Category Archives: Community Notes

Cabin Fever

Worried about Cabin Fever this school break? Get the kids to a free event at the Microsoft Store. Check out the fun-filled week below.

Minecraft Build Challenge
February 21st, 3:00-4:00 pm
Looking for a fun way to experience Minecraft? Visit your local Microsoft Store for a Minecraft Build Challenge workshops! Players will work in teams to create something epic before the clock runs out. Register today and put your skills to the test! Only 5 spots left.

Create Digital Art with FreshPaint
February 21st, 5:00-7:00 pm
In this free, hands-on, 2 hour camp, students 8–12 will learn to create and share their own digital art with the Fresh Paint app for Windows 10. They’ll explore the basics of Fresh Paint, using lifelike oil and watercolors, pastels, and more to craft their own creations. They’ll also get a sneak peek of advanced digital art skills like mixing paint and layering media. Activities will focus on learning through experience and peer-to-peer learning, and themes may be based on upcoming seasons and special events.

At the end of the camp, participants will:
· Be familiar with the creative possibilities of digital drawing and painting
· Have experience with the Fresh Paint layout and tools
· Create original artwork and share it with peers

Minecraft Hour of Code – Designer
February 23rd, 3:00-4:00 pm
Go behind the scenes to learn how to code, program, and play in your own gaming world. You’ll use kid-friendly programming to learn how creativity and problem solving come together to make something all your own.

During Minecraft Hour of Code: Designer you’ll program animals and other Minecraft creatures in your own version of Minecraft. The parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult caregiver of every camp participant must remain in the Microsoft store for the duration of the event. Register Today! Only 4 spots left

Forza Friday
February 24th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Come test drive the new Forza Horizon 3 in the gaming lounge. Challenge a Microsoft Employee to a best lap time competition and win free swag. Register today! Space is unlimited

Minecraft Build Challenge
Saturday, February 25th, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Looking for a fun way to experience Minecraft? Visit your local Microsoft Store for a Minecraft Build Challenge workshops! Players will work in teams to create something epic before the clock runs out. Register today and put your skills to the test!
Register today! Only 6 spots left.

Hoops & Homework Party
February 25th, 1:00-4:00 pm
Join a free party to support Hoops & Homework at the Microsoft Store. Explore one of the many fun stations—get creative with Fresh Paint, play games with Xbox, and even try out virtual reality—all in the name of a good cause.

Hoops and Homework was chosen as one of the six local organizations to participate in the Team Framingham fundraising for the 2017 Boston Marathon. Runners will be expected to raise a minimum of $1,500 for one of six organizations, with a fundraising target of $3,000. Help spread the word and show the runners your support! Register today! Space is unlimited.

Minecraft Hour of Code- Adventurer
February 26th, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Go behind the scenes to learn how to code, program, and play in your own gaming world. You’ll use kid-friendly programming to learn how creativity and problem solving come together to make something all your own. During Minecraft Hour of Code: Adventurer you’ll use code to take Alex or Steve on an adventure.

The parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult caregiver of every camp participant must remain in the Microsoft store for the duration of the event.
Register today! Only 6 spots left.

Newton Kindergarten Soccer — registration now open

Registration is now open for Newton Kindergarten Soccer. The spring program has two divisions: the Kindergarten Division is for those children currently in kindergarten. The Pre-K Division is for children who will enter kindergarten in the Fall of 2017. This year games are at Oak Hill Middle School beginning April 1st. To be eligible, children must live or attend school in Newton, including private schools. Register by March 17th.

To find out more or to register, please visit the website: http://kindergartensoccer.org/.

Newton Kindergarten Soccer, run by the Zervas PTO, is an introduction to soccer with a focus on making friends, learning teamwork, and developing confidence. Each spring, over 250 incoming kindergarteners and 200 current kindergarteners throughout Newton play in the league. Players are grouped with other children who either live in the same neighborhood or will attend the same school for kindergarten, so that incoming kindergartners can meet future classmates.

Note that Lincoln-Eliot and Burr families generally participate in Garden City Soccer, and that Memorial Spaulding usually has its own program.

Spring Activities in Newton – Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk

It’s time to start dusting off those running (or walking) shoes! The 25th annual Heartbreak Hill Road Race and Family Walk is a perfect way to shake off some of that cabin fever! Just one mile, up and down famed Heartbreak Hill!

Every runner receives an official digital-clock time, a race medallion, goody bag and a free ticket to the pre-race pasta party at Newton City Hall on Friday, April 14th. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place runners in each category win a trophy! The first 500 registrations receive a free t-shirt.

There are fun free activities for kids organized by the Lasell College Special Events students. Not a runner? Everyone can walk the course at 11:30. Register at www.newtoncommunitypride.org $10 child/$12 adult.

April 15th, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Newton City Hall

Spring Activities in Newton – Spelling Bee

The buzz is…the Newton Spelling Bee is back! The fun and educational Spelling Bee for Newton elementary school children is back for its 10th year! Just in case you haven’t already signed up, there are five dates for the Bees, with multiple grade sessions on each day, March 6th, 7th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.

Each grade session is a separate Bee with a first and second place prize donated by Learning Express. Every speller receives a goody bag to celebrate their hard work. The sessions fill up quickly, so please register on line at www.newtoncommunitypride.org. Cost is $10.00.

NewtonPAC meeting February 16th

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education will be hosting Leslie Leslie, MassPAC Project Manager to discuss Best Practices – Running a Parent Advisory Council . Her discussion will include covering legal requirements and ways to improve the PAC, creating by-laws, elections, events, outreach and more.

This is a great meeting for anyone who is interested in being more involved in the PAC and helping to reach more families and serve them better. It is especially recommended for anyone who is considering running for the PAC Board at the next election in May 2017.

Please RSVP to rsvp.newtonpac@gmail.com

February 16th, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 pm)
100 Walnut Street, Room 210

ActiveMinds Tutoring for academic success

ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: your source for in-home tutoring. Effective, personalized and convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation. Sign your child up today for academic success!

Call 617- 227-2225 or email info@activemindstutoring.com. Please visit the website at www.activemindstutoring.com.

Vacation Week Math Camp

February Vacation week Math Camp at Mathnasium. Choose any 2, 3, 4 or 5 day option February 20th – 24th. Programs are individualized to student needs: Addition Mastery, Multiplication Hero, Fabulous Fractions, Decimals, Percents, MCAS practice. Maximum 4 students per instructor. Cost: $49.00 – $65.00/day. 100% money-back guarantee. If it’s not fun, it’s not Mathnasium. Details at: www.mathsense.com/boost

The Tanglewood Marionettes present “Cinderella”

A February school vacation treat… Set in the eighteenth century and featuring a dozen lavishly costumed 30” marionettes, this production of Cinderella is a Tanglewood Marionettes showpiece.

The story unfolds as the pages of a giant book open to reveal each beautifully painted setting – the village square, the rustic kitchen, the magnificent ballroom, plus many more. All your favorite characters are here, from gentle Cinderella to the bumptious stepsisters and the charming Prince, and a few new surprises: Cinderella’s method of conveyance to the ball is NOT the traditional horse-drawn coach, and, when all hope seems lost, a clever little bluebird saves the day for Cinderella.

A classic fairy tale told with wit and style, Tanglewood Marionettes’ production of Cinderella is sure to please audiences of all ages.

To learn more, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org. Tickets $8.00 in advance/$10.00 at the door. Purchase tickets on-line and pay with your credit card or PayPal.

Newton Cultural Center
City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton
February 25th, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm

Catchball: The fastest growing team game for women!

Catchball is like volleyball only you catch the ball. Geared toward women of all ages and abilities! Come check it out and join the team at the JCC on Tuesdays at 7:30-9:30 pm, February- June.

For more information and to register contact bostonetcatchball@gmail.com and visit the website https://bostonet.wordpress.com/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bostonetcatchball/

Little Adventurers Program

Three to five year old adventurers can now spend Saturday mornings having fun outdoors at Nahanton Park. They will explore the river, hunt for bugs, make mud pies, discover local habitats and wonder about nature. These adventurers should find a joyful, nature rich morning – one full of play, exploration and wonder.

For more information and registration, please visit: http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/parks/programs/children/nahanton_park_nature_center_activities.asp