Category Archives: Community Notes

Responsive Home Workshops

Join a workshop to learn useful steps to creating a Responsive Home and gain practical strategies to promote positive behavior at home.

The tools of Responsive Classroom can be used to help create a calm, supportive and encouraging environment at home too!

Two dates coming up soon. Open to the Public – No Registration Required

This workshop will be taught by Amy Kelly, District Leader of Social and Emotional Learning, Newton Public Schools. Please see the RHome Flyer2016 for more information or contact Kathleen at kathleen_marchi@newton.k12.ma.us with any questions.

January 21st, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
February 9th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Room 210, The Education Center
100 Walnut Street, Newton

Why So Early?

Rethinking the High School Start Time: A Community Forum

Can’t wake up your teen for school? Tired of grumpy, groggy kids? Concerned about the impact of limited sleep on your student? There is a lot of evidence that delaying the start time for high school can improve the physical and mental health of students, reduce tardiness, and improve learning in school. Newton is in the process of studying a later start time for the two high schools. The School Committee has formed the High School Start Time Working Group to study the benefits and challenges of doing so. Find out more at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime.

The Newton North School Council is sponsoring a forum to inform the community about the benefits and challenges of a later high school start time in our city. We are pleased to be joined by Superintendent David Fleishman, Working Group and School Committee members Ellen Gibson and Ruth Goldman, and Dr. Christopher Landrigan, a Newton parent and a physician and researcher in the Division of Sleep Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. We will also hear from high school students and faculty about their experiences. We welcome your participation in the conversation about a later high school start time in Newton.

January 26th,  7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton North cafeteria

If you are unable to attend the event, but would like more information about this topic, please visit: http://newtonsouthptso.org/school-info/school-council/, where you will find resources and can sign-up for periodic updates.

Mason-Rice Online Auction Coming Soon!

Don’t Miss Out On These Great Items!

  • Summer Camps – Overnight Camps in the Berkshires, Maine & NH. Day Camps including Beaver, Belmont Hill, Dexter, Meadowbrook & Many More!
  • Dining Gift Certificates – 51 Lincoln, Besito Mexican, Frank Pepe’s Pizza, The Local, Shake Shack & More!
  • Outings – Coolidge Corner Theater, Drumlin Farm, Ecotarium, Peabody Essex Museum, & More!
  • Also Fitness, Hotels & More!

Mason-Rice Elementary School Online Auction is open to all
Auction dates:  January 28th – February 9th
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=246764782

Help New Schools Foundation Meet its Goal!

Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) needs your help to continue to be one of the best public school systems in the Commonwealth and the nation. They are two-thirds of the way to our Annual Appeal goal of $60,000. Please donate today to help them reach their goal.

Your gift will support innovative programs that are difficult to address in the school department’s operating budget. These include:

• Elementary music initiative, modeled after El Sistema, established in Venezuela, to introduce low-income children to instrumental music. This will be piloted at Lincoln-Eliot with potential for expansion to other elementary schools.
• Summer writing institute, a professional development program for elementary school teachers to help students become better writers for the information age.
• Computer coding in the middle schools

…and much more!

NSF-supported initiatives also address social/emotional wellbeing; global education, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), and closing the achievement gap. The programs NSF funds span Newton’s diverse student population and impact all of Newton’s 12,000+ students.

These teaching and learning opportunities would not be possible without supporters like you.

When you give to Newton Schools Foundation you are ensuring that the Newton Public Schools continue to provide Newton students with the best education in this ever-changing teaching and learning environment.

P.S. If you have already donated thank you so much. If you haven’t, please make a tax-deductible contribution to NSF today. They are only $20,000 away from reaching our goal and you can help us get there. Please check with your employer about matching gifts.

To donate, please click here: Donate

Summer ideas for Middle and High Schoolers

Newton South High School will host the 12th Annual Teen Summer Program Expo. The event is FREE, open to the public and will be held in the cafeteria. Find the perfect summer experience for middle and high school students. Meet directors of enriching summer programs in the U.S. & abroad. Programs for every budget and include academic, adventure, travel, community service, internships, sport instruction, language immersion, arts/theatre/music, college prep and gap year programs. Efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, safety, & supervision. For more information contact laura@campsourcenetwork.com or at 617-244-3316.

February 8th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road
Snow date: February 9th

Time for Partners is going home!

After a wonderful season at the warm and inviting Auburndale Community Library, Time for Partners is returning to Newton City Hall for the Winter/Spring session. The construction of the elevator for the War Memorial Auditorium of Newton City Hall is complete, and the class has returned to its new and improved home!

It is easier than ever to bring your stroller to the class, simply access the elevator on the Homer Street side of City Hall. Space is limited and fills up quickly in the ever popular Art & Music class for children ages 18 months to 4 years with an adult.

Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture for more information and to register.

Learn to Play the Ukelele!

For kids in Grades 2 – 5 who want to learn an instrument and explore the world of musicianship. Students will learn basics of the instrument, including rhythmic strumming and chords, and they will be playing songs in just a few weeks. The class is taught by Paula Gannon – Time for Partners music teacher. Class sizes are small, so sign up soon. Bring your own instrument or contact teacher for rental. Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture or call 617-796-1540 for information.

February 2nd – April 5th,  1:45 – 2:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center
City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton Families and Friends Jay Peak Spring Ski Trip

Jay Peak is renowned for the most snow in the east. But skiing is only part of the fun as they have a host of off-site facilities including an indoor ice rink and an INDOOR, always 80 degrees, waterpark. Not just for kids, there is surfing, boogie boarding, slides, and the only aqua-loop slide in the states. Spring at Jay is as good as it gets with warm days, soft snow, and hot fun. There are condos slope-side, with full kitchens, ski in ski out and walk to everything else! Come join the Newton Families and Friends Ski Trip!

Trip Includes:
* 2 night’s Slopeside Condos (2 bedroom units, sleep up to 8)
* 3-day lift pass (includes Friday if you can get there)
* 3-day waterpark pass (includes Friday if you can get there)
* Saturday night private Cabanas at waterpark
* Saturday night pizza dinner party in waterpark

COST: $899 for family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children 4-14 years old) *

*Add $100 per additional child 4-14 above 4 people
*Add $150 per additional adult above 4 people
*Add $50 if child is over 14 (they are considered adult)

SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 22nd!

Condos are 2 bedroom, 1 bath, with full kitchen. They are privately owned and bedding is different in each unit. A typical unit may be queen bed in one room and two twins or a bunk bed in the other bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa, to sleep up to 6. Some units may have a twin over double bunk to sleep up to 7 or 2 bunks beds to sleep up to 8. Email Randy Friedman at randyhfriedman@gmail.com or call 617-970-3079 for details or questions.

Trip dates: April 8-10th
Jay Peak, VT
Trip presented by 7 Travel LLC

What’s Happening at the Y

Try the Y Tuesdays – All Month Long
Discover all you can do at the Y. Every Tuesday in January, you’re invited to enjoy the pools, state-of-the art fitness center, gymnasium, cycle studio, group exercises and more! It’s absolutely FREE. There’s no obligation to join. No fees to pay. Enjoy fun and healthy activities, make new friendships and discover ALL that the Y offers.

Something for Everyone – Early & Late Spring Programs at the Y
Spring into action with Early and Late Spring programs at the Y. Registration for Early Spring Programs opens on February 1st for YMCA members, and February 5th for nonmembers. Early Spring programs begin the week of February 22nd.

· Learn to swim – swimming lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
· Lifeguard Training Certification Classes
· Sports Leagues – Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football
· School Vacation Week Programs
· Adult Sports Leagues – Pick-Up Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
· Music and Creative Arts programs
· Summer Camp – Day Camps and Overnight Camp
· Personal Training and Small Group Training

Visit wsymca.org to download a copy of the Early the Late Program Spring Guide, or stop by the Y and they can help you register.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is now offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a 12 week program that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. This research-based program offers those living with, through and beyond cancer a safe, empowering environment to participate in activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with specially trained Y staff to achieve goals such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance and improving confidence and self-esteem. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive “community” where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is free for participants and their families.

For more information, including how to participate in the pilot program that begins on February 1st and runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:15 – 2:30 pm for 12 weeks, please contact Jane Carroll at 617-244-650 x3007.