Category Archives: Community Notes

Pick Newton Schools Foundation for Globe GRANT Program

It’s free and easy! If you’re a Boston Globe digital or print subscriber, please designate Newton Schools Foundation as your non-profit of choice to receive free advertising through the Globe’s GRANT program. All Globe subscribers receive a voucher worth up to $100 dollars that you can designate to a non-profit of your choice. The organizations that receive the most GRANT “dollars” get a free ad in the Globe.

The NSF would use this ad space to promote our mission of supporting the Newton Public Schools. Go to http://manage.bostonglobe.com/grant/Default.aspx and follow the simple instructions before the April 30th deadline. Thank you!

Youth Songwriting Workshop for Social Change

Musical experience is not required for songwriting workshop for ages 8-19.

During the workshop students learn songwriting techniques from professional songwriters and how to write, perform and record an original song for a CD. Participants will also learn about Tunefoolery, the organization being honored at the Plugged In spring session benefit concert. Tunefoolery is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.

On the first day of the workshop, a representative from Tunefoolery will talk with the students about their work. They hope that by acquiring a deeper understanding of the cause, the experience of performing in the concert becomes more meaningful for the students. Later in the day, students break into groups, led by professional songwriters, and write songs based on their reactions to what they have learned (and/or on any subject of their choice).

On the second day, they will record the students performing their original songs and create a CD of these performances. The CD will then be sold at the show to raise additional funds for Tunefoolery. Students also perform their original songs at the concert.

The first day of the workshop will be April 23rd from 1:00 – 6:00 pm. On the second day, April 24, each group will come in for 2 hours between 11:00 am – 8:00 pm to do their recording. The fee for the workshop is $175.00. The workshop will take place at Plugged In at 40 Freeman Place in Needham.

For more information and/or to register online, please visit www.pluggedinband.org.

Seek House to Rent

Family seeks 3+ bedrooms and 1.5+ bathrooms in a well-maintained house or townhouse on a quiet non- commercial street, with a yard, storage, 3 parking spots or driveway and garage. Prefer Waban, West Newton, Newton Centre and Highlands, and Auburndale but will consider other areas. Top price is $4,000/ month. Please email or call Lynn Thomas: lynnthomas@21stcenturymgmt.com or 617-795-2757.

Newton South Preschool Program

has openings for 3-5 year olds.

Newton South Preschool Program, a high-quality Early Education program located at Newton South High School, is currently accepting applications for September 2017 for children aged 2.9-5 years old. There are two classrooms staffed by three fully certified teachers. The preschool is also a child development lab school and serves as an internship site for high school students who are taking early childhood courses. The program is open from 7:00 am-4:00 pm with full day and half day options available. This program is accredited by NAEYC.

Please contact Lauren Atkinson or Loretta Wieczner if you are interested in enrolling your child or would like a tour. Contact info: nsppinfo@gmail.com or call 617 559-6533.

SAT 2 Subject Test Prep

Newton Community Education can help you prepare for the June SAT 2 subject tests in Chemistry or Biology.

The SAT 2 Chemistry review class will run four Tuesdays, May 3rd – 24th,  7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North. It will be taught by NNHS teacher Tatyana Osipenko.

The SAT 2 Biology review class will run four Tuesdays, May 10th – 31st, 7:00 -9:00 pm at Newton South. The class will be taught by NSHS teacher Jordan Kraus.

Sign up today at newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

High School Start Time Working Group update

Some new items have been posted on the High School Start Time Working Group web page. Please visit and review the latest information, including:

1) April 22nd School Committee presentation about the revised timeline
2) Additional data from the student survey
3) Timeline for the rest of the year, including a Community Status Update on May 23rd at 6:00 pm.
4) Some additional links to health and wellness information

Please visit the web page for more information www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime

Newton Serves Day opportunity for community service:

Enlisting the aid of community members and families to help mulch the beds in Waban Square for Newton Serves Day – on May 1st, from 12:00 – 2:30 pm. You’ll meet on Wyman St near the post office, or in front of Starbucks. The city provides the mulch and volunteers help to spread it.

It’s very simple and family-friendly (including young children and people with disabilities). All tools, buckets, etc. provided. Bring water, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Snacks and T shirts provided – and free ice cream at City Hall afterwards!

If you are interested, please sign up at the NewtonServes website and call or email Gail Wintersteiner, the WIS gardener and coordinator of this project, at 617-965-1038, g.winterst@verizon.net for more information.

Be the Parent you want to be

A New Way of Understanding and Parenting Kids. Do you ever feel frustrated with your child/teenager? Find yourself shouting often and imposing punishments or rewards in reaction to challenging behavior? Do you wish you had a more effective parenting approach that also helps to build a better relationship between you and your child/teen?

Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach, based in MGH’s Department of Psychiatry, provides parents with concrete tools to better understand and parent their kids (ages 3-18) in the face of day-to-day challenges – e.g., getting to school, homework, screen time, bedtime – and more serious challenges. It’s based on the understanding that many kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well – specifically skills related to problem-solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance.

The Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving Approach helps parents to:

  • Shift their thinking and approach to foster positive relationships with their child/teenager
  • Reduce their child/teen’s challenging behavior
  • Solve problems collaboratively and proactively
  • Build their child/teen’s skills in self-regulation, communication and problem-solving

For more information and to register for the April/May 4-week CPS group in Newton or the 1-day CPS training on May 21st in Brookline, please visit: http://www.betheparentyouwanttobe.weebly.com.

Flute Artistry at Amadeus Music School

•Specialized flute lessons in preparation for District Competition, All-State, NEC
Preparatory Ensemble auditions
•Expert music instruction and development of practice techniques for steady progress;
beginners through advanced levels welcome
•Convenient lessons at your home, or at studio near Lexington Center
•Flute lessons structured to build a strong musical foundation and centered around a
student’s specific needs and goals

Call 781­-354­-5693 for your complimentary trial lesson today! Visit
www.amadeusmusicschool.net for more information.