Category Archives: Community Notes

Flute Lessons

Flutist Patricia (Patsy) Sampson is seeking a few students – preferably middle or high school — who are ready for the next level, including ensemble playing. She has taught long-term in Newton (15+ years) and performed with the Newton Symphony and Boston-area chamber ensembles and has trained with the BSO’s Lois Schaefer, Leone Buyse, and freelance flutist William Grass.

Patsy relies on a wide repertoire and flute-playing techniques gained from many master classes and teacher training. Joyful references available on request. Call for a free introductory lesson: 617-965-7655.

Piano lessons

Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory with 30+ years of teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience.

Please contact Gloria Jasinski at 617-566-9704 or email piano566@comcast.net.

Newton Girls Soccer registration now open

Newton Girls Soccer Juniors/Intramural registration is now open for the fall 2015 soccer season. The program is open to girls who will be in grades K – 9 in the 2015-2016 school year. Register Now at this link:   REGISTER

Juniors/IM Registration Deadline: Every girl registered by the deadline is guaranteed a spot on a team.

Late Registrations/Wait list: A $15 fee applies to late registrations. Girls that register after August 15th may be put on a wait list, but they try to place everyone on a team. Players are taken off the wait list in order and notified by email if there is a spot available. Your credit card is only charged if your daughter is placed on a team.

Friend Requests: IM players may make one friend request. Friend requests must be mutual and both players must be registered by August 15th.

Fees: $125 (for the fall 2015 season)

Sibling Discounts: NGS provides a $20 discount per-child for additional children in the same family. The online registration system will only automatically apply the sibling discount if you register two or more children in the same NGS program (e.g., both in travel, both in IM 3-9, both in J2, etc.) at the same time. If your children play in different NGS programs, email registrar@newtongirlssoccer.org BEFORE you register so that they can provide a $20 discount code.  The discount cannot be applied after you have already registered and paid.

Scholarship Requests: No girl will be denied the opportunity to play due to financial reasons. You may send confidential scholarship requests to the NGS President, Mac Blythe, president@newtongirlssoccer.org.

Uniforms: The uniform for all girls playing in the Juniors/Intramural program (K-9) is a reversible (orange on one side, white on the other) NGS intramural jersey. Players may wear any color soccer shorts, socks, and shin guards; these items can be purchased on your own from any retailer.

An outside vendor handles orders and distribution of NGS IM jerseys. Order your intramural jersey via the new NGS Online Store or by going directly to Order IM Jersey. Jerseys cost $25 and are available in sizes Youth Small – Adult Large. Your order will be shipped directly to you from our vendor, generally within 7-10 days. However, please place your order at least two weeks before the season begins to ensure that your player has a jersey for the first game. Any questions about the product or your order should be directed to num1source@aol.com.

You only need to order a jersey if your daughter doesn’t have one or if her current jersey no longer fits. Because jerseys are custom orders, no returns or refunds are accepted. We suggest that you confirm the size before placing an order. Sample sizes are available to try on at Lapels Dry Cleaners located at 319 Walnut Street in Newtonville.

Coaching: The NGS IM program depends on parent coaches. Each season, the league recruits approximately 200 volunteers to accommodate all the girls who want to play. Please consider volunteering to coach (J1, J2, and IM 3-9 programs only). To express interest, sign up as a volunteer when you register your daughter(s). It is a rewarding experience and you’ll receive a considerable amount of support. Volunteers will be contacted by a grade coordinator.

9th graders: As some of you may be aware, NGS has opened up registration to 9th graders who would like to continue to play IM soccer. If you are considering registering for the NGS IM 7/8/9 program this fall, the coaches at Newton South and Newton North have requested that you first contact your high school to learn about the Freshman Soccer Program. They have a no-cut policy for freshman, so it is a great opportunity to be involved in your school’s athletics. NGS will also offer 9th grade soccer in the spring when Freshman Soccer is not in session.

Please email  registrar@newtongirlssoccer.org with any questions. The NGS Website is also an incredibly useful resource (and it never sleeps).

Plugged In fall session starts soon

Plugged In is a unique nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Fall session band classes begin the week of September 21st. More information and online registration can be found at www.pluggedinband.org.

Founded in 2002, Plugged In now has over 150 students from all over Massachusetts. Some of the students experience emotional and learning difficulties, such as ADD, depression, and low-self-esteem and/or have special needs such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. In the loving and non-competitive atmosphere at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

In addition to weekly ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year Plugged In students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world.

Newton Community Preservation Committee

August 24th  is the deadline for September 9th Agenda. The next meeting of Newton’s CPC has been changed to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 9th, at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.

If you have an item for the September agenda, please submit your agenda request and written materials for the pre-meeting packet by 4:00 pm on Monday August 24th.

For assistance, please contact program manager Alice Ingerson at 617-796-1144 or aingerson@newtonma.gov.

Remaining CPC Schedule for 2015:

No meeting scheduled in October.

Thursday, November 4th and Thursday, November 19th
October 16th is the agenda & packet deadline for both meetings;
(one of these dates may be canceled if not needed for public hearings)

Thursday, December 10th
November 20th is the agenda & packet deadline

Additional Information Online from www.newtonma.gov/cpa

Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge Sign-Up and Celebration

How Many Hours Can You Read This Summer?

It’s not too late to be a part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Come to celebrate reading, learn more about the challenge, and sign up onsite at Antoine’s Pastry Shop
(317 Watertown Street, Nonantum) on August 13th, 5:00-6:00 pm. For a flyer please click here: Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge 2015.

All registered readers who log hours are eligible to win prizes including an iPad mini, a Toshiba laptop, and coupons & discounts from local businesses.

If you cannot attend but want to register for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge, go to www.newtonma.gov/summerread or pick up a form at the Newton Free Library.

Basketball Camp run by former Bigelow Student

Anyone interested in polishing up their basketball skills over the summer?  Lex Mongo, former Bigelow student and Newton North grad, has some upcoming clinics and camps.  Lex was member of Newton North’s 2 time state basketball team in 2005 and 2006.  He then played at the Division 1 level at UMass Amherst.  Lex is the proud owner of IHoop Academy.

Lex is running a 2 day clinic at UMass Boston in July.  The dates are July 18th and 19th.  NBA player Rudy Gay will be there.  You can register at www.theihoopacademy.com .

Also Lex is running 2 weeks of basketball camp at Bigelow this summer.  August 3-7 is for middle school students.  August 10-14 is for high school students.

Some great opportunities for kids to work on their game this summer.  If you have any questions please email Lex at IHoopAcademy@gmail.com.

2015 Honor Thy Teacher

There are only a few more days to say “Thank You” to the exceptional teachers and staff who motivate, educate and inspire your students! Newton Schools Foundation created the Honor Thy Teacher program for parents to honor teachers by giving a gift in their name.

You may also choose to honor a special education aide, a fine arts or music teacher, or a coach or counselor who has touched your child’s life. Suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member.

NSF celebrates Newton Public Schools teachers and staff by:
• Notifying honored teachers and staff of your gift
• Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals.
• Listing all honored teachers and staff in the Newton TAB

You can make your donation on line at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org or by mailing your donation to Newton Schools Foundation, 246 Dudley Road, Newton, MA 02459.

Please include the names of teachers and/or staff that you are honoring. Newton Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance the quality of education in Newton’s public schools. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Space & Financial Aid available at Boys & Girls Club Camps

The Boys & Girls Club of Newton still has space available in all summer camp sessions and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Visit the Club (675 Watertown St.) or register on the Club’s website.

You can also fill out an online financial aid application and a member of the Club’s staff will contact you for a confidential conversation.

There will be an Introductory Parent’s Meeting on Tuesday, June 23, at 6:00 PM in the Learning Center. There are many new things happening this year such as STEM activities twice a week, new field trips and new exciting activities. Join us next week to find out more details like our new themes and to meet this years camp staff.

Teens: Learn Storytelling at the Library

Teens can explore cross-cultural communication, digital and oral storytelling, and recording equipment at the Newton Free Library this summer.

No Person is a Single Story, July 14, 7:00 pm
Cultural competency trainer and author Marilyn Gardner presents personal stories to illustrate cross-cultural communication. Teens and adults welcome.

Storytelling Workshops, Tuesdays (7/28, 8/4, 8/11), 7:00pm
Learn about the art of storytelling! Learn how to use recording equipment. Develop and practice your story in preparation for Story Slam on August 25.

Story Slam! August 25, 7:00pm
Teens present their stories before a live, friendly audience. Refreshments provided.

The program builds on STEAM initiatives and Summer Reading themes (Unmask and Every Hero Has a Story). More info is available from Liz Rowland, teens@newtonfreelibrary.net