Category Archives: Community Notes

SAT Summer tutoring

Affordable and Effective SAT Private Tutoring. Looking to get a head-start on SAT preparation for your child? Winston Tutors is here for you!

Founded by a recent Newton South alumni who has developed a unique approach to tackling the SAT, Winston Tutors promises RESULTS with a competitive price. Students who have initially struggled with the SAT have seen their score increase by 300 points from just a few sessions. With over three years of experience helping high-school students achieve their full potentials, Winston Tutors will guide your child to success through an individualized study plan.

For inquiries, please contact Winston Jiang at 617-309-7910 or wtjiang7788@yahoo.com. References from past and current students are available upon request!

Summer tutoring

ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for in-home SUMMER tutoring to stay sharp and ahead! Effective, personalized and convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation. For Rising Seniors, check out their College Admission Essay Workshops in Newton in June and July.

For details please visit the website at www.activemindstutoring.com.

Summer Academic Coaching Sessions

Parents are aware of the phenomenon called “Summer Brain Drain”. This can be prevented by having a professional academic coach work with your student on writing, math, or a multitude of other areas during July and August. Next Level Up Academic Coaching can provide the push, focus, and perspective needed for your student to begin the next school year with momentum and hit the ground running. They have been working with Newton families since 2009 and their professional academic coaches help students build all of the necessary skills to be successful: organizational and time management skills, effort, fundamentals, and positive study habits. Contact for a quick response. 781-540-1123, info@nextleveluptutoring.com, www.nextleveluptutoring.com.

Summer tutoring

Experienced tutor available this summer. A former public school teacher who is currently working at MassBay Community College, Haralie Alpert tutors K-5th grade reading, writing and math and also works with middle school, high school and college age students (writing, note taking, summarizing stories/text, organizational skills, test preparation, self-advocacy). Please contact Haralie Alpert, M.Ed., MS at haralie@gmail.com or 617-630-0608.

Call Y3K tutor in your home today

Their many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting has developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, be understood, and be remembered. Y3K tutors special ed. such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Executive Function, and gifted, regular ed. and test preparation. In addition to academic subjects, they teach children organizational skills, homework coaching, study skills, and time management.

All subjects and ages are taught. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or visit http://www.Y3KTutorInYourHome.com.

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Newton Families:

Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students is an important system goal. It is essential that we work in partnership with families on important issues that impact our students. I am writing because we have become aware that many of our students are watching and discussing a new Netflix series entitled 13 Reasons Why, the content of which is challenging and difficult.

The series is based on a young adult novel by Jay Asher originally published in 2011. The story focuses on a high school student who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13 tapes detailing why she took her own life. The Netflix series contains graphic scenes of suicide and sexual assault/rape. It also addresses issues of cyber-bullying, alcoholism, and depression.

As a community that has felt the tragic impact of youth suicide, we are particularly concerned about the content of this series. These issues are extraordinarily challenging and may be difficult for some students to process in a healthy and appropriate way. We want to ensure that families are not only aware of the show, but are equipped with resources to help them address these issues with their children.

As a family, we encourage you to:

Check in with your child to find out if they have watched the show or what they might know about it.
If they want to see the show, watch it with them or preview it for them. You are the best person to determine if your child is prepared to handle the content.
If they have already watched it, take the opportunity to open a dialogue about the important yet difficult issues portrayed in the story.

The following resources provide important guidance on the issues addressed in the show, as well as talking points for having a meaningful conversation with your child.

National Association of School Psychologists (Background)
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators

Jed Foundation (Issues raised)
https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-jed-point-view/

Jed Foundation/Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Talking Points)
https://www.save.org/13-reasons-why/

Riverside Trauma Center – PDF (Guiding Questions)

We know these issues are challenging and I hope this information is helpful. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor directly.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Newton Community Farm Needs Event Workers

Newton Community Farm is looking for responsible people, 16 and older, to work at private events in our Barn. Responsibilities include helping to set up/break down chairs and tables, directing renters on permissible parking, and ensuring that renters are following all Farm Rules.

Events are typically 3 to 5 hours, in the evening or on weekends. The hourly pay is $15.00. If you are interested, come to an orientation at Newton Community Farm, May 5th, at 3pm to come see the farm, and learn more about this position. Please rsvp to Emily at admin@newtoncommunityfarm.org, and bring a resume to the orientation.

The Farm is located at 303 Nahanton Street. If you are driving, please park on either Nahanton or Winchester Streets.

Hilarious production

Disco and Moliere! An hilarious 17th Century French comedy updated to 1970’s New York. Moliere’s ‘The Bourgeois Gentleman’ or ‘The Would-Be Hipster’, is about a commoner who has inherited some money, and wishes to use it to become what he is not – a gentleman, or in this version, one ‘wild and crazy guy’. M. Jourdain is baffled by his tutors, and hilarity ensues as he tries to learn how to be cool. Replete with disco dance and musical interludes, and the requisite star-crossed lovers who must trick M. Jourdain into allowing them to marry.

Watch local favorite, Linda Goetz, play M. Jourdain as a boorish 1970s New Yorker who has suddenly come into money and is trying to impress everyone with his “alternative facts!” A hilarious production by Newton Theatre Company, directed by Melissa Bernstein
Tickets $20.00 adults/$15.00 seniors/$10.00 students at www.newtontheatrecompany.com

May 5th, 8:00 pm; May 6th, 8:00 pm; May 7th, 2:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Navigating the Student-Athlete College Search and Recruiting Process

If you’re a student-athlete approaching the college application process, you may be experiencing some stress. The college selection and recruiting process starts much earlier for you and can be complex and time-consuming. The instructor will explain that there is a college for every student-athlete who wants to earn a college degree while playing his or her favorite sport. Join an overview of the college search and recruiting process and learn to successfully navigate the maze of issues facing the student-athlete.

You’ll learn about the differences between Divisions I, II, and III; the NCAA Clearinghouse and national Letter of Intent; and the benefits of playing a sport in college. Find out what college coaches and admissions directors are looking for and how to get their attention, and leave with action steps for each year of high school. This two-session program is for kids and adults. To register, call 617-559-6999 or visit newtoncommunityed.org.

May 9th and May 11th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North High School, $45 ($75 for two).

5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE

Come to the 5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE, their only event of the year. This event gives you an opportunity to walk the grounds, participate in unique and fun events and meet all the amazing people that receive and provide services at the center. Additionally, guide dogs and family pets and welcome to walk. It’s a great day with music, a cookout and all kinds of games and giveaways. All of the activities offer unique opportunities for both sighted and visually impaired people to participate. For example, instead of baseball, they have beepball, where the ball “beeps” and this enables the kids with visual impairments to know when to swing. The same accessibility occurs with a putt putt golf game.

The day is designed to engage everyone and show kids, their friends, families and the community how active and independent blind and visually impaired people can be. As neighbors within the community, this event will bring all who attend closer to understanding our differences.

This year, students 16 and under are free which means they can attend the event together, use teamwork to fundraise for their team and even win prizes for participation. This day is the perfect combination of fun, education, inclusion and community.

To donate or register head to carroll.org/walk.

May 21st, 10 am – 2:00 pm
770 Centre Street, Newton