Category Archives: Community Notes

Why So Early: A Community Forum

Why So Early: A Community Forum
The Impact of Early High School Start Times on Teens

Can’t wake up your teen? Tired of grumpy, groggy kids? Concerned about the impact of limited sleep on your student? Come learn why inadequate sleep in adolescents has become a national conversation.

On April 7th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Newton South, the Newton South School Council is sponsoring a community forum to initiate a conversation regarding the benefits of increasing adolescent sleep through a later high school start time.

You will be joined by Dr. Judith Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and an internationally recognized authority on pediatric sleep and the neurobehavioral and health consequences of sleep problems in children. Dr. Owens was the lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2014 Policy Statement supporting a later start time for middle and high schools. Dr. Owens will speak on her research and the implications of inadequate sleep on adolescents.

In addition to Dr. Owens, you will hear from students on the results of a student survey, as well as faculty and council members on what they have learned from other communities regarding the decision and process that resulted in changing their school start time. We welcome your participation in the conversation and input into how to consider this in Newton.

If you are unable to come, but would like more information about the School Council’s work to date, please contact schoolcouncil.nshs@gmail.com.

April 7th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

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Newton Community Preservation Committee

  • Angino Farm Barn Report March 31st
  • Home buyer Assistance Public Hearing April 9th

The CPC meeting on March 31st, starting at 7:30 pm (later than usual) in City Hall Room 204 includes a final report on renovations to the barn at Angino Farm, plus committee business.

On April 9, the CPC will hold a public hearing on a proposal for $1,057,000 in additional funding for the Newton Home buyer Assistance Program. This new proposal is online from “Proposals & Projects” on the program website, www.newtonma.gov/cpa. Contact Proram Manager Alice E. Ingerson at 617-796-1144 or aingerson@newtonma.gov.

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Acoustic Newton Coffeehouse

Hosted by the Barbara Cassidy Band, Featured performers: Pesky J. Nixon
Bombastic yet brilliant, these boys from New England exude a genuine musical authenticity and mirth on stages up and down the East Coast. Drawing influences from contemporary urban balladeers, rowdy southern bluegrass, and the sardonic yet wry wit of New England’s localized folk scenes, Pesky J. Nixon (PJN) creates an atmosphere both inviting and challenging for audiences.

Tickets: http://www.newtoncommunitypride.org/acoustic_newton.html
Band website: http://www.peskyjnixon.com/

April 11th, 7:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton

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Help provide fresh food to local families!

The Centre Street Food Pantry is looking for a driver with a cargo van or small box truck to meet them at the Greater Boston Food Bank on Tuesday mornings. It could be weekly but it doesn’t have to be. It takes about two hours and they have lots of volunteers ready to do the heavy lifting.  Please email centrestfoodpantry@gmail.com for additional information.

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On line auction

Mason-Rice Spring Online Auction starts March 18th and runs through March 31st. Find something good for yourself while benefitting Mason-Rice’s 470+ Elementary Students. Get a bargain on one of many camps. Purchase a gift certificate for a local restaurant or business, or a gift card for a fitness class or membership. Pick up sports or theatre tickets or sports memorabilia including a signed Gronkowski Pattriots jersey.

Check out this auction for these interesting items and many more at: https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=22615578

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Attention Middle School Parents

OPEN HOUSE FOR HIGHLANDS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children is hosting an Open House event for interested families. This is a terrific opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year. Please come and see the wonderful space that is their home base.

For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit highlandsafterschool.org

March 31st, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Brigham House
20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands

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BJEP Jewish Sunday School Open House at Brandeis University

Are you looking for an independent Hebrew school with passionate teachers and a fun curriculum? Are you interested in cultivating your child’s authentic connection to Jewish tradition, culture and values? Do you want to be a part of a Jewish community? Welcome to the Boston-Area Jewish Education Program (BJEP) at Brandeis University, a vibrant and innovative educational program in Waltham.

BJEP (pronounced B-Jep) has a diverse and dynamic staff, families from all backgrounds, and a growing adult education program. Tuition is affordable, and synagogue membership is not required. For more information, contact the Education Director, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari at rabbi@bjep.com or 617-734-4997. The website is www.bjep.com.

Open House on March 29th 2015,  10:00 am – 11:30 am
415 South St., Waltham

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Newton Cantonese School Open House

All classrooms will be opened for visitors during the open house. The school offers both Conversational and Literacy educational programs for learning Cantonese from Pre-school through 8th grade. Conversational Mandarin class starts at 5th grade in the Literacy program.

Cultural enrichment activities include Martial Arts, Chinese Dance, Chinese Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Chinese Painting, and Table Tennis.

The school is being taught on Saturday mornings during the school year in the Bigelow Middle School at 42 Vernon St. For more information, please contact Principal Agnes Lee at 617-930-3380 and/or school website: www.newtoncantoneseschool.org.

Open House is April 11th, 10:00 am – 12 noon.

 

 

 

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April Vacation is almost here!

April vacation week is coming April 20th – 25th. The Boys & Girls club will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm for their vacation program including lots of fun activities, field trips and in-house entertainment. For more information check out the brochure:
http://www.newtonbgc.com/2015-April-Vacation-Program.php

Also, The Boys & Girls Club is committed to helping all children have a quality summer camp experience regardless of your families financial situation. Scholarships are available on a limited basis. Please contact Les at lwhitham@newtonbgc.com for more information.

Summer Camp will begin on June 29th! You can register online or download an application for printing by clicking here: http://www.newtonbgc.com/summer-camp.php.

New This Year – Cove Theme Days ! Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays camp will meet at The Boys & Girls Club and then travel by bus as a group to the Cove in Auburndale. Each week will highlight a new theme. Campers will participate in special group activities, arts & crafts, sports and science. Breaks for food, hydration, and relaxation are evenly spaced throughout. Camp Goes Swimming Every Day!

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NSELL: Registration for T-Ball and Farm is Still Open!

Registration is still open for Newton SouthEast Little League’s Spring 2015 season for the T-ball (kindergarten and younger) and Farm (1st and 2nd Grade) divisions. T-Ball is an introduction to baseball for young players in Kindergarten or entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2015. Farm Division is a noncompetitive program geared toward instruction and fun. NSELL is open to any player who attends any school in our district (even if they reside in a different district).

Note: Newton SouthEast Little League serves players who reside within or attend private or public schools within the public school district boundaries of Memorial-Spaulding, Mason-Rice, Bowen, Angier, Countryside and Zervas.

Don’t delay and register today! Please visit the NSELL website for additional details about the programs or click HERE to register. If you have any questions or comments, please use the online feedback form to send them to the league.

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