Let’s Get Organized workshop for families of special ed children

Come to a special workshop called Let’s Get Organized, where experts from Family Ties of Massachusetts will present on how to organize all of the paperwork and materials that come with being a special ed parent, and will provide concrete written materials to expand our organizational skills. Participants will take home a three-ring binder, organizational supplies, and lots of ideas on ways to bring order to the mountains of paperwork that relates to their child’s medical and educational needs.

If you’d like to come, please RSVP to may13organization@gmail.com. When RSVP’ing, indicate if you would like the materials in a language other than English. Materials for this workshop are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, and Vietnamese. For questions, please email Eileen.sandberg.newtonpac@gmail.com.

May 13th, 7:30 pm (networking starting at 7:15)
Room 210, Education Center, 100 Walnut Street.

Part time nanny needed

A professional couple with a 4 year old child in Newton seeks a part-time nanny to work on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and on Tuesday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The ideal candidate should someone with SPEd background (aide, BT, ST, etc). Must be able to drive and maintain a clean driving record. Pay is commensurate with education background and experiences ($20-$30 per hour). To express interest or for any questions, please email helenh986@gmail.com.

Donate your change to help preserve the Newton Civil War Monument!

The Soldiers’ Monument to Newton’s fallen sons stands in Newton Cemetery and turns 150 years old this year. A coin drive by Newton’s school children in 1863 helped fund construction of the monument, which was dedicated in July 1864 before the war was over. The Monument was restored last fall and paid for with Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. A coin drive this year will start a maintenance fund for the upkeep of the Memorial.

We need YOU to adopt a coin bucket for your school! Please contact Katy Hax Holmes at (617) 796-1143 or kholmes@newtonma.gov and we can get you started. This coin drive would start May 5th and last about one week.

Please join us on May 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm in Newton Cemetery to honor Newton’s Civil War sons, husbands, brothers, and friends. And see how far spare change can go when we work together to remember the youth of Newton who gave “the last full measure of their devotion.”

Dragon Boat team for Cancer survivors and caregivers

The Wellness Warriors Dragon Boat Team is holding New Paddler Orientations. Exercise and support groups are so important in the fight against Cancer. The Wellness Warriors Dragon Boat Team combines both in a way that is fun and exciting. They practice from May through August on the Charles River in Cambridge as well as competing in races around New England.  They share the common bond of being Cancer survivors and caregivers,  a floating support group that is truly unique.  Awaken your own dragon and feel the power of pushing yourself in ways you never thought you could! The rewards are great. To learn more about the Wellness Warriors, visit www.wellnesswarriorsboston.org.

The Sunday School for Jewish Studies Open Enrollment

Once a week Hebrew School for Grades 1 – 7 and once a month Pre-K / Kindergarten class and free family toddler program.

The Sunday School for Jewish Studies is now accepting registrations for the 2014-15 school year. They are an independent school, located at the Oak Hill Middle School in Newton, which provides a Jewish education for children and families with diverse traditions of Jewish observance. Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is available but not required, and students may enter in any grade. Interfaith and nontraditional families are welcome. For additional information, please visit the website at www.SundaySchoolforJewishStudies.org or call 617.264.8855.

Highlands After-School Program

The Highlands After-School Program is enrolling now for the 2014-15 school year –
just for middle school kids, serves children attending Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools.

Activities include sports, arts, cooking, science, homework, field trips, community service and team building. It’s a place to go and hang with friends, enjoy activities, and get a head start on homework. For more information contact Rochelle Acker at 617.999.4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit the website: www.highlandsafterschool.org

 

The Newton Ligerbots are going to the World Championships

The Newton Ligerbots are going to the World Championships, but need your financial support.

The LigerBots are the joint robotics team of Newton North and South High Schools, which competes in the FIRST FRC competition. The team has had a great season this year. They won the District competition at Worchester Polytechnic, and came in second at the Northeastern competition. This earned them a spot at the New England Championships at Boston University. On Monday, after the BU event, they were invited to go to the World Championships in St. Louis on April 23-26 (less than 1 week away).

However, this is the best the team has ever done and the additional expense of going to St. Louis was quite unexpected. The LigerBots have received a number of supplemental grants from our generous sponsors, but there is still a very large shortfall. The team families are ready to pay substantial amounts to make this happen, but not everyone can afford it. The team has members from all parts of Newton and all income levels.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the LigerBots to help offset the cost of the trip. You can donate online at http://ligerbots.org/support/ . Alternately, you can send a check to the Newton Schools Foundation http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/support/support-donate.html and please be sure to write “LigerBots Championship” on the check memo so that the money is earmarked for the LigerBots.

If you want to learn more about the team, the web site is http://ligerbots.org
You can see videos of many of the LigerBots’ recent matches on the home page. The LigerBots are Team 2877.

Thanks for any support you can provide.

Support 2009 South Grad and NPS Employee Jason Agress’s Boston Marathon Run for NSF

Jason Agress, 2009 Newton South graduate is running the Boston Marathon to support NSF.

Newton Public Schools truly made a difference for Jason Agress. An alumnus of Memorial-Spaulding, Oak Hill, and Newton South (Class of 2009), his experiences as a student in Newton helped him to discover and pursue his passions, as well as gain the skills needed to succeed.

Now Jason is connected to NPS in his role as a Network Media Specialist for the district. Through his work, Jason has gained a deep appreciation for the excellent resources – including dedicated faculty and staff – that Newton is home to, and which provided for his own first-rate public school experience. No stranger to marathon training, Jason has worked with the Dreamfar High School Marathon program for the past three years as a mentor and Team Leader at Newton South.

“Through training for the marathon, it is gratifying to help Newton students experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving a huge goal and learning important life lessons in the process.” says Jason.

Come out on Monday, April 21st at Heartbreak Hill and to cheer on Jason! A group of supporters will be on the Commonwealth Ave. berm between Sumner St. and Chestnut Terrace. Follow Jason’s Progress at http://boston2014.jasonagress.com.

April Vacation Week Programs for Teens

April Vacation Week Programs for Teens @ the Newton Free Library

Saving Mr. Banks Movie Screening
Teens are invited to watch Saving Mr. Banks on Tuesday, April 22nd at 3:00 pm. The film tells the story of how P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins, half-heartedly meet with Walt Disney who wanted to adapt her book for the big screen. Rated PG-13, runtime 125 min. Open to ages 13 and up.

Rockets: There and Back Again
Create an air rocket that launches across the room, and engineer a way for a payload to return safely to Earth. Join a hands-on workshop at the Newton Free Library in Druker Auditorium on Thursday, April 24th at 2:00 pm that explores the science behind rockets and space exploration. Use your imagination to plan, build, and test your own design. Please be advised that this workshop uses latex balloons. Presented by the Museum of Science and open to grades 6-12. Space is limited, register (required) at http://newtonfreelibrary.net/steam/.

Thor: The Dark World Movie Screening
Teens are invited to watch a screening of Thor: The Dark World on Friday, April 25th at 3:00 pm. Thor returns to do battle in this big-budget comic-book adventure. Rated PG-13, runtime 112 min. Open to ages 13 and up.

Mini-Creator Faire
On April 26th from 1:00-4:00 pm, the Newton Free Library will be hosting a mini-Creator Faire in Druker Auditorium to kick off the unveiling of the new MakerBot 3D printer to the community and begin a year of programming for all ages related to the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) initiative from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.

The Faire is a gathering of tech enthusiasts, traditional crafters, artists, musicians, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers and students. It is a place for creators to show their work and interact with members of the community. Come experience a fun, interactive afternoon at the library, and get involved in the rebirth of Do-It-Yourself. Meet the Makers: http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/steam/mini_faire.php

Magic and Music at Boston’s Symphony Hall

“Bon Voyage”, a special concert for families of all ages featuring music and magic from around the world. The concert features Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s talented young musicians and “Matt the Magician”.

See objects magically appear, pass through each other, and transform before your very eyes, while your ears enjoy the talents of over 100 amazing young musicians. You even get a chance to conduct the orchestra right from your seat!

Adults: $20.00, Kids under 18 years old are free (limit 4 per family. To get free kids tickets, phone SymphonyCharge 888-266-1200.) For regular tickets, please purchase here: http://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/56084/?utm_source=Bon+Voyage+evite+4.15.14&utm_campaign=Bon+Voyage+evite&utm_medium=email

Saturday, April 26th, 12:00 Noon
Symphony Hall