Newton’s New Philharmonia presents Quintessentially American

Newton’s New Philharmonia Orchestra, led by Associate Conductor Jorge Soto, will present Quintessentially American, a program inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s Young Person’s Concert.

Across the globe, cultural organizations are taking part in “Leonard Bernstein at 100”, a two year celebration of the iconic composer, conductor and educator’s life and career. The New Philharmonia will celebrate Bernstein’s excitement and joy of classical music with the help of several young artists.

The New Philharmonia will be joined onstage by student ensembles from the Boston String Academy to perform Gipsy Overture and several colorful and exciting Latin American tangos.

“Bernstein’s considered his 14-year series of Young People’s Concerts with the New York Philharmonic as one his greatest accomplishments”, said Adrienne Hartzell, executive director of the New Philharmonia. “One aspect of these programs was the introduction of new, young and exciting artists. New Philharmonia is delighted to present in our program two highly talented ensembles from Boston String Academy, one of four winners of the MA Cultural Council’s 2019 Commonwealth Awards.”

Soto will also lead the New Philharmonia in performing excerpts from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and Bernstein’s colorful Divertimento, a piece commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1990 that includes the fun and fanciful movements “Turkey Trot,” and “March: The BSO Forever”.

During the concert, the New Philharmonia will ask patrons to support Ventanas, a charitable foundation that helps children with cancer in Venezuela. The New Philharmonia has a strong connection to Venezuela. Associate Conductor Jorge Soto, and Music Director Francisco Noya of the New Philharmonia, and Marilisa and Mariesther Alvarez, founders of the Boston String Academy, were all born and raised in Venezuela.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Newton Cultural Alliance, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Quintessentially American will be held on April 28 at 3:00 pm in the historic First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon Street,  Newton Centre. Tickets are $18.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and can be purchased online at www.newphil.org or by calling 617-527-9717.

Summer Music Camp Enrollment is Open!

The Conservatory at Highlands Summer Music Camp Enrollment is Open!

  • Rock Band Summer Camps each week of the Summer
  • Ages 6 and Up, All Experience Levels
  • All levels and instruments welcome
  • Ensembles arranged by age and experience
  • Students have a lot of fun learning songs and playing together
  • Special strings and chamber music week: August 18th
  • Concerts weekly on Fridays at 2:00 pm
  • More info on the website: http://www.highlandsconservatory.com/music-camps

Each weeklong session is Monday – Friday,  9:00 am – 3:00 pm, starting June 24th

For more information and Sign Up form click Music Camp or contact
info@highlandsconservatory.com or 617-903-0944.

The Conservatory
51 Winchester Street,  Newton Highlands
www.highlandsconservatory.com

Chemistry Tutor short walk to NSHS

Improve your grade in your Chemistry course. Prepare yourself for SAT 2 Chemistry exam. Lida Famili, a retired Milton Academy Chemistry teacher, is offering tutoring in Chemistry courses and SAT 2 Chemistry test. Lida has taught Chemistry for 25 years and has dozens of references.

Walking distance to Newton South high school. Please call or text at 617-780-5461 or email lidafamili@gmail.com.

New Bigelow Counseling Site

The Bigelow Counseling Team has developed a website with resources for families and students. Parents and guardians are invited to visit and learn about Bigelow’s commitment to social and emotional learning and health.

“Educating the whole child is the mission of Bigelow Middle School. Helping each child grow emotionally and socially, and become a healthy well-adjusted adolescent is as important as helping each child achieve strong academic progress. We strive to create a personalized environment in which students develop positive connections with trusted adults and with each other as part of a supportive community. We work together with students, parents and staff to promote the health and well-being of all students.”

Brooke Brady is ready to run the Boston Marathon for NSF

The training is over and she’s ready to run her first marathon! Brooke grew up watching the Marathon as a spectator. Now it’s her turn to conquer Heartbreak Hill on her way to the finish line at Copley Square.
Brooke is running to raise funds for Newton Schools Foundation. Help her surpass her $5000 goal to ensure NSF can continue to advance excellence and equity in the Newton public schools by funding promising initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity.

Donate to Brooke’s Run and Support NSF

Message from Brooke
“I am proud to have been chosen to run for Newton Schools Foundation.NSF supports new curricula and learning opportunities that foster high achievement for all students.
“As a special educator in Newton for the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to strengthen my skills and see first hand the positive impact that these programs have on our students. The funds raised go directly to the professional development of the staff, and programs for the students.”
To follow Brooke on Marathon Monday text Runner to 234567 and enter bib number 30358.

Bigelow Middle School 2018-2019 Yearbook

  • All-color pages 
  • Durable hard cover with original design by 8th grade artists
  • Price: $25
  • Order deadline: April 24th
  • Payments: ONLINE, cash or check 

Order today at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob (Bigelow’s Yearbook ID Code: 1945919)

If you would rather pay by cash or check (payable to: Bigelow Middle School), please place payment in a sealed envelope with the student’s name and homeroom written on the front. Your student should give the envelope to his/her homeroom teacher.

Laps at Lunch Open House

Meet staff and parent volunteers who help make our program a success! No pressure to become a volunteer! Although we’d love to have you join us, we are happy to just share our program with you so you can see how much our students enjoy it. Come see for yourself!

When: Monday – Friday, April 22 – 26 (Weather Permitting!)
Where: Burr Park
What Time: Any time between 11 am – 12pm
Who: Any parents, family and friends who are interested in volunteering or just seeing how it works!

More about Laps at Lunch HERE. 

School Committee Update

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 3/25/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update: Khita Pottinger-Johnson was introduced as Newton Public School’s new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education. She most recently served as the executive director for social emotional learning instruction and support services for the Boston Public Schools, and previously served as a principal. She will begin with NPS on July 1, 2019.

New Business

Consent Agenda

Old Business

Next Meeting

On Monday, April 8 at 7:00pm, we will discuss and vote on the FY20 Budget Proposal. In addition to the budget proposal, School Committee will also vote on the equity guidelines revisions, the last day of school, approved field trips, and minutes. We will also receive an update on high school start time, transportation planning, and EDCO.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee

Notes from the Counseling Department – March 2019

Making Stress Your Friend

As March draws to a close, our thoughts turn to spring and flowers and warm sunshine and end of term grades and, for our 8th graders, high school choices and MCAS testing…Oh no!  I can just feel the stress building! 

We have all heard about how dangerous stress can be and how harmful it is for our children (and ourselves) to be under consent pressure. We’ve heard the links between stress and heart attacks, between stress and high blood pressure, between stress and suicide.  Stress, no matter how we look at it, tends to be seen as harmful.  

The truth is, stress isn’t all negative.  More at the Bigelow Counseling Team blog.