Category Archives: Community Notes

Aquatic Therapy

Michael Dezmin, Occupational Therapist, just started to offer aquatic based therapy for kids of all ages. The skills worked on can be targeted to assist many areas of difficulty that effect school performance including but not limited to:

  • emotional self-regulation skills
  • hand and core strengthening
  • attention
  • executive functioning
  • transitions and routine
  • visual motor/ visual perceptual skills (for reading and writing)
  • ocular motor skills (for reading and writing)

For more information, please click here flyer or contact Michael at michael.dezmin2@gmail.com or 908-565-3281.

Percussion lessons

Joe Lareau has taught in the Boston area for more than 15 years and offers private percussion tutoring with expertise in West African music and dance, drum set, orchestral, and marching percussion as well as elementary piano. Successful with helping children who struggle with understanding, performing, and reading music, he utilizes audio and video examples he recorded while living in Ghana for 6 years.  Joe teaches using techniques that help the student grasp the larger question of “How to be a musician?”

Tutoring can be one-on-one or group sessions.
For more information, please contact Joe at jrlareau@gmail.com or 508-826-9626.

Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices Expo

  • Discover community resources promoting positive decision making for teen
  • Enjoy refreshments and student performances as you browse the exhibits
  • The first 50 teens who bring a parent will receive a treat bag
  • Drawing grand prize:Bose SoundLink
  • “American Ninja Warrior” live demo!

This expo coincides with Junior Night; parents/guardians of juniors are asked to come early to explore the expo. Walnut and Lowell Street lots and Hull Street will be available for parking. Please observe neighborhood signs and restrictions.

To learn more Check out this flyer: Expo or go to www.NorthPTSO.org

January 18th, 5:00- 7:30 pm
Newton North High School

14th annual Teen Summer Program Expo

FREE and open to the public.

Find the perfect summer experience for middle and high school students. Meet directors of more than 80 enriching summer programs, both day and overnight, with local, national and international options. Programs for every budget and interest including academic enrichment, adventure travel, teen tours, teen camps, community service, leadership and wilderness training, internships, sport instruction, language immersion, arts, theatre, music, college prep, STEM and gap year opportunities. Efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, safety, costs & supervision. Bring friends and travel together!

Save time and pre-register at: www.TeenSummerExpos.com.

Follow @teensummerexposma on Instagram for updates or check out Facebook.

January 29th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm (snow date: January 31st)
Newton South High School cafeteria
140 Brandeis Road

Help around Town

Do you have teenagers at home (or college students) who are willing to shovel neighbors out? Have them check out HelpAroundTown.com.

HelpAroundTown has already facilitated over 5,000 jobs between neighbors and is being used in half the towns in MA. There are elderly neighbors who need help managing the snow.

The website is designed to be easy and safe for teenagers to get their first jobs. Every one has a profile and both people rate/recommend each other after a job, so HelpAroundTown is as a reputation-builder and a career-launcher. Jobs can be searched within a mile of one’s house – perfect for connecting with neighbors who need help after a snowstorm.

14 is the minimum age. Parents need to sign their approval of 14 and 15 year olds. Parents of all minors (under 17) get an email with a link to every job their kid applies to, asking the parents to advise their children.

It’s free to use all these features and to post jobs when one needs help. Non-profits can also advertise their events & fundraisers, free, on the Bulletin Board, and recruit volunteers.

Questions? Call 781-325-8696 or email Reem@HelpAroundTown.com.

Be the parent you want to be

Come to an Introduction to the Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving approach.
Do you ever feel frustrated with your child/teenager? Find yourself shouting and imposing consequences in reaction to challenging behavior? Imagine having a simple framework that guides you in every parenting challenge and brings out the best in both you and your child.

The Collaborative Problem Solving approach will give you concrete tools to relate better to your kids, reduce their challenging behavior, and build their skills in self-regulation, communication and problem-solving. See BeTheParentBoston.com for more information and to register for the CPS workshop starting January 22nd in Newton.

Piano teacher available

A Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music and Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory with 30+ years teaching experience is available for lessons.

Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sight-reading while building a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Contact Gloria Jasinski at 617-566-9704 or piano566@comcast.net.

In-home tutoring

ActiveMinds Tutoring is your source for IN-HOME tutoring. Effective, personalized, and convenient. All Grades/All Subjects, plus Test Prep (ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT) and College Admission Essay guidance.

ActiveMinds helps accelerate your child’s learning and preparation. See www.activemindstutoring.com for more information.

Reserve your tutor today! Call 617-227-2225 or email info@activemindstutoring.com 

1 Bedroom apartment for sublet

Newton South teacher Jon Orren who will be travelling with students on the Jingshan exchange to China is seeking a person or couple to sublet his spacious, furnished one- bedroom apartment in Jamaica Plain.

  • Available for sublet from February 1st to May 31st
  • 850 sq ft. 1-bedroom apartment in sunny, quiet corner of JP. Perfect for single person or a couple
  • Fully furnished (see attached pics), hardwood floors, 3 skylights, small but very well-equipped kitchen, private roof deck with view of Boston skyline
  • Toasty in winter, easy to cool in warm weather (skylight windows open, window AC in bedroom)
  • Large shared backyard with raised bed garden
  • Free laundry in basement
  • Storage space in basement
  • Personal parking spot for 1 car in driveway (no need to fight for street parking in the snow!)
  • 2 blocks to Green St. Orange Line, 1 block to SW Corridor (great biking), 10 min walk to Centre St. stores (Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, great restaurants, etc.), 15 min walk to Jamaica Pond or Arnold Arboretum, 10 min walk to Franklin Park
  • Super friendly neighbors
  • Large HD TV with basic cable, Apple TV and all that jazz
  • Friendly, cuddly cat ** I’d prefer the subletter to care for my cat, Sophie (compensation negotiable), but if you’re allergic or that point is a deal-breaker, I can have a friend take her for the duration **
  • Rent is $1750, utilities included.

Please contact Jon Orren at orrenj@newton.k12.ma.us or jonorren@gmail.com or 917-861-1181.