Inclusive Youth Rock Band Program

Plugged In is a unique nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Registration is open for both the spring and summer sessions.

Spring Session Registration (ages 7-19)
Spring session classes begin: February 2nd
Registration deadline: January 22nd
Information and online registration form: Plugged In

Plugged In Music That Matters Summer Day Camp (ages 11-18)
Session I dates: July 9th – 20th (maximum of 25 students per session)
Session II dates: July 23rd – August 3rd (maximum of 25 students per session)
Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (extended hours available)
Information and online registration form: Plugged In

Founded in 2002, Plugged In now has over 150 students from all over Massachusetts. Some students experience emotional and learning difficulties, such as ADD, depression, and low-self-esteem and/or have special needs such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. In the loving and non-competitive atmosphere at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

In addition to weekly ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year Plugged In students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world.

Last chance to complete the Wellesley Social Media Parent Survey

Wellesley College needs more parents to participate in the Social Media Parent Survey they are conducting to study social media behavior among middle schoolers. The survey should take 20-30 minutes to complete, and all respondents are entered into a raffle for Amazon gift cards. Plus, Wellesley College will give a $1 donation to the PTO for each parent who takes the survey.

Please, complete the survey by Friday, January 5, 2018.

The link to the survey is here.

Here is a link to the letter from them with more information about this parent survey.

Thanks for your help with this important project — Bigelow is eager to learn more about how best to help young people manage social media, and parent participation is key. More about the survey here.

 

Nursing notes: e-cigarettes

From Sue Schy, Bigelow School Nurse

They’re disguised to look like a permanent marker or a flash drive. They come in flavors like mango, vanilla cupcake, strawberry margarita and pina colada. They’re electronic cigarettes – also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-hookah, e-juice, e-smoke and more. Using them is vaping, “juuling,” or e-smoking.

We want students and families to have the information they need to talk about preventing and stopping this unhealthy behavior. A 2016 report from the U.S. Surgeon General says:

  • E-cigarettes contain harmful ingredients including nicotine, which can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain.
  • The effects of nicotine exposure during youth and young adulthood can be long-lasting and can include lower impulse control and mood disorders.
  • The nicotine in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can prime young brains for addiction to other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
  • Even e-cigarettes that don’t contain nicotine can be harmful because the vapor contains flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals.

In Newton, a city ordinance passed in 2014 prohibited use of e-cigarettes anywhere the state’s workplace smoking law applies – restaurants, businesses and schools. The ordinance also prohibits Newton retailers from selling flavored products, and requires individuals buying cigarettes and e-cigarettes to be at least 21 years old. We know young people sometimes get these products from older friends or family members, or order them online.

You may have seen or heard that the Newton high school principals sent a letter to families about e-cigarettes. If you missed it, it’s posted on the School Health website, along with other helpful information about talking with kids about e-cigarettes: www.newtonma.gov/schoolhealth

Information adapted from www.cdc.gov and e-cigarettes.Surgeongeneral.gov

Caregiver Support Group

The Caregiver Support Group, run by Newton’s Department of Senior Services, has the goal of providing participants with support including an opportunity to learn about resources and sharing ideas with people who are facing similar challenges.

So many residents are being pulled in multiple directions — with children in school while also caring for an aging parent. This is a great chance for parents to connect with others who are caring for an elderly family member.

Open to all family caregivers of seniors, the groups are free of charge. Support Groups take place at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street, Newtonville. Registration is required; space is limited to 14 people per group.

NEW Evening Option
2nd Wednesday Monthly (January 10th, February 14th, March 14th)
7:00 – 8:30 pm.

For information and to Register contact Case Manager Emily Kuhl at 617-796-1672.

Registration for Newton Little League Spring Season is now open

Registration for the 2018 Newton Little League Spring Season is now available on the league’s website: www.newtonllbaseball.org. Newton Little League serves players who reside within or attend private or public schools within the boundaries of Ward, Underwood, Lincoln-Eliot, Horace Mann, Peirce, Cabot, Burr, Franklin, Williams elementary schools, and provides programs for players ages 4 through 12.

Programs for younger players are based on school grade, and teams are put together based on elementary school and friend requests: T-Ball (Pre- K), Rookie (Kindergarten), Farm (grade 1) and Single A (grade 2). In the programs for older players, teams are put together with more of a focus on competitive balance: AA (grades 3-4), AAA (grades 4-6) and Majors (ages 10-12).

There is also a Challenger division for students with special needs who wish to enjoy the game of baseball. All players interested in playing in the 2018 AA or AAA divisions must attend an evaluation session and complete registration prior to the evaluation date. The AAA evaluations will be held on January 20th and the AA evaluations will be held on February 10th.

Please contact us at info@newtonllbaseball.org with any questions.

Big Night 2018: planning has started

Please consider participating in the planning of the Big Night, the Bigelow PTO’s biggest social and fundraising event of the year. We need all the help we can get from our amazing community to make our Big Night 2018 a big success!

The first planning committee meeting of 2018 will take place on Monday, January 8th.

We will be discussing ways parents can help and volunteer, how to get silent auction items donations, and food donations for the evening.

Please contact committee chairperson, Meredith Andrews, at meredithandrews13@gmail.com  or bigelowbulldog@gmail.com if you would like to be involved. Thank you in advance for your support of this event.

And be on the lookout in the new year for the Big Night 2018: Bigelow-on-the-Charles packet. This will have information about the fun night the planning committee is organizing for the Bigelow (adult) community. Included will be information about tickets, silent auction donations and more.

The PTO Board is very grateful to Meredith Andrews for chairing the event this year!

FREE Family Event: Christmas with NewCity Church

Join a FREE family event hosted by NewCity Church to celebrate the holiday season! Take FREE professional photos with Santa, enjoy interactive holiday music with Kara Kulpa from Jammin’ with You, a surprise appearance from a favorite Disney character, and purchase gifts for your loved ones from the pop-up gift shop featuring CAUSEGEAR – The Human Justice Brand.

December 17th, 5:30pm
Zervas Elementary School
30 Beethoven Avenue, Waban

Piano Accompanist needed for Newton Youth Players

The Newton Youth Players is a children’s theatre company for elementary school children who love to sing, dance, act, and construct scenery. Each fall, winter and spring season they produce adaptations of popular Broadway musicals that the whole family will enjoy.

The company is currently looking for a piano accompanist that can teach the music and lyrics to the children, and play for the performance. This is a paid position. Please visit www.newtonyouthplayers.com for information on the program and call 617-796-1540 for more information on the job.

Wednesdays, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton