Category Archives: Community Notes

Holiday Etiquette Programs for Ages 7-17

The Etiquette Academy of New England will be offering a 4-hour Holiday Etiquette Program in Downtown Boston (ages 7-12) on November 21st and in Framingham, MA (ages 13-17) on December 13th.

The holiday season is fast approaching. Do you wish your child would partake in a conversation at the dinner table instead of “bonding” with their cell phones or playing games on their iPad?

The Etiquette Academy of New England’s Program will prepare your child for Thanksgiving Dinner or the next family gathering. Children will learn how to start and maintain conversations with adults and peers as well as how to introduce themselves, when to interrupt, how to knock when entering a room, and much more.

The program will help reinforce your child’s basic manners, conversation techniques, and table manners, skills you have been teaching them at home, but now in a fun setting with their peers. Children will learn how to set the table, use their napkin, pass food, and use utensils the European and American way.

SESSION I
Ages 7-12, November 21st, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Fee $175
West End Community Center
One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114
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SESSION II
Ages 13-17, December 13th,  1:00 to 5:00 pm
Fee: $175
Sheraton Framingham Hotel
1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701

For more information and to enroll visit theetiquetteacademy.org or call 617-608-3920.

Open House – North Country Camps

Are you considering overnight summer camp for your child? Northcountry Camps, family owned for ~100 years, located in the Adirondacks is holding an open house. Come meet the directors of Lincoln and Whippoorwhill and watch their slide show presentation.
For more details, please visit www.northcountrycamps.com or contact Phoebe Olhava at polhava@gmail.com

November 8th, 3:00 pm

“Food Allergies: What You Need to Know Now”

Food Allergies: What You Need to Know Now
Life-threatening food allergies now affect an estimated 4% of teens and adults and up to 8% of young children. Allergist Curtis Moody, MD, will discuss the evolving understanding of food allergies and how to prevent and handle severe allergic reactions at the Metro-Boston Allergy and Asthma Educational Support Group, which meets at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. The program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

November 10th, 7:00 pm
Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Free.

For info, call the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter at 781-444-7778 or visit www.asthmaandallergies.org


Dr. Moody will explain how to prevent, recognize, and treat anaphylaxis (the medical term for severe allergic reactions), and how to decide when to use epinephrine, the life-saving medication that comes in auto- injector devices. In addition to foods, the same symptoms and responses apply to allergies to stinging insects, medications, and latex. Dr. Moody will also discuss the newly-published guidelines for infant feeding strategies to prevent food allergy. He is a Board-certified allergist with offices in Brookline and Concord, and serves as Medical Advisor to the support group.

Trainer devices and discount coupons to reduce or eliminate the co-pay for epinephrine injectors will be available at the meeting.

AAFA New England organizes educational programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information, to receive e-mail announcements about future programs, or a free copy of “Eating Out with Food Allergies” or “Allergy Basics,” call 781-444-7778 or visit www.asthmaandallergies.org.

Kitten available

Adorable nine week old kitten ready for adoption. A Newton family that occasionally fosters kittens for shelters has one very sweet, playful and healthy kitten ready to be adopted. They have formed a strong connection with him and were hoping to find a local home instead of returning him to the shelter for adoption. He has been neutered and vaccinated.

If you’re interested, would like to see him, please contact Marsha at mhgklein@gmail.com.

Election is November 3rd

The League of Women Voters Voters’ Guide, a resource on the candidates who are running for all the municipal offices on November 3rd, is available here.

Read short biographies of all the Aldermen, School Committee and Charter Commission candidates, as well as their answers to questions about issues concerning our community. Print copies will be available at Newton City Hall, the Newton Free Library, the Senior Center in Newtonville, and other locations around Newton. Click here for more information.

Verify your ward/precinct: http://apps.newtonma.gov/apps/WPInternet/index.asp
Check your voter registration status: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

‘Big Dream’ — Free STEM Inspiration Event for Girls, Grades 6-12, Nov. 14

‘Big Dream’ — Free STEM Inspiration Event for Girls, Grades 6-12

Middle and high school girls are invited to a free STEM event on Saturday, November 14, 2:00 pm –  4:30 pm, in Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium. Meet with over a dozen women scientists and engineers in a wide range of fields and careers. View an inspiring documentary, “Big Dream”, which tells the stories of seven young women as they face challenges pursuing STEM careers. Discuss the issues the film raises. Ask questions. Get answers and new ideas.

Space is limited and registration is required. Register at http://bit.ly/BigDream-Nov14.

This Envision the Future event is sponsored by the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, the Newton Free Library, and NewtonSTEM. Ice cream provided by the generosity of Cabot’s. For more information, visit NewtonSTEM.org or contact Liz Rowland at 617-796-1380 or teens@newtonfreelibrary.net.

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Newton Families,

As many of you know, college admissions has become an increasingly frenetic and pressured process. While our high schools in Newton have developed a college planning philosophy designed to support students and families, the energy, angst and resource devoted to the process can push some students and their families to the brink. What should we do about a phenomenon that can feel out of control?

New York Times columnist and best selling author, Frank Bruni, has written a compelling new book which offers a thoughtful perspective on college admissions. In sum, Bruni argues that where a student goes to college is far less important than many of us previously believed. The book offers a counter narrative for students and their families who feel that their future and self-worth depends on a “yes” or a “no” from a certain group of colleges.

I think Bruni’s perspective is especially timely given that we have seen a spike in stress and anxiety among our students. Since reading the book, I have a consistently quoted Bruni when the topic of college admissions comes up in conversation: “Where you go is not who you’ll be.” I hope this message resonates with others after reading his book.

On Wednesday, December 2nd, I will hold a superintendent/parent book discussion on Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. It will give us an opportunity to talk about the book as a community and hear from a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process. The panelists will include:

  • Jennifer King, College Consultant and Retired Guidance Department Head, Newton South High School
  • Beth Swederkas, Guidance Department Head, Newton North High School
  • Ronne Patrick Turner, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions – Northeastern University

Here are the details:
December 2nd  7:00 -8:30 pm
Newton South Library

Here is the link with further information about the book. We have also included articles written by Frank Bruni on the topic.http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bookdiscussion2015

I hope to see you for what should be a lively conversation on December 2nd.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

Superintendent of Schools

November 3rd Election Information

The League of Women Voters Voters’ Guide, a resource on the candidates who are running for all the municipal offices on November 3rd, is available here.

Read short biographies of all the Aldermen, School Committee and Charter Commission candidates, as well as their answers to questions about issues concerning our community. Print copies will be available at Newton City Hall, the Newton Free Library, the Senior Center in Newtonville, and other locations around Newton. Click here for more information.

NewPAC meeting: Basic Rights in Special Education

Basic Rights in Special Education including recent changes in special education law.

Attorney Tim Sindelar will cover basic rights of children and parents under special education law including recent changes in special education laws and decisions by the MA Board of Special Education Appeals. There will be ample time for questions and answers.
For more information, contact Eileen at eileen.sandberg.newtonpac@gmail.com.

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education.

October 28th
Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 pm, presentation begins at 7:30 pm
The Education Center, Room 304
100 Walnut Street
Newton