Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) needs your help to continue to be one of the best public school systems in the Commonwealth and the nation. They are two-thirds of the way to our Annual Appeal goal of $60,000. Please donate today to help them reach their goal.

Your gift will support innovative programs that are difficult to address in the school department’s operating budget. These include:

• Elementary music initiative, modeled after El Sistema, established in Venezuela, to introduce low-income children to instrumental music. This will be piloted at Lincoln-Eliot with potential for expansion to other elementary schools.
• Summer writing institute, a professional development program for elementary school teachers to help students become better writers for the information age.
• Computer coding in the middle schools

…and much more!

NSF-supported initiatives also address social/emotional wellbeing; global education, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), and closing the achievement gap. The programs NSF funds span Newton’s diverse student population and impact all of Newton’s 12,000+ students.

These teaching and learning opportunities would not be possible without supporters like you.

When you give to Newton Schools Foundation you are ensuring that the Newton Public Schools continue to provide Newton students with the best education in this ever-changing teaching and learning environment.

P.S. If you have already donated thank you so much. If you haven’t, please make a tax-deductible contribution to NSF today. They are only $20,000 away from reaching our goal and you can help us get there. Please check with your employer about matching gifts.

To donate, please click here: Donate

Needed:  a loving host family for an NSHS International Student. Host families provide a warm and supportive home and family environment and students become part of your family. A monthly stipend is offered to all host families.

One of our fantastic exchange students from China who attends Newton South needs a new host family from early January through June 2016 because his current family is moving to Boston. Here is a little about the boy from China:

He is a very mature and independent 16 year old who has a warm smile, enjoys laughing and meeting new people, is inquisitive, and spontaneous. At school he has excellent grades and plays on the basketball team. He is polite, engaged, and engaging and has made many American friends here in Newton.

If you can host this boy through June or even for a short term, please email claudetterowe.educatius@gmail.com or call her at 508 246 7028.

Nick Zhang, vice president of the Newton North Science Team shares that they are actively raising money in order to pay for competition fees and for supplies needed for building and studying. Currently, they are raking leaves to fund-raise for the team. If you are interested, please decide on a rate and contact Nick at nickmzhang@gmail.com. Thank you!

Thank you to the Newton Public Schools families who honored 847 NPS teachers and staff members through the Newton Schools Foundation’s 2015 HONOR THY TEACHER initiative this year.

The effort raised $42,000 toward NSF’s efforts to support innovative, creative programs and initiatives in the Newton Public Schools. Visit NSF’s website for a full list of teachers and staff recognized. NSF also published this list in the October 14th issue of the Newton Tab. Many thanks for supporting your children’s K-12 experience in the Newton Public Schools and for recognizing the difference these excellent educators make in their lives.

The League of Women Voters Voters’ Guide, a resource on the candidates who are running for all the municipal offices on November 3rd, is available here.

Read short biographies of all the Aldermen, School Committee and Charter Commission candidates, as well as their answers to questions about issues concerning our community. Print copies will be available at Newton City Hall, the Newton Free Library, the Senior Center in Newtonville, and other locations around Newton. Click here for more information.

Become a Newton School Volunteer and hear these words from a student.

• Tutor a 2nd – 5th grade child in basic mathematics concepts once a week
  for 30-45 minutes.
• Select your preferred school, grade, day, and time.
• Play special math games that reinforce skills and help students gain
  confidence and competence.
• Training, Everyday Math books and learning materials, and ongoing support
  are provided.
• No teaching experience is needed.

For more information, please contact Ellen Bender at 617-559-6131 or at
ellen_bender@newton.k12.ma.us. See the webpages at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Domain/513