Learn to Play the Ukelele!

For kids in Grades 2 – 5 who want to learn an instrument and explore the world of musicianship. Students will learn basics of the instrument, including rhythmic strumming and chords, and they will be playing songs in just a few weeks. The class is taught by Paula Gannon – Time for Partners music teacher. Class sizes are small, so sign up soon. Bring your own instrument or contact teacher for rental. Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture or call 617-796-1540 for information.

February 2nd – April 5th, 1:45 – 2:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center
City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton Families and Friends Jay Peak Spring Ski Trip

Jay Peak is renowned for the most snow in the east. But skiing is only part of the fun as they have a host of off-site facilities including an indoor ice rink and an INDOOR, always 80 degrees, waterpark. Not just for kids, there is surfing, boogie boarding, slides, and the only aqua-loop slide in the states. Spring at Jay is as good as it gets with warm days, soft snow, and hot fun. There are condos slope-side, with full kitchens, ski in ski out and walk to everything else! Come join the Newton Families and Friends Ski Trip!

Trip Includes:
* 2 night’s Slopeside Condos (2 bedroom units, sleep up to 8)
* 3-day lift pass (includes Friday if you can get there)
* 3-day waterpark pass (includes Friday if you can get there)
* Saturday night private Cabanas at waterpark
* Saturday night pizza dinner party in waterpark

COST: $899 for family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children 4-14 years old) *

*Add $100 per additional child 4-14 above 4 people
*Add $150 per additional adult above 4 people
*Add $50 if child is over 14 (they are considered adult)

Condos are 2 bedroom, 1 bath, with full kitchen. They are privately owned and bedding is different in each unit. A typical unit may be queen bed in one room and two twins or a bunk bed in the other bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa, to sleep up to 6. Some units may have a twin over double bunk to sleep up to 7 or 2 bunks beds to sleep up to 8. Email Randy Friedman at randyhfriedman@gmail.com or call 617-970-3079 for details or questions.

Trip dates: April 8-10th
Jay Peak, VT
Trip presented by 7 Travel LLC

What’s Happening at the Y

Try the Y Tuesdays – All Month Long
Discover all you can do at the Y. Every Tuesday in January, you’re invited to enjoy the pools, state-of-the art fitness center, gymnasium, cycle studio, group exercises and more! It’s absolutely FREE. There’s no obligation to join. No fees to pay. Enjoy fun and healthy activities, make new friendships and discover ALL that the Y offers.

Something for Everyone – Early & Late Spring Programs at the Y
Spring into action with Early and Late Spring programs at the Y. Registration for Early Spring Programs opens on February 1st for YMCA members, and February 5th for nonmembers. Early Spring programs begin the week of February 22nd.

· Learn to swim – swimming lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
· Lifeguard Training Certification Classes
· Sports Leagues – Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football
· School Vacation Week Programs
· Adult Sports Leagues – Pick-Up Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
· Music and Creative Arts programs
· Summer Camp – Day Camps and Overnight Camp
· Personal Training and Small Group Training

Visit wsymca.org to download a copy of the Early the Late Program Spring Guide, or stop by the Y and they can help you register.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is now offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a 12 week program that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. This research-based program offers those living with, through and beyond cancer a safe, empowering environment to participate in activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with specially trained Y staff to achieve goals such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance and improving confidence and self-esteem. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive “community” where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is free for participants and their families.

For more information, including how to participate in the pilot program that begins on February 1st and runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:15 – 2:30 pm for 12 weeks, please contact Jane Carroll at 617-244-650 x3007.

Club Soccer

Valeo Futbol Club is a soccer academy that provides opportunity for kids to learn the game, challenge themselves, and become better people both on and off of the field. They run programs for children ages five, all the way through 18.

For more information, please see: the winter tryout flyer and the summer clinic flyer.If you would like to learn more about Valeo Futbol Club, please visit valeofc.com or email Katy@valeofc.com.

Important NewtonPAC meeting on January 20th

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education (NewtonPAC) will host a meeting on High School Programs and Transition from middle school on January 20th.

The meeting agenda will be:

6:30 pm Welcome and Announcements
6:35-6:45 pm High School Administrators: What to expect from your Transition Team meeting
6:45- 7:30 pm High School Programs and Q&A
7:30-8:00 pm Transition Issues Panel: High School Administrators and parents including:

Academic expectations and how to prepare children for high school
Social and emotional issues in transition
Common challenges and solutions

All NewtonPAC meetings are free and open to everyone. Please check www.newtonpac.org for weather updates and cancellations. If you have any questions, please email Eileen Sandberg at Eileen.sandberg.newtonpac@gmail.com.

January 20th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm (An hour earlier than usual)
Education Center
100 Walnut Street, Room 304 (subject to change)

Newton Kindergarten Soccer – registration now open for spring season

Registration is now open for Newton Kindergarten Soccer. The spring program offers two divisions: the Kindergarten Division is for those children currently in kindergarten. The Pre-K Division is for children who will enter kindergarten in the Fall of 2016. Games are at Richardson Field and a nearby field in Waban beginning April 3rd. To be eligible, children must live or attend school in Newton.

Newton Kindergarten Soccer is an introduction to soccer, and the focus is on making friends, learning teamwork, and developing confidence. Each spring, over 200 incoming kindergarteners and 200 current kindergarteners throughout Newton play in the league.

Players are grouped with other children who will either live in the same neighborhood or attend the same school for kindergarten, so that incoming kindergartners can meet future classmates.

To find out more or to register, please visit the website: http://kindergartensoccer.org/.

Registration for Newton SouthEast Little League Spring 2016 season is open!

Registration for new and returning players for Newton SouthEast Little League’s Spring 2016 season is now open. NSELL runs several programs in the spring, including T-ball (kindergarten and younger), Farm (1st and 2nd Grade), Minors (AA and AAA) and Majors.

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 this online feedback form https://leagueathletics.com/Support/BF6.asp?n=35860&org=newtonsoutheastll.org to send them to the league.

Story Slam in Newton

The Nomad Story Slam, loosely based on the Moth Radio Hour will be held next on January 16th. Come and listen to fabulous stories from your neighbors or throw you own name in the hat to tell a 5 minute true story on the topic “not what I had in mind”.

For more information, storytelling tips, to buy tickets, or to see videos of stories from previous Nomad Story Slams go to NewtonNomadicTheater.org

January 16th, 7:30 pm
Gregorian Rugs in Lower Falls

Why So Early? Rethinking the High School Start Time: A Community Forum

Can’t wake up your teen for school?
Tired of grumpy, groggy kids?
Concerned about the impact of limited sleep on your student?

There is a lot of evidence that delaying the start time for high school can improve the physical and mental health of students, reduce tardiness, and improve learning in school. Newton is in the process of studying a later start time for the two high schools. The School Committee has formed the High School Start Time Working Group to study the benefits and challenges of doing so. Click here http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime to find out more.

On January 26th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Newton North cafeteria, the Newton North School Council is sponsoring a forum to inform the community about the benefits and challenges of a later high school start time in our city. We are pleased to be joined by Superintendent David Fleishman (watch his video https://vimeo.com/148259628), Working Group and School Committee members Ellen Gibson and Ruth Goldman, and Dr. Christopher Landrigan, a Newton parent and a physician and researcher in the Division of Sleep Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

We will also hear from high school students and faculty about their experiences. We welcome your participation in the conversation and input about a later high school start time in Newton.
If you are unable to attend the event, but would like more information about this topic, please visit: http://newtonsouthptso.org/school-info/school-council/, where you will find resources and can sign-up for periodic updates.

January 26th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Newton North High School Cafeteria

Teen Making Smart Choices

Middle School and High School students, parents, and guardians are invited to a fun, free EXPO. Teens and adults are encouraged to come to the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live musical performances; free refreshments; and fun.

Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from driving and pedestrian safety to healthy eating and positive body image to stress reduction and mental health support.

Highlights:

• Community resources for teens
• FREE and fun!
• Treat bags for first 50 students who come with a parent/guardian
• Giveaways and refreshments
• Prize drawing: Beats headphones
• “American Ninja Warrior” live demo!

Newton North High School
January 21st, 5:00 to 7:30 pm