Category Archives: Other

FREE Diversity Children’s Books for Parents, Teachers, Librarians (anyone!)

Mia Wenjen, a parent at FA Day and NNHS who co-founded Multicultural Children’s Book Day (coming up January 27th) to celebrate diversity in KidLit, is offering FREE diversity children’s books.

1) Simply post a short review on Facebook or Instagram or YouTube or a blog and receive one FREE diversity children’s book for ages 1 through 14. You will receive a book based on the age range you request. Sign up here:
https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/10/sign-up-for-free-diversity-childrens-book/

2) Host a book event in your home, library or classroom and receive 3 FREE diversity books and a swag pack:
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/category/offline-classroomlibrary-event-project/

Letter from the Hydro-Dragons

We are a group of 6th graders at Brown Middle School that are part of The First Lego League (FLL). FLL is an organization that allows kids ages of 9 to 16 to have the opportunity to help work as a team, and start to research real-world problems. The theme this year is Hydro Dynamics (water) and we are FLL Team #34813 Hydro-Dragons.

We have to find a problem related to water. Originally, we thought about the Flint water crisis, but since Flint is too far away to do much, we decided to focus on lead in Newton water. With this idea, we have developed a goal to raise awareness on lead and its dangers. We have learned that some Newton schools and public buildings have had high-levels of lead in drinking water.

To help raise awareness on lead in drinking water, we made a website, for more information please visit it at https://leadwaterawareness.wixsite.com/lead.
To learn more about FLL, visit their website: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll
For information on 2017-2018 season challenge, please watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMuE4PKosys&feature=youtu.be

Free rain gauge

On behalf of the Newton FFL Lego Robotics Team, the Robotics Team of 4-8th graders in Newton,  thank you so much for taking the time to complete the lawn water survey!

They received almost 100 responses and are now in the process of making rain gauges to help Newton residents determine how much they should water their lawn every week. If you are interested in a FREE rain gauge please email at newtonbotanists@gmail.com.

Free rain gauge

On behalf of the Newton FFL Lego Robotics Team, the Robotics Team of 4-8th graders in Newton,  thank you so much for taking the time to complete the lawn water survey!

They received almost 100 responses and are now in the process of making rain gauges to help Newton residents determine how much they should water their lawn every week. If you are interested in a FREE rain gauge please email at newtonbotanists@gmail.com.

Newton Holiday Craft Show

It happens every holiday season…“What can I get for Aunt Sarah? My next-door neighbor’s baby? My boss?”

With over 60 talented artisans displaying their one-of-a-kind treasures, you are sure to find something for the most discerning person on your shopping list at the Newton City Hall Holiday Craft Show. Admission is Free!

As you wander the many hallways and rooms of Newton City Hall, you will discover stall upon stall of beautiful hand-crafted jewelry, hats and scarves, pottery, cards, glass works, tablecloths, paintings, purses, delicious chocolates and so much more that will help you solve your gift giving challenge this year. Be sure to pick up a map when you arrive as the booths are tucked into every nook and cranny of the building and you don’t want to miss any!

With ample free parking on the streets around City Hall, all entrances will be open. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Newton Food Pantries. For more information, please visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

December 2nd, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Newton City Hall

Women in STEM event

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 5962 is hosting a Women in STEM event for girls in grades 7 – 12  At this event, students get to participate in fun hands-on activities led by female engineers. During lunch, there will be a question and answer panel for students to ask the engineers and UMassLowell Society of Women Engineers (SWE) members any questions they have.

The event is free and lunch is provided. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!
https://sites.google.com/view/mvrobotics/women-in-stem-event?authuser=0

December 9th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in the UMass Lowell Makerspace in Falmouth 102.

December School Vacation Camp

No plans for December school vacation week? JCC Greater Boston’s School Vacation Camp offers busy families flexible scheduling, early drop off/extended day, lunch options, and tons of fun.

Kids choose from activities including sports, swimming, arts and crafts, dance, cooking, board games, rock climbing and more. Special highlights include bingo, bowling, talent show, and a New Year’s Eve party with DJ. Come for one day or as many days as you would like!

Everyone welcome. CIT positions for grades 7-9 available at a reduced rate (please call for
details). Early bird rates available. Register at bostonjcc.org/schoolvacations. For more
information, visit bostonjcc.org/schoolvacations , contact schoolvacations@jccgb.org or call 617-558-6529.

December 26th – 29th, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Children’s Learning and Development Study

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children who are (or are soon turning) 8 – 10 years old to participate in a research study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years with the goal to
improve understanding of learning in children.

The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours) per year for 3 years. During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer.

Payment is $60 per year. There is free all day parking provided at the Navy Yard. Please email cnglead@mghihp.edu or call 617 643-4821 if you are interested or if you have any questions.  Additional information can be found at: https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning.

Quick survey to save the planet

Help a Robotics Team of 4-8th graders (including an Angier student) that is participating in the First Lego League (FLL). They are working to reduce the amount of water people use on their lawns. By answering the following questions on this 3-5 minute survey, you can support this research and their efforts to save the environment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “if the average sized lawn in the United States is watered for 20 minutes every day for 7 days, it’s like running the shower constantly for 4 days or taking more than 800 showers.” Please help them gather this information so they can find out how to help the environment and hopefully you.

Click here to complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X268WQT

Creating Successful Students

Middle school parents and students are invited to “Creating Successful Students” to learn strategies for reducing academic stress, conquering procrastination, and strengthening executive functioning skills at home. Specific strategies include:

  • Managing nightly homework
  • Short-term and long-term assignment planning and time management
  • How to get “unstuck” when having trouble initiating tasks
  • How to organize papers, assignments, belongings, and more.

Workshop will be presented by Dan Levine and Melissa Wilson of Engaging Minds, an after school learning center with locations in Newton and Natick. The strategies presented will not require purchasing services from Engaging Minds. Please RSVP to qetchie@newtonma.gov