International Walk to School week is coming up the first week of October and International Walk to School Day (iWalk) will be celebrated on October 4th at most schools.
Ask at your school about plans to encourage safe walking and biking to school all year.
This year, the Newton Public Schools will provide interested elementary school families with opportunities, information and resources on talking to children about issues of race, culture, and identity. This work will be personalized to individual school communities, based upon needs and interest.
To lead this work, the district is working with Amy Behrens, a parent coach, diversity educator, and NPS parent. She will support parent volunteers from all schools to help them:
If you would like to learn more, please email Amy at amy@amybehrens.com. The first meeting for interested volunteers will be held on October 10th at Angier Elementary, 1697 Beacon Street from 7:30 – 9:00 pm.
You may RSVP to the meeting via this link: https://goo.gl/forms/UuRYZbuSgrAamM322.
Newton’s One-to-One Program, our very own “Big Brother/Sister Program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 30 years.
If you think your elementary aged child would benefit from a mentor in their life and you can you commit 2.5 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May, please click here: One-to-One or to get more information, please contact Rebecca Young, Program Coordinator, at rebecca_young@newton.k12.ma.us or 617-315-8733.
An exciting “Meet the Author” Family Book Event is happening soon. Parents, children, and teachers: join Understanding Our Differences to welcome author Melissa Shang – disability activist and Newton South High School student! Born with a form of muscular dystrophy, Melissa got her start in activism when she launched a petition for a disabled American Girl doll. The petition went viral nationwide and raised massive attention to disability representation in children’s toys.
Melissa will discuss and sign her book, Mia Lee Is Wheeling Through Middle School. The book is a New York Times-featured middle grade novel starring a sixth grade stop-motion filmmaker with a wheelchair and a lot of sass, trying to survive her new middle school.
Free for children and Newton Public Schools teachers and staff. Requested donation is $10.00 for adults. Registration (save your space) is required in advance at this link: http://understandingourdifferences.org/book-event/ For more information, please see the flier or email info@UnderstandingOurDifferences.org.
November 2nd, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Book signing follows. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Newton South High School Auditorium, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre
” At the end of August, there were unanticipated issues discovered by the Newton’s construction contractor for the Farlow Park restoration project, AJ Virgilio. It is not uncommon with any large capital project that the vendor runs into obstacles, not discovered when doing both the feasibility study and initial project planning. These unforeseen issues were inaccessible during the discovery and initial project analysis as the original pond basin sat under 18 inches of loam. We are fortunate that much of the original basin is intact, amazing considering this man-made pond was originally constructed in the late 18oo’s. In order to make the basin watertight, seeps holes needed to be expanded and then patched and the expansion joints needed to be cleaned and resurfaced. Also the edging around the basin was in bad shape in certain places and needed significant repair.
Our project manager and the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, were presented with the necessary changes by the contractor, design and structural engineers and landscape architect. With the recommendations in hand to move forward with the project, we negotiated the cost changes and are now moving forward. We are back on track, and the new bridge is being constructed off-site.
Once we have a updated timeline, it will be shared with the community via email (Newton Corner Google Group), Facebook (both Newton Corner and Farlow Park pages, and the Friends of Farlow Park website.
The City of Newton is committed to the Farlow Park restoration project as the Friends of Farlow Park have been since 2004. This is our community and our neighborhood, and we invite all residents of Newton Corner and the city of Newton to join us renewing our commitment by joining the Friends of Farlow Park. http://farlowpark.org.”
CPA project link: http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa/projects/farlow.asp#2013-proposal
Newton Community Ed (NCE) is looking for onsite coordinators to represent NCE at each school and help ensure that the classes run smoothly.
This position involves arriving at school by dismissal time, supporting NCE teachers and students as needed, and staying at school until the last NCE student is dismissed. The onsite coordinators liaise with NCE office staff regarding class logistics and special needs. The hours are typically 3:00 – 4:30 pm on all days but Tuesdays, and 12:30 – 2:00 pm on Tuesdays.
In exchange for your services, you or your child can take a free class at NCE (with some restrictions). If you’d prefer, you can earn $25.00/day. Please contact Brenda at brenda_april@newton.k12.us if you or anyone you know is interested in these positions.
Open to hiring a single person or multiple people per school.
Come enjoy your local community farm at 303 Nahanton Street in Newton during an afternoon of fun family activities There will be live music by the High Strung Strummers, a sing-a-long (11:45 – 12:30) led by Julia of Music Together , pumpkin decorating, face painting, and spider web cutting.
Your family can play corn hole together, or take a great family photo. Come for lunch and enjoy a fresh-made sandwich from around the world, grilled corn, apples, and delicious treats provided by our community bakers. It’s a perfect way to welcome the fall season!
We depend on our community of volunteers to make these public events possible. Please consider volunteering for a shift, and/or baking for the bake sale to make your contribution. Please visit the website for more information or to sign up to volunteer.
September 24th, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
303 Nahanton Street, Newton
NPS is actively interviewing for the following job openings:
-Substitutes(InstructionalSupportSpecialists/ISS)-PT
-Aides(Paraprofessionals)-FT/PT
-LunchAttendants/Monitors-PT
See the flier here and apply online at www.newton.k12.ma.us
Newton Public School students in Grades 6-8*, join the Speech Team to become a better public speaker, gain confidence for class discussions and dramatic presentations, win awards for yourself and your school, make friends with kids from all over the state, and have fun as part of an amazing team.
You’ll compete in tournaments through the Massachusetts Middle School Speech League (formerly the Forensics League) in the event you choose, from among prose or poetry reading, original oratory, impromptu, and more. All students are expected to attend a minimum of six tournaments in order to represent their team and improve their public speaking skills. For more information or to register click here or visit newtoncommunityed.org.
September 27th – May 16th, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
Newton South High School
*Fifth graders are welcome to join this class, but per league rules they can not participate in tournaments except for the Newton tournament that takes place in the spring.
Tickets are on sale now for Newton Food Pantry ‘s second Our Neighbors’ Table (ONT) fundraiser. ONT is a unique event where guests can experience the tastes of some of
Newton’s best restaurants such as Central , Comedor, Farmstead Table, Fiorella’s , and Lumiere and feel good knowing that all proceeds will go to benefit our community.
Please visit the ONT website for details and tickets.
October 19th, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
The Windsor Club
1601 Beacon Street, Newton