to Newton City Hall on Saturday, November 19. Drop off your new or gently used winter clothing from 8:00am to 12:30pm. Free up some closet space and help keep a child warm this winter! We need: winter coats/jackets, boots, hat, gloves and mittens for all ages, infants – teens. Cradles to Crayons strives to provide children up to age 12 living in homeless and low-income situations with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.

This holiday season, support the Newton Schools by giving to the Newton Schools Foundation (NSF). The NSF is the private fundraising organization that has provided more than 500 grants totaling over $2.5 million to Newton Public School teachers and administrators, and most recently supported the installation of 21st century classroom technology in 42 fifth grade classrooms throughout the city.

Our Foundation is growing. We’re reaching out to the community—businesses, institutions and individual—to provide our public schools with the teaching and learning tools that will enable Newton’s students to succeed in a challenging and complex world.

Please help us help us achieve this goal. Complete and submit the form that came home in your child’s backpack or donate online at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org

The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program in Newton is looking for committed and dedicated child advocates to present its personal safety curriculum in local elementary schools.

Join up with current and experienced volunteer Prevention Specialists to teach children to recognize and respond to verbal, physical and sexual assault and abuse. Potential volunteers are community members who believe that children have the right to information, skills and the support of adults. We offer a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a yearlong commitment of three or four mornings a month.

To make it easier for people with busy schedules to train we have decided to divide the training into two parts. Part 1 is scheduled for T. Jan. 3,
(8:45 a.m. to noon), Th. Jan. 5, (8:45 a.m. to noon) and Sun. Jan. 8th (8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Part 1 of the training will prepare trainees to present one of the three facilitations and participate in all of the role plays. Part 2, on Review Time will be scheduled for late January, based on the trainees’ availability.

For information or to set up an interview call Gail Sommer, 617-969-5906, x143 or email, gsommer@ncscweb.org. Newton CAP is a program of Newton Community Service Center. Visit our webpage at www.ncscweb.org for a description of the program and of the volunteer Prevention Specialist position.

A Nov. 29 forum “The Future of Transportation in Newton” organized by the LWV-Newton will explore how the City can grow and develop without more gridlock and parking woes. Presenters Stephanie Pollack, chair of the mayor’s Transportation Advisory Committee, Eric Bourassa, transportation manager for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Jacqueline Douglas, director of Livable Streets, will examine the findings of studies on Routes 128 and 9, the year-long study by the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), as well as transportation models that seek to balance the needs of all modes of transportation, including, pedestrians, bikes, cars and mass transit. At the Newton Free Library, 7 – 9 pm.”