Category Archives: From PTO Council

Next Meeting of GN School Connections September 12th

Green Newton School Connections provides a forum for parents, students and educators to promote sustainability in the classroom and beyond. All are welcome to participate to share experiences and ideas that support the implementation of green initiatives in our schools.

Recent initiatives:

  • GN School Connections petitioned the Newton School Committee about the need to improve recycling in Newton’s schools, and the committee adopted a new school recycling policy in the spring of 2019.
  • Advocacy that was instrumental in getting the city to consider environmental practices and waste reduction in schools with the selection of a new food service vendor, Whitsons. Representatives will participate in discussions with the City to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias.
  • GN School Connections worked with city leaders to submit a state grant application to support the expansion of the school recycling program and is also advocating for the city’s approval to set up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building.

For more information contact schoolconnections@greennewton.org or visit the GN School Connections website.

Next meetings are September 12th and October 10th, 3:45 – 5:00 pm in the third-floor arc area of the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street

Personal Chef service

Too Busy to Cook is a one-woman personal chef service based in Newton, provididng customized meals cooked in your home. She caters to busy families, friends who want to share home cooked meals and seniors. Custom meals are tailored to your tastes, schedule and dietary needs. Too Busy to Cook takes care of menu planning, shopping, cooking, packaging, labeling and reheating instructions, and leaves your kitchen at least as clean as she found it!

Bringing Families Back to the dinner table, eat healthier this year! Contact Eileen at eileenrielly@gmail.com , 617-309-0454, or visit 2busytocook.com.

Free Summer Music program

Boston Music Institute is offering a FREE morning orchestra program this August at Driscoll School in Brookline. There will be three, week-long sessions, and students may sign up for one, two or three weeks.

BMI also offers optional, low-cost afternoon small ensembles and SAT/SSAT/ACT prep classes. The free large ensemble runs 9:30 am to Noon and is for Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion – ages 8 to 19.

The goal of this program is to provide students from beginning through advanced-intermediate instrumental ability with a rigorous and fun ensemble playing experience, taught by high-level instructors from BMI, in order to grow and develop their individual musicianship and group playing. For more infoamtion, visit Boston Music Institute (BMI).

Cabot Carr-nival

The Cabot Carr-nival Committee would like to invite all school families to this fun, annual event.  There will be lots of fun games, inflatables, prizes, a pizza truck, ice cream and much more.

Also this year, the Cabot Carr-nival is piloting a new initiative to make this great community event more accessible and inclusive to all families. To accomplish this goal, we are introducing the following:

1. Noise cancelling headphones available for checkout
2. Craft/sensory table for all kids that need a little down time
3. Break away room to go to if kids get too overwhelmed
4. Bubble machine (thanks to the NECP PTO)

To view the flyer, please click Cabot Carr-nival

June 8th,  10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Project Oceanology Marine Science Summer Camp Opportunities

Project Oceanology is a 501(c)(3) year-round marine science and environmental education organization located at Avery Point in Groton, CT with a mission to nurture enthusiasm for science and for our planet’s marine environment. Their summer camps are licensed by the State of Connecticut, their vessel operators are licensed by the U. S. Coast Guard, and their marine educators have expertise, educational backgrounds, and extensive experience in the delivery of marine science and environmental education enrichment programs to elementary through high school students, college students, summer camp participants, and the general public.

For students entering grades 6-12, Project Oceanology is offering two residential camps this summer – Ocean Camp and a new Marine Science Research Experience. Residential campers are accommodated in a hostel for a week-long immersion in hands-on, brains-on marine science education and fun aboard research vessels, along nearby shorelines, and in  marine laboratories.

Details on the camps and registration information is available at https://www.oceanology.org/summer-camps. This year generous donors have also enabled need based financial assistance to offset the cost of tuition.

See the informational flyer and financial assistance form.

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens – talking to your kids about things that freak you out

Talking to Your Kids about Sexting, Drinking, Drugs and Other Things That FREAK YOU OUT.

The Health & Human Services Department is hosting a speaker on parenting teens. This is part of a joint effort with the school department to help parents in the community understand and set boundaries around issues of concern including: vaping, alcohol, substance use, and other risky behaviors. Presented by: Joani Geltman, MSW, Local Expert on Parent-Teen Relationships

Tickets are Free and available HERE. Flyer is available HERE.

May 1st, 7:00 pm
Newton South High School Lecture Hall

Hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services

FORJ Newton Event

Please join FORJ and Co-Sponsor, the Harmony Foundation, for their most high profile event of the year! The featured guests are Debby Irving, racial justice educator and celebrated author of Waking Up White and Shay Stewart-Bouley, Executive Director, Community Change, Inc. and blogger of Black Girl In Maine.

Debby and Shay will explore how we can speak openly and honestly in cross-racial conversations, explore racism’s impact on their lives and examine how we can create sustainable connections. Please check out the flyer HERE

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will hold a pre-event meetup at 6:30 pm. Do not miss your chance to attend, to speak with the Mayor and join this community conversation! Attendance is free and open to all. RSVP HERE.

April 9th, 7:30 pm
Angier Elementary School

Opening of the New Newton Highlands Playground

The City of Newton’s Planning & Development Department is partnering up with Parks & Recreation for the official opening of the Newton Highlands Playground. This playground underwent significant improvements, and to celebrate, there will be a family-friendly community event with a series of games and programming for all, including basketball, pickle ball, cornhole, and Zumba presented by the Newton Senior Center!

Flyer available here: Playground Opening

April 26th, 4:00 – 7:00 pm (rain date: April 30th,  1:00 – 3:00 pm)

Who is buried in Metfern Cemetery? Offering Details and Dignity

The Metro Citizen’s Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services invites the public to attend a presentation by students from the Gann Academy in Waltham.

The Gann Academy 11th grade US History students have dedicated their year to learning about and teaching others about the community of people that lived in the Fernald School, the Met State Hospital and were buried in the MetFern Cemetery in Waltham. Their goal is to try to understand how institutions like the Fernald School could have been built and to think more clearly about how we can be a more inclusive society.

We urge you to attend to learn how people with disabilities were abused and disrespected through the years and fortunately how current attitudes have changed to promoting independence and self-fulfillment and quality care for those who have disabilities. Hear how this group of students has changed the ultimate disrespect to several hundred individuals from two state institutions.

Come to honor these students and their accomplishments

April 29th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Price Center, 27 Christina Street, Newton Highlands
Please enter the building from the large parking lot on Christina Street

For questions, please contact Lucie Chansky at 617-244-7310 or luciechansky@gmail.com or Gail Gillespie at 781-314-7501 or gail.gillespie2@state.ma.us