Category Archives: Community Notes

News from the Newton Schools Foundation

Campaign for Innovation Under Way!
Last spring, NSF kicked off our campaign to fund the expansion of innovation in the Newton Public Schools (NPS). NPS faculty and administration identified a variety of innovative initiatives throughout the school system that foster the development of creative thinking, collaborative problem solving, communication, and leadership skills students need to prepare for college and future jobs as well allowing educators to pursue new opportunities that will have the greatest impact on their practices, the lives of their students, and their school communities. Click here for more information

NSF Launches 2013-14 Annual Appeal
In November, NSF launched the 2013-14 Annual Appeal to support the Campaign for Innovation. Your donation will enable the Newton Public Schools to expand exciting new innovative initiatives throughout Newton’s 22 schools. Follow this link for information about donating and to donate online.

The Tanglewood Marionettes present The Dragon King

An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, The Dragon King tells the tale of an intrepid Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King, and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above. With colorful sea creatures, an exciting adventure, and a Dragon King that will knock your socks off!

Don’t be stuck inside with cabin fever over school vacation, this show is a delight for the whole family. Tickets in advance at www.newtoncommunitypride.org for $8.00 or $10.00 at the door. Open seating. 617-796-1540 for more information.
February 23rd, at Newton City Hall. 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm shows.

Theatre Ink proudly presents: Cabaret Troupe’s Neverland

Cabaret Troupe is a group of dedicated performers who tell stories through the unique medium of contemporary musical theatre. This year they are showcasing a balance of comedic and dramatic numbers, and fostering vibrant acting performances through song. Directed by Will Champion and Jonathan Gomolka. Musical Direction by Alex Shames.

January 9th and 10th at 7:30 pm in the Performing Arts Center, Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street.

Tickets $7.00 at http.www.threatreink.net . For more information, please contact Adam_Brown@Newton.k12.ma.us or 617- 559-6306.

Angier Online Auction Closeout Sale!

Amazing deals on summer camps and classes – less than half price! The 2013 Angier Online Auction is now officially closed, but there are still a few great items left over, so, before they close out completely, they are offering them for sale one last time at a steep discount. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for huge savings! Please click here to view the list of available items.

All the items will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the price listed – no bidding, just a great deal. Please contact angierauction@gmail.com if you would like to purchase any of these items or if you would like more information about them.

Upcoming Teen Programs @ the Newton Free Library

The Lone Ranger Movie Screening
Johnny Depp hits the big screen in The Lone Ranger. Come to the Newton Free Library on Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm to watch a screening of the film. Open to ages 13 and up. Rated PG-13, runtime 149 min.

Family Game Night
Staying around town for the holiday season? Get in on a little friendly competition at Family Game Night on Monday, December 30th at 7:00 pm at the Newton Free Library. Join us in Druker Auditorium, where we will be playing board games and eating pizza. Open to all ages.

Table Manners, Conversations, Presentations, Posture, Friendships and more

The Etiquette Academy of New England has partnered with Newton Learning Center and is currently enrolling for Winter 2014!  Spots will fill up quickly, so please visit www.TheEtiquetteAcademy.org  and enroll today!

Mind Your Manners: Beyond Please and Thank You (Grades 2-4)
Sundays, January 12th – March 9th, 9:00 – 10:00 am,  Fee: $365
Final class to be held at an upscale restaurant

Etiquette for Middle Schoolers (Grades 5-8)
Sundays, January 12th – March 9th,  10:00 -11:30 am, Fee: $467
Final class to be held at an upscale restaurant

Etiquette for Young Adults (Grades 9-12)
Sundays, January 12th – March 9th, 11:30 – 1:00 pm, Fee: $469
Final class to be held at an upscale restaurant

Inaugural Events

Mayor Warren invites all residents to join him for two days of festivities as part of the 2014 inauguration. The events will begin on Tuesday, December 31st with the annual Mayor’s Open House. The day starts at 9:00 am with volunteers helping to sort and package food donations as part of our citywide food drive in the City Hall cafeteria. Then from 1:30-3:30 pm, the Open House will be taking place throughout City Hall, with a variety of arts and crafts, refreshments, music, dance and other activities for kids.

On January 1st, residents are invited to join Mayor Warren for his second inauguration. The day will begin with a pre-inaugural interfaith prayer service at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St., Newton at 10:00 a.m… The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

The inauguration ceremony will begin at Noon at Newton City Hall, and will include the swearing in of the Mayor, Board of Aldermen and School Committee members. It will be followed by a reception which will feature musical performances from Newton Public Schools, as well as food and refreshments. The inauguration is free, but it is a ticketed event and space is limited. To request tickets, please contact Ana Gonzalez at agonzalez@newtonma.gov no later than December 26th.

Luke’s Lights

Please join us on December 20th for the Second Annual Community Celebration of Luke’s Lights from 6:00 pm-11:00 pm for a Family Pot-Luck Dinner, Kids Activities, Great Live Music, and DJ at the Windsor Club, 1601 Beacon Street, Waban, MA.

For each ticket, two lights get to someone who cannot yet imagine how his/her life will change. Tickets and information are available at http://www.lukeslights.org and food sign-up at: www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4CA4A7238-lukes1

“Luke’s Lights” was born of a wish by Luke Voss-Kernan’s friends and family to spread his light far and wide. All proceeds go towards a nonprofit “Unite-to-Light” to bring solar lights to communities in developing countries that live off the electrical grid. Since Luke’s Lights was started over a year ago, more than 5,000 lights have been sent to light homes in Kenya, Haiti, India, and just this month, two Mason-Rice families delivered 50 solar lights to an orphanage in Tanzania so the children could read and do their homework in the evening. In the United States, Luke’s Lights helped to brightened homes in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy left them in darkness.

Luke was a 2010 graduate of Newton South High School, and an alum of Brown Middle School and Mason-Rice Elementary School. To learn more about Luke and the good this program is already doing, please take a moment and visit http://lukeslights.org/shine.html

Newton Girls Softball registration is NOW open

Newton Girls Softball registration is underway for the 2014 spring season. This is a recreational league for over 300 Newton girls in grades 1-7. Players of all skill levels will have a fun and rewarding experience. Visit the website www.NewtonGirlsSoftball.org for more details, access to on-line registration, and winter indoor clinic information.

Register before January 31st to avoid a late fee. February 28th is the last date you can register with guaranteed placement and pair-me-with requests.