Category Archives: Other

Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10

#thankateacher and support Newton Schools Foundation

If you are looking for another way to say “Thank You!” during Teacher Appreciation Week, please consider Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher campaign. This special program, established more than 20 years ago, provides an opportunity for families to thank teachers or other school personnel by giving a gift to NSF in their honor.

NSF is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance educational excellence throughout Newton’s public schools. Your gift will support professional development that gives teachers new tools and strategies, as well as new and promising curricula for middle school students. Click here to see a video or read more about the grants that NSF has funded in our schools, including programs in art, civics, math, music, science, social and cultural studies, literature and writing instruction, and social-emotional learning.

After receiving your donation, NSF will:
· Notify the honored teachers and staff of your gift at the end of the school year
· Share the honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
· List each of those honored on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB

You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org, or mail it to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459. Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring. If you have children in NECP or elementary school, check your student backpacks for a flyer in the coming weeks, or the U.S. Mail at home if you have middle or high school students.

Community coming together to create something wonderful.

Joe Landry’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play turns one of the most beloved Christmas stories of the twentieth century on its head as a group of radio actors bring George Bailey and his fellow citizens to life. With a cast featuring 36 members of the Newton community, this show is a stunning example of a community coming together to create something wonderful. Don’t miss your chance to see Newton’s teachers, clergymen, parents, and mayor onstage! The play will also serve as a fundraiser for Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), a Newton-based non-profit that helps families generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and helps people work together towards racial equity.

Free Admission, with a Suggested Donation to FORJ
Presented in part by the Harmony Foundation and the Newton Human Rights Coalition. This event is part of the 2019 Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts.

Check it out here: https://www.newtontheatrecompany.com/

May 3rd, 7:00 pm
Brown Middle School Auditorium

Join Families Organizing for Racial Justice for a panel discussion

Join FORJ – Families Organizing for Racial Justice for a panel discussion on “Exploring the Experiences of Asian American students in Newton”

FORJ’s May workshop will focus on learning more about the history and demographics of the Asian American community, and exploring the experiences of Asian American students in Newton. This event will include a panel of students, a Q&A, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Asian American community. This workshop is for parents/adults only.

RSVP here: May panel discussion

May 8th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Angier Elementary School

Join the Newton Kids PMC Bike Ride on May 19th

Get your bike ready to roll for the Newton Kids PMC Bike Ride on May 19th, 8:00 – 11:00 am. 100% of the money raised by riders goes towards cancer research and patient support at the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Center. Two-wheeled riders will zoom around a one-mile loop on Wells Avenue as many times as they can in 1 hour, while the 3-wheeled and balance bike crowd will tear it up on a separate tot course. Be sure to stick around for the POST-RIDE PARTY starting at 10:00 am. There will be food, face painting, bike decorating, raffles, and more.

Click here to register: Newton PMC Kids Ride 
They also need a lot of help from VOLUNTEERS: Here

Camp Kaleidoscope Counselor Openings

Make a difference in a child’s life! Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC’s arts and science day camp in Newton, is looking for wonderful staff who know how to make a camper’s day extraordinary. Must be available June 24th – August 16th, Monday through Friday, 8:40 am – 4:10 pm unless otherwise arranged.

Staff meetings are Monday afternoons and orientation is prior to camp. Buses are available from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Framingham and Wayland. All staff enjoy a free JCC summer fitness membership. Counselors must be at least 16 years old and rising HS seniors or older, with demonstrated leadership skills and experience working with children.

Lower and Middle Camp Counselors support and nurture campers entering grades K-3 in drama, art, science, music, sports and swimming. Upper Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades 4-8, teaching or assisting in classes. Needed: Teachers for sports and games, acrobatics, knitting, and more.

Camp Kaleidoscope is a pluralistic Jewish camp open to the entire community. More info and application at https://www.bostonjcc.org/summer-and-vacation-camps/camp-
kaleidoscope/join-camp-kaleidoscope-team or call 617 558-6523. To apply, send a resume to: Camp Kaleidoscope
333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA 02459
kaleidoscope@jccgb.org

Food Recovery in Schools: Why is it important?

Join Green Newton for the Earth Day presentation ‘Food Recovery: Why is it important?’

Americans waste as much as 40% of the food produced each day – enough to fill the Rose Bowl Stadium. Yet, one in seven Americans are food insecure. Wasted food expends precious resources and contributes to climate change. The Town of Wellesley is developing partnerships and programs to address the food waste problem.

Ellen Korpi, previously the Chair, and then Vice Chair, of the Sustainable Energy Committee in the town of Wellesley, and Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainable Energy Administrator, will present on food waste diversion and food rescue programs involving Wellesley residents and schools, area colleges, the Wellesley Food Pantry, and the Cambridge-based non-profit, Food For Free.

Former Newton City Councilor, Amy Mah Sangiolo, will also present, and describe exploratory efforts to develop a similar program in Newton. The goal is to work with the Newton Public Schools and its food service vendor, and other non-profits, to expand food recovery networks throughout the Greater Boston Area.

April 22nd,  7:00 pm
Druker Auditorium of the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens – talking to your kids about things that freak you out

Talking to Your Kids about Sexting, Drinking, Drugs and Other Things That FREAK YOU OUT.

The Health & Human Services Department is hosting a speaker on parenting teens. This is part of a joint effort with the school department to help parents in the community understand and set boundaries around issues of concern including: vaping, alcohol, substance use, and other risky behaviors. Presented by: Joani Geltman, MSW, Local Expert on Parent-Teen Relationships

Tickets are Free and available HERE. Flyer is available HERE.

May 1st, 7:00 pm
Newton South High School Lecture Hall

Hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Healthy Kids Day – Inspiring kids to live up to their potential by being healthy, active and engaged! Join this free family event featuring healthy games and activities. Join in for a fun afternoon including:

• Bike decorating station and bike parade
• Book swap station – bring a book to donate and swap!
• Demonstration by players from BC Football
• Curious Creatures wild animal exhibit
• Bouncy house
• Obstacle course
• Face painting
• Live music
• Healthy snacks
• Free bike helmets and t-shirts while supplies last!

All event attendees are encouraged to bring their bikes and a book. Bring your bicycle for decorating and to join the bike parade around the track, and bring a book for the Book Swap Station to help counter summer learning loss and awaken imagination!
April 27th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Kids Night Out – Parents, drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with the Y’s staff. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25 per child for Y members and $30 for the community. A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Contact Jillian Finnigan at jillianf@wsymca.org for more information.
May 3rd, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Poetry Night – Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event features readings by two local poets, then guests are invited to participate in the open mic portion of evening to share their own written work. This event is free and open to the public.
May 3rd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Family Fun Night – Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.
May 14th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Summer Camp Open Houses – Learn about the Y’s summer camps, meet the staff, take a tour, and discover which camp is right for your child.

YMCA Camp Pikati is day camp at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton for ages 3-15
Open House May 11th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm or June 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Chickami is day camp in Wayland, MA for grades 1-10
Open House May 11th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or June 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Frank A. Day is overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-16
Open House May 19th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm or June 2nd from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner – The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner celebrates the people who help fulfill their promise to strengthen the community – our members, staff, and volunteers! Join as they introduce new board members, take a look back at highlights from 2018, recognize generous donors and the people who make a difference at the Y. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event: www.wsymca.org/rsvp
May 16th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Safety Around Water Open House – We’re creating a new wave of impact! Join the Y for a free water safety open house, which includes a swim lesson and parent resources. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Water safety and learning to swim are vital life skills that should be taught just as readily as looking both ways before crossing the street. With summer right around the corner, this is a great time for parents to remember the importance of equipping children (and themselves!) with essential water safety skills. Please RSVP to this event here: www.wsymca.org/water-safety
May 19th, 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Intro to Women’s Self Defense Class – The West Suburban YMCA is proud to collaborate with the Newton Police Department to host the Intro to Women’s Self Defense class. In this three-hour class, participants will learn risk reduction strategies, physical techniques and basic combative moves. During the final part of the class, the Newton Police Instructors will put on protective suits and allow participants to practice what they just learned on a moving person. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space in the class is limited.
May 29th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.