Category Archives: Other

Newton Boards and Commissions Openings

Newton residents participate in local government as members of more than fifty boards, commissions, committees and advisory councils serving the City. Such broad citizen involvement helps our government remain open and responsive. Residents play a critical role in the work required to address the wide variety of needs in our city.

Appointments to the City’s boards and commissions are made most frequently by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council, but some are made directly by the City Council or the School Committee. The following boards and commissions are some of the key groups with openings that the City of Newton is looking to fill:

Commission on Disability Community Preservation Committee
Human Rights Commission

If you have an interest in one of these areas and would like to volunteer to serve, please apply on line at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/featured/boards.asp.

The webpage also has a list of all openings, and applications to any of these groups are welcomed as well.

Hannah’s Heroes raises money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Friends, are you clearing out closets with the change of season? Recycle your style for a cause by donating items to Hannah’s Heroes partnership with Plato’s Closet.

Hannah’s Heroes raises money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in honor of Hannah Gonzalez, a Newton South Senior who has been living with Type 1 for almost 6 years. JDRF is the leading non-profit organization working towards finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Plato’s Closet buys and sells current styles for both teens and adults…guys too! They buy all seasons, year-round with a focus on casual trends (from the past 1-2 years) in great condition. In addition to clothing, Plato’s purchases shoes, handbags, jewelry, hats and other accessories.

All proceeds from clothing purchased by Plato’s Closet will be donated to Hannah’s Heroes. Please bring items to Plato’s Closet in Waltham and mention Hannah’s Heroes. If it’s easier, you can drop the items off at the Gonzalez home. Contact Leslie for more information at cubish1@verizon.net.

Girls Build* Robots Event!

Newton girls 13-18 are invited to a LigerBots hands-on workshop. Find out what happens when YOU pick up a screwdriver! Join in the excitement of solving engineering problems along with other girls, in a low-pressure environment! Please wear closed toed shoes.

Registration and more info at https://ligerbots.org/2017/10/05/girls-who-build-event/
Sponsored by the LigerBots (Newton North & South FIRST Robotics Team)

October 17th, 6:30-8:30 pm
Newton South High School Wood Shop, room 9271

* Ligerbots changed the event name as they recently learned about Girls Who Build, which offers creative, hands-on, and applied engineering curricula for girls and educators. While  not affiliated, they encourage you to check out Girls Who Build workshops.

Greetings from the Newton SEPAC

Greetings from the Newton SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)!

Whether you are new to Newton, or have a returning student, we would like to introduce you to the Newton SEPAC!

The Newton SEPAC….

  • Advises the School Committee on the education and safety of students with disabilities
  • Hosts a “Basic Rights” presentation annually, to discuss the rights of students and their parents/guardians under state and federal special education laws (Wednesday, November 8th at the Education Center; presented by Ruth Diaz of the Federation for Children with Special Needs)
  • Serves as a liaison between parents of students receiving special education services and Newton Public School administrators
  • Meets monthly with Karen Shmukler, the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
    Coordinates the Annual SEPAC Awards Ceremony in June, so that parents can recognize exceptional Newton Public School Staff
  • Hosts the Newton SEPAC Yahoo Group; an online discussion group which serves as a forum for parents and guardians to exchange information and share community resources
  • Coordinates monthly presentations. For the 2017-2018 school year, we are working on:
    Transition (from Pre-School to Elementary School, Elementary School to Middle School, and from Middle School to High School),  Anxiety in School Children,  Executive Functioning, Personal Safety

All meetings are posted on https://newtonpac.org, and are open to everyone. If you would like to become a member of the yahoo group, send a request to info@newtonpac.org

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,
The Newton SEPAC Board

Newton Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program Seeking Volunteers

Join the dynamic task force of trained volunteer CAP Prevention Specialists committed to
teaching children in the Newton Elementary Schools the skills that they would need to stand up for themselves if faced with verbal, physical or sexual assault.

Still accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. CORI and SORI screenings required. 19 Continuing Education Credits available for licensed MSW’s.

Multi-session training begins on October 29th, the application deadline is October 20th

For more information please visit http://familyaccess.org/family-support/child-
assault-prevention/ or email Gail Sommer at gsommer@familyaccess.org.

Provide feedback to NPS Food Service program

Sodexo is looking for parent feedback about their food services. This survey is a great way for them to get feedback from us. Please note that there is both a parent survey and a student survey (middle and high school students only.)

The survey is open for the month of October. Survey results and a proposed plan of action to improve service will be shared in late fall/early winter

Parent survey link: Parent survey
Student (middle and high school) survey link: Survey

Newton Harvest Fair

The 42nd annual Harvest Fair is a two day event on the Newton Center Green. Admission is free.

Kiddie amusement rides and face painting are on both Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. On Sunday come to the Craft Show, Green Expo, Free Pumpkin Decorating and fabulous entertainment.

This year, there are two entertainment stages! The dance stage on Langley Road will feature performances by Giroux Brothers, Joanne Langione Dance Studio, Suzuki School of Newton, Creative Steps Dance Studio, DEAFinitely and Dance’n Feet. The band stage is located at the Beacon Street end of the Newton Center parking lot, and showcases seven terrific local bands: Delmore; The Conservatory at Highlands; Big Chief; YMCA Center for Creative Arts; Loose Change; Atoms & Energy and Tommy and the Cables.

The favorites at Harvest Fair on Sunday are still there…free pumpkin decorating sponsored by Wegman’s, kiddie amusement rides, the 150 different craft and business booths selling everything from hand-made beautiful jewelry, clothing to imaginative gifts, and the Green Expo, sponsored by Green Newton, with exhibitors offering solutions for reducing your carbon footprint. As always, gotta have great food and they do!

Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-796-1540 for more information.

October 14th and 15th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Candidate Showcases and a Ballot Issue Debate

Newton’s four Neighborhood Area Councils, Newton Highlands, Newton Upper Falls,
Newtonville and Waban, will present two Candidate Showcases and a Ballot Issue Debate

  • The first event will be a moderated one-hour discussion between Ruthanne Fuller and Scott Lennon, candidates for Newton’s next mayor. This session will be moderated by Marjorie Arons-Barron, Waban resident, and distinguished print and broadcast journalist.
  • The second event will showcase School Committee candidates in contested citywide races. This session, also to be moderated by Marjorie Arons-Barron, is planned to last about an hour, and will showcase the eight candidates running competitively from four city wards. All Newton voters will be able to choose among and vote for these aspirants to the School Committee.
  • The third event, scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm, is a formal debate on the question voters will face on the ballot, whether to accept or reject a proposed revision of the Newton City Charter. The debate will include leaders of the proponents and opponents of the charter.  This session will be moderated by John Katsulas, Director of the Boston College Fulton Debate Society.

October 22nd, beginning at 1:00 pm
Angier School, 1697 Beacon Street, Waban