First Lego League Info night

The Newton LigerBots are hosting a First Lego League (FLL) and Jr. FLL Info Night for elementary and middle school aged students and parents.  FLL is the FIRST LEGO robotics competition for fourth through eighth graders. Junior FLL is a project-based FIRST program for children in grades K – 3.

In addition to building and programming LEGO robots, each year’s themed FLL challenge a project for which team members brainstorm and present creative solutions to real life problems. This year, all the FIRST competitions will be space themed and the FLL game is titled “Into Orbit”. The presentation is aimed primarily at parents, but kids are also welcome to come and learn more about the FLL program and participate in STEM related activities. Eastern MA Champion FLL team The Day Dragons will join current LigerBots students and coaches who have participated in FLL in the past will lead a presentation with general information on FLL as well as on how to start your own team. There will be demonstrations of EV3 robots, STEM activities, and people to answer any questions you may have. Email fll@ligerbots.com for more information.

June 20th, 7:00  – 9:00 pm
Newton North High School, Film Lecture Hall (just off the front entrance at Tiger Drive)
457 Walnut Street

July 4th Celebration in Newton

Kids’ Morning on July 4th, 10:00 am – 12 Noon, Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace. Free event for children ages 3 – 12 years. Children and families are invited to join in the Grande Pet Parade, Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Teddy Bear Parade and Foot Races. Free ice cream, candy and drinks complete the morning celebration – courtesy of Cabot’s Ice Cream. Kids Morning is cancelled in the event of rain.

Afternoon/Evening Events on July 4th, Noon – 10:00 pm – Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex

The fun continues with kiddie amusement rides, face painting, craft vendor booths and food trucks. Look for the Circus Arts performances from students and staff of Gravity Alternative Movement! Then, the fun moves over to the main stage with the fabulous Bo & Bill Winiker Band (courtesy of the Village Bank) for music and dancing from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Bring lawn chairs, try out the delicious food from the many food trucks and pick up your light-up novelties. At 9:00 pm, don’t miss the grand finale…a fantastic fireworks display! In the event of rain, the concert and fireworks will be rescheduled for a date to be determined. Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org for details.

Try the Y

Saturdays are free all summer long! Guests must present a valid ID at the front desk. Summer Programs begin the week of June 18th. Keep your mind and body active all summer long with programs to keep you and your children busy.

Summer program highlights:

• Swim lessons for all ages, with day and time options to fit every schedule!
• TRX suspension training for ages 55+
• Youth basketball league
• Summer Session, a youth music writing and recording program for ages 12+
• And more!

View all summer programs and register online at wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050.

Pick-Up Ultimate Frisbee for Adults

The West Suburban YMCA is offering Wednesday night pick-up ultimate frisbee on the New Balance Track & Field. Meet on the turf field at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays, June 27th through August 8th (no frisbee on July 4). Cost is $10 to drop-in. Please contact Chris Ellison, Sports and Recreation Director, at 617-244-6050 x3806 for more information.

Pickleball is Back!

Join us Tuesdays from 9:30 am-11:30 am and take up a new sport: Pickleball! What’s Pickleball, you ask? Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. All are welcome. $5 drop-in fee.

Summer is upon us, and there’s a camp experience to fit every child’s needs!

• Camp Pikati is a summer day camp at the West Suburban YMCA, offering a traditional camp option or sports camp option, for children ages 3-15.

• Camp Chickami is a traditional outdoor summer day camp in Wayland, MA for ages 6-15.

• Camp Frank A. Day is an overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-15.

Registration for summer camp is ongoing, but sessions are beginning to fill. For more information, visit wsymca.org or contact Camping Services at 617-244-6050 x3008 or email campingservices@wsymca.org.

West Suburban YMCA Center for Creative Arts Outdoor Concert & BBQ – June 16th

Join the Y’s Center for Creative Arts (YCCA) for their final concert of the school year hosted at the First Baptist Church in Newton Centre! There will be food, games and music all day long for friends and family. Music starts at 10:00 am. For more information, contact Kevin O’Connell at kevino@wsymca.org.

Annual Golf Tournament – June 18th

Join Y Staff and Volunteers on Monday, June 18th for our Annual Golf Tournament being held at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord. The golf tournament is a fun day on the course and supports the Y’s Annual Campaign, providing financial assistance to local families in need. For more information or to register as an individual, contact Sara Pollock DeMedeiros at 617-244-6050 x3099.

World’s Largest Swim Lesson – June 21st

The West Suburban YMCA is participating in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson, a global event designed to build awareness and generate attention about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent drowning. The Y is offering several time options throughout the day on June 21st for children and families to access a free swim lesson. Visit wsymca.org for more information and to register.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs

The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Summer ACT Boot Camp

The ACT is the college-readiness standardized test of choice in most of our country, and it is steadily gaining in popularity here in Massachusetts. It is accepted by all colleges and may be a better choice for some students. The ACT tests math, science, reading, and writing (the writing portion of the test is optional). NCE is pleased to partner with Summit Educational Group to offer a comprehensive program that covers all sections of the ACT exam. You’ll cover fundamental academic skills like algebra, critical reading, and grammar, as well as essential test-taking strategies.

The program will run Monday – Thursday. Students will take a full-length practice exam during the first class (1:00 pm finish that day). All materials are provided. Register at newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

August 20th – 23rd, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Attention Angier, Bowen, Franklin, Horace Mann, Memorial Spaulding and Ward Schools

Volunteers from Angier, Bowen, Franklin, Horace Mann, Memorial Spaulding and Ward Schools are needed for a School Survey.

Green Newton’s Schools Connections Group in collaboration with Newton’s Department of Environmental Affairs, needs volunteers to conduct a recycling survey on “waste, recycling and composting practices” in the schools listed above.

Volunteers from other Newton schools have offered to conduct the survey, which involves documenting observations by doing a walk-through of the school. Some questions may require communication with custodial staff, administrative staff, or faculty. We ask that volunteers read through the assessment BEFORE starting it, and please plan for a few hours or so to complete it in the next few weeks if possible.

Here’s the survey: Sustainable Materials Management Survey.

The data to be collected will help to better focus city resources on significantly improving the sustainability of our schools. Please contact info@greennewton.org to let us know if you are interested in volunteering for this project.

Summer Reminders from the School Nurse

Medication Pick-up: Parents of students who have medication stored in the health room should pick it up by the last day of school, June 22. All medication (pills, epi-pens, inhalers, etc.) not picked up will be discarded. Please plan ahead to pick medication up so it is not wasted! Medication may not be carried home by the student — it must be picked up by an adult. School nurses will not be available after June 22 to return medication to families. 

Medication Order Reminder: All medication orders expire at the end of the school year. If you are visiting your child’s health care provider during the summer, consider requesting a new medication order for your child. All medication, prescription or over-the-counter, requires an order. The Medication Permission Form and the Medication Policy are both available online at  www.newtonma.gov/schoolhealth

West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease Prevention: Mosquito and tick-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and Lyme disease occur in Newton residents. Take steps to avoid getting sick!

  • Mosquito repellant not only works for mosquitoes, but helps repel ticks as well. Use a repellant with DEET, and follow label instructions for concentrations appropriate for children.
  • Avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito hours, particularly once West Nile Virus has been detected in the mosquito population.
  • Remove containers around your home (tires, kid pools, pots, tarps) that could allow mosquitoes to breed.
  • Check your body for ticks after being outdoors and remove them immediately to avoid disease transmission.

Shoo the flu! Seasonal influenza vaccine will be offered this fall during the school day to students and employees. The flu shot (no FluMist again this year at school) will be available to all students in Kindergarten through grade 12, by parental consent only. Consent and screening forms will be posted at www.newtonma.gov/flu by early September, in preparation for the fall clinics. Insurance information will be requested, but all students are welcome to receive the vaccine at no charge.

The flu clinic date for Bigelow Middle School will be Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Forms (available in Sept.) will be due to the school nurse by Monday, October 22, 2018. This schedule is confirmed unless the flu vaccine supply is delayed, in which case the school nurse will notify families of an alternative date once the vaccine arrives.

Have a happy and healthy summer!

Sue Schy, Bigelow Nurse

Thank you to all those who helped with the Teacher Appreciation Tea

A warm thank you to all that contributed your time and delectable food to the Teacher Appreciation Tea this week. The teachers and staff at Bigelow enjoyed the wonderful spread. A special thank you to Magda Duchnowska for leading this effort for us!!

THANK YOU: Akiko Schultz, Alexandra Novina, Alexis Giannakopoulos, Amy Kendall, Ana Kales, Andrea Hemment, Anna Olivella, Anne Reenstierna , Aoife O’Dwyer , Beth Hicks, Beth Secinaro, Claudia Doherty, Debbie fredberg , Frankie Kervin, Heather Pozen, Heidi Gardner, James Bryant, Jinglei Mei, Joanne Simpson , Judy Kelly, Krista Corr, Kristin Golden, Kristin Heyer, Lena Sheehan, Lisa Camesano, Macy Tubman, Maren Rossman, Maria Farrah Howell, Marianne Votta, Meridith Welch, Michelle Welford, Pongha Smith, Shelagh Heurtebize, Terri Bancroft, Tracey Wolfsdorf, Tripti Thomas-Travers, Zlatev

An “edible arrangement” especially prepared for the Bigelow Middle School teacher and staff by a 7th grade parent