Category Archives: Community Notes

West Suburban YMCA Aims to Bring Out the Wow! Factor

Bring Out the Wow! Factor in Local Kids During 25th Annual Healthy Kids Day®

The West Suburban YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long, which is a critical time for kids’ health. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y hopes to focus on wowing them with their potential and make this their best summer ever by staying active and learning.

Healthy Kids Day will be held outside on the Y’s New Balance Track & Field. Bring or ride your bicycle to the event. Thanks to the generous support of the Newton Elks and Farina’s Bicycles, they are giving away bicycle helmets. The day also features fun, active play and educational activities such as:

• Face Painting from 1:00-2:00 pm
• Bicycle Decorating from 1:00-3:00 pm
• Drumlin Farms Presentation – “Where Food Comes From” at 1:15 pm
• Family Zumba & Yoga Class from 1:30-2:00 pm
• Curious Creatures presentation from 2:00-3:00 pm
• Bouncy House, GaGa Ball & Obstacle Courses from 2:00-4:00 pm
• Bicycle Parade at 3:00 pm

April 30th, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, the Newton Elks and Farina’s Bicycle Center in Watertown. For more information, contact Trevor Williams at 617-244-6050 x 3021 or visit wsymca.com.

NSHS student needed to babysit

Local family is seeking a NSHS student for babysitting on some afternoons during the week. Their 6 year old son loves to play Legos and they need someone to come play with him and keep him entertained within walking distance to NSHS (near the end of Dudley Rd). If interested, please call Ms. Lida Famili at 617-467-4687 or email lidafamili@gmail.com.

New Preteen Wellness Group!

Safe and fun environment for students ages 9-12 to discuss any of life’s stresses or issues. It will be a four week after school psychoeducational group that will promote wellness around topics such as body image, peer pressure, self-esteem and bullying.

Contact MEDA at 617-558-1881 or email info@medainc.org to learn more or visit the website: www.medainc.org.

A Welcoming City discussion

Help us ensure that Newton is open to people of all races/ethnicities, religions, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

On Thursday evening, April 7th, Mayor Warren will host the first annual community discussion focused on ensuring that Newton is a welcoming community to people of all backgrounds. The forum will include leaders from our community and beyond. This will be an opportunity for residents of all ages to ask questions, and join us in making Newton the most inclusive community it can be.

The discussion will be held in the War Memorial of Newton City Hall, located at 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30 pm.

Reminder: Forum on High School Start Time

for Middle & Elementary Parents/Guardians.

Join this Wednesday night at Brown Middle School to explore the research on teen sleep to understand why the Newton School Committee is studying a later start time for our high schools. Speakers include sleep expert and Newton parent Dr. Christopher Landrigan of Brigham & Women’s and Boston Children’s Hospitals. Be a part of the community conversation from the beginning stages; if changes happen, our younger students will be affected as they move into their teen years. Hosted by Brown and Oak Hill PTOs and the Newton South School Council. Parents and guardians from all schools welcome.

For more information, including a link to resources on adolescent sleep and later start time click here.

April 6th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Brown Middle School
125 Meadowbrook Road, Newton Centr

Upcoming Teen Programs @ the Library

Minecraft Club: Come play Minecraft with your friends on the library’s server with different challenges each session. Don’t have an account? No problem, use one of the library’s. The club meets the first Thursday of every month. Grades 6-12. Register online. Thursday, April 7th, 4:00 pm, second floor Computer Center.

Get Hooked! Crochet & Knitting Club: The monthly crochet and knitting club is back! They’ll be meeting the first Thursday of every month. They have crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn and the know-how to teach the basics of crocheting. Refreshments will be served. Open to ages 10 and up. Register online. Thursday, April 7th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

Teen Crafterhours: Meet on the third Tuesday of every month to make crafts and eat snacks. This month you’ll be making steampunk magnets. Grades 6-12. Tuesday, April 19th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

Trivia Nite @ the Library: Are you a genius at Jeopardy!? A consumer of crossword puzzles? Back by popular demand, come join the fun and test your mastery of useful (and useless) information! Some of your favorite library staff will challenge players with 4 rounds of questions from a variety of categories. Stretch your brain and win great prizes! Come alone or with friends. Teams can be up to 6 people, and they can match you with fellow devotees. Refreshments will be provided. Teens and families welcome. Register online. Thursday, April 21st, 6:30 pm, Druker Auditorium.

Hadassah Spotlights Religion in Public Schools – April 7th

Hadassah Northeast would like to invite you to an event featuring author Linda K. Wertheimer. This 2016 Author Series presentation features the novel, Faith Ed.: Teaching About Religion In An Age of Intolerance with author and past Boston Globe Education Editor Linda K. Wertheimer. Wertheimer will lead an intimate discussion around the debate over religion in the public schools.

She will discuss her fascinating investigation that reveals a public education system struggling to find the right path forward and offers a promising roadmap for raising a new generation of religiously literate Americans. Wertheimer highlights the difference between teaching about religion and teaching religion and raises the question of whether it is possible to be truly tolerant of others if you know nothing about their customs, beliefs, and ceremonies. Faith Ed. stems from a Boston Globe Magazine cover story she wrote about Wellesley Middle School’s challenges after it faced controversy for taking children on a field trip to a mosque.

April 7th,  7:00 pm
Hadassah Northeast
1320 Centre Street, Suite 205
Newton Centre

Fabulous Deals on Your Favorite Newton Places for Everyone in Your Family

Zervas’ online auction at www.biddingforgood.com/zervas includes many new and exciting items available at great prices for everyone in your family, including your favorite restaurants and specialty foods, popular kids activities and birthday party venues, day and sleepaway camps, fitness classes and memberships, beauty services, sports and entertainment tickets, and much more.

Online bidding is open for one week only from March 28th through April 3rd so don’t miss out! If viewing on a mobile device, click on “View standard version of site” for a more user-friendly browsing experience. All items available for pick-up on April 10th from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at 1601 Beacon Street in Waban or email pto@zervaspto.org to make an alternative arrangement (many items may be sent by email). A five percent processing fee will be added to purchases.

Newton South seeks host families for international students

Dear Parents:

As part of the school district’s efforts to expand its global education program, Newton South High School has invited several international students to join us for the 2016-2017 school year. Through this program, NSHS has and will continue to receive excellent students from around the world. We really need the community’s help with this mission. Many Newton families have become host families to these students and this has really proved to be a fantastic experience.

To help us attract host families Newton Public Schools is working with Educatius International, a corporate partner on this program. As a host family, you receive a monthly stipend of between $800-$1000 per month. Educatius asks that you provide a loving and supportive family environment. This is a wonderful and educational experience for everyone involved and often leads to lifelong friendships.

We are very proud that these students select Newton South from among many other fine high schools in the state. If you are interested in participating in this culturally enriching experience, please contact Claudette Rowe at 508-246-7028 or claudetterowe.educatius@gmail.com. You can also contact me directly if you’d like to learn more about this program!

With warm regards,

Kara Veley
English Language Learner Liaison
Newton South High School
617-559-6516 kara_veley@newton.k12.ma.us