Category Archives: Other

Important information for voters

Here is some important information for voters from the League of Women Voters of Newton:

• The State Primary Election is on Tuesday, September 4th, which is the day after Labor Day

• If you need an absentee ballot (because there is no early voting in this September election), the deadline to file an application is on Friday, August 31st. This is the Friday before Labor Day.

• The League of Women Voters has worked with partner organizations to create several Candidates’ Forums for voters to learn more about the candidates and their positions:
o 4th Congressional District: Kennedy and Rucinski
o District 3 Governor’s Council (Carter-Devaney) and Middlesex County DA (Patalano-Ryan)

• Click here for the Online Voters’ Guide from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts to read the responses from candidates for statewide office or go to www.informedvoterma.org

For other questions you might have, go to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ or to the Elections Office for the City of Newton at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/elections/default.asp.​

Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)

Dear Newton Public School Families,

As part of our district’s commitment to creating welcoming, supportive, and safe communities for all, we have worked together over the past year with Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), a parent-led group in Newton. It is our hope to provide interested families with opportunities, information, and resources to become better equipped to address issues of race, culture, and identity with their children. Last year, the work was focused in our elementary schools and this year will expand to our middle and high schools.

To facilitate this effort, we are working with Amy Behrens, a FORJ Leader, diversity educator, and parent coach and Gloria Pascual, a seasoned community leader in Boston and Framingham, who will be the FORJ Co-Coordinators for 2018-2019. They, and a diverse set of parent leaders, will continue supporting parent volunteers from all Newton schools to help them:

  • Identify needs and action plans specific to their schools
  • Create opportunities, through events and activities, for face-to-face conversations and dialogue
  • Provide families with valuable information, tools, and resources

Amy and Gloria will work in concert with PTOs and existing school groups to develop personalized programs for each school community. The work will rely on volunteers interested in engaging their schools on issues of race, culture, and identity. Please sign up here https://goo.gl/forms/ZBa8uQTcKkUeLXHC2 OR email Amy at amy@amybehrens.com to be placed on the mailing list for information about upcoming meetings.

The first FORJ meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, October 2nd 7:30-9pm at the Angier Elementary School, 1697 Beacon St, Waban, MA 02468, accessible by the Waban T stop on the Green D Line.

We are eager to continue expanding this partnership with families this school year. I hope that you will consider getting involved.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent

Morning Childcare Needed – Perfect for Newton SPED Aides or Interns!

Newton parent looking for morning help getting 2 tweens up and onto their door-to-door transportation. Her daughter is 12 & has social-emotional special needs. Often she can get ready in the morning with no issues, but she’ll be going to an earlier school and she’s a moody tween. She will likely be out the door by 7:30 am.

Her son is 11 and also has social-emotional special needs. He can struggle getting through morning routines. His van likely won’t arrive until 8 am, so they’ll need someone who can stay with him after she leaves around 7:45.

Required:
*professional childcare experience
*sense of humor
*transportation
*LGBT friendly

Preferred:
*experience w/ social-emotional special needs
*background in trauma (PTSD, Developmental Trauma Disorder)
*experience with conduct disorders and/or mood disorders
*background in social work and/or special ed
*experience in residential care/residential settings
*experience with foster care/adoption

Email Lradack@gmail.com

Historic Newton Events

FREE WEEKEND AT HISTORIC NEWTON
September 1st and 2nd, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Everyone is invited to enjoy free admission to the museums.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue. Admission: Free. Information: 617-796-1450

STORYTIME – STORMY WEATHER
September 5th, 10:00 am

Learn more about Native People in Newton and get the chance to handle some historical artifacts. They’ll read Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie, and preschoolers and their caregivers will make their own storm cloud windsocks. For a complete schedule of ongoing Storytime events, go to www.newtonma.gov/story.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street. Admission: Free. Information:  617-796-1450

STORYTIME – WELCOME AUTUMN
September 22nd, 9:30 am

Explore the Durant-Kenrick House and Ground and welcome the fall foliage to Newton! They will read Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert. Preschoolers and their caregivers have the chance to go outside and create their own nature collages. For a complete schedule of ongoing Storytime events, go to www.newtonma.gov/story.

Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue. Admission: Free. Information: 617-796-1450

HOMESTEAD HAYFEST
September 30th, Noon – 4:00 pm

Drop in for a day of old-fashioned fun at the annual hands-on family festival. Try 19th century activities, including butter making, cider pressing, and candle dipping. Jump into a burlap sack for a race or play the hoop-tossing game of graces. Enjoy ice cream from Cabot’s and a bake sale.

Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street. Admission: Free. Information:  617-796-1450

Summer Food for Families

When school’s out for the summer, so is breakfast and lunch for many Newton students. This year the city is partnering with the FUEL program at the Church of the Redeemer to help families in need of additional food.

The already successful FUEL program fills backpacks with nonperishable items for students to take home from school. The expanded summer version of the program will offer backpacks in more locations throughout the city, all available for children and their caregivers to pick up as much as twice per week. Locations include Newton Health and Human Services Department, Church of the Redeemer, West Suburban YMCA, Newton Fire Stations 7 & 10, Crystal Lake, Gath Pool, Newton Free Library, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Good Shepherd, St John’s Church, Arabic Baptist Church, the Boys & Girls Club, NCDF Houghton Village and more.

For a full list of locations and pick up times, visit www.newtonma.gov/food.

Don’t miss your chance

As the school year comes to a close, don’t miss your chance to thank teachers and staff who made a difference to your child this year! Making a donation to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program is a great way to do this.

Look for a flyer in your child’s backpack or if you have children in the upper grades, you will have already received a letter by mail. To donate online and to find out more about the programs NSF funds, go to www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org. Donations are tax-deductible and go toward enhancing educational excellence, including teachers’ professional development, initiatives to close the achievement gap, and new curricula and learning opportunities throughout Newton’s schools.

Teachers, as well as their principal and the Superintendent, will be notified of this honor, and if you donate by July 31st their names will appear in a special notification in the Newton TAB.

Affordable College options

A local parent group is looking into options for studying abroad as a way to reduce the cost of college as well as provide kids with an expanded worldview.

They’re in the process of inviting international colleges and universities to provide the membership with information on degree programs and costs and if possible, present in person. In addition, they are looking for venues and parents to join the group. Contact the group here https://www.meetup.com/College-Abroad/

Be part of the SOLUTION for opioid epidemic – Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Misuse of prescription drugs is a common way for teens and adults to start down the road of addiction. The most typical place young people get access to prescription drugs is their home medicine cabinet. A few simple steps can have a significant impact on limiting unsafe access to these powerful drugs:

  1. Immediately and safely dispose of any unused medication (for more information on disposing of medication, see www.newtonma.gov/newtonpath)
  2. Secure all prescription drugs that are currently being used in a lock box or other inaccessible location.
  3. Track all prescriptions, including counting pills to ensure they are not being taken inappropriately.
  4. Talk to your kids about never taking any drugs that are not prescribed specifically for them by their health care provider.
  5. Talk to your health care provider about limiting prescriptions of opioids and seeking alternative strategies for pain management when possible.