Get Hands On at the BU CityLab Science Program

Gann Academy in Waltham is excited to once again host the Boston University School of Medicine CityLab Biotechnology summer program. This program provides an opportunity for students to develop a deeper understanding of basic techniques and concepts related to DNA science. While working in teams, the students assume the role of a biotechnology company and work together to design and carry out an investigation to solve problems in biotechnology.

New this summer is the Solving Science Mysteries program designed for rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders. Students will solve problems by applying the same techniques and concepts of genetics and molecular biology used in modern research laboratories. Students will solve a crime scene mystery, test for genetic disorders and much more.

For more information, visit http://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb4bec1e3173c650acfd51ab0/files/MS_SL_at_Gann.pdf
or http://www.bumc.bu.edu/citylab/summerlab/curriculum/

ZooCamp Summer Registration Open

Give your child an incredible experience at ZooCamp this summer. Campers at ZooCamp learn about a new theme every day through hands-on-activities designed to engage youth and get them excited about the natural world. At ZooCamp they will meet animals up close, tour behind the scenes, make new friends, and grow all under the leadership of our diverse, enthusiastic, caring staff. Ages 5-11.

For more information and to register  www.campfireusa-emass.org or call 617-745-4150.

Math Summer

Summer is a great time to catch up, keep up and get ahead in Math.

Mathnasium Learning Center in Newton Highlands offers individualized math summer programs in a fun, relaxing environment. Schedule your math tutoring sessions vacations and camps. Save $50 when you register by May 31st.

Visit  www.mathsummer.com or call for Free Trial 617-340-3665.

“Frozen” Fundraiser

Looking for a great way to combat this endless winter? In preparation for the Best Buddies Challenge, Team Believe, which includes students from Angier, Brown and South, has organized a special showing of FROZEN at the West Newton Cinema.

For $10.00, you can enjoy the movie with friends, a drink and popcorn. Additional donations are welcome and encouraged! Click here to learn more about Best Buddies or click here to make a donation to Team Believe. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Meda Barnes at medabarnes@gmail.com.

Frozen screening
Tuesday, April 15th at 3:00 pm

CREATED EQUAL: The Civil Rights Movement Then and Now

Tuesday, April 8th, 7:00 pm
Film Screening — Freedom Riders
The Freedom Rides of 1961 were a pivotal moment in the long Civil Rights struggle that redefined America. Based on Raymond Arsenault’s recent book, this documentary film offers an inside look at the brave band of activists who challenged segregation in the Deep South. At the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue. Free.

Thursday, April 17th, 7:00 pm
Panel Discussion — Civil Rights Activism Past and Present
Activism took many forms in the sixties, as it does today. Hear stories of people who fought for equality then – from Freedom Riders to local residents – and their discussion about the successes and failures of the Civil Rights movement. Join in the discussion with your own stories and thoughts about how we can apply these lessons to the present and future. Panelists include Paul Breines (Freedom Rider), Katherine Butler Jones (METCO founder and director), and Walter Carrington (Commissioner 1957-1961, MA Commission Against Discrimination). At the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut St. Free.

Wednesday, April 30th, 7:00 pm
Lecture — The New Black
Harvard Law Professor Kenneth Mack will speak from his latest book, entitled The New Black: What Has Changed – and What Has Not – With Race in America, which reexamines the familiar framework of the Civil Rights movement and challenges our understandings of the politics of race, racial identity and race-based inequality in a new century. Ranging from the challenges of contemporary civil rights organizing strategies, to immigration, to racial profiling, to the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, he will attempt to sketch for us the new boundaries of the debate over race in America. At the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut St. Free.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Friday, and Noon to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. The Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday through Friday, and Noon to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.historicnewton.org for more information about  museums and programs.

Bike Donations Wanted:

Do you have an unused bike in your garage? Please consider how much it could benefit someone in a developing country. Get rid of clutter, keep trash out of landfills, and make a difference by donating a used bike to Bikes Not Bombs.

Bring bikes of any size or condition to the First Unitarian Church in West Newton, 1326 Washington St., on April 27th between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm along with a $10 donation per bike. For more information see https://bikesnotbombs.org/bike-drive/520.

Registration is still open for the Heartbreak Hill Road Race

One mile, up and down famed Heartbreak Hill. For runners ages 8 – 90. Runners compete in their own age and gender groups. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies for each race. Every runner gets a race medallion, goody bag, seedling tree, free pasta/pizza party ticket, and an official digital clock time.

The first 500 registrants receive a free t-shirt. Come to the pasta/pizza party dinner on Friday, April 18th at 5:30 pm at Newton City Hall – free for all registrants, just $3 for guests.

Not a runner? Join in the family walk at 3:00 pm and walk the course with your family, friends and neighbors. It’s fun! More information and registration at www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

Saturday April 19th, Noon – 3:00 pm
Newton City Hall

Technology Speaker: Free Event

The Futures of Learning in a Networked World is a free event to be held at Mason Rice School on April 9th.  Digital technologies are transforming civic life and the working world, and they are reshaping the skills and dispositions that young people need to thrive. How should schools adapt to a changing world, and what practices should be held constant as the world changes?

Understanding the answers to these questions requires understanding how computing technologies are rearranging the kinds of work that people do, and the new possibilities for learning created by new technologies. Join in a conversation through this terrain with Justin Reich, Fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the co-founder of EdTechTeacher.

Justin is a co-author of Best Ideas for Teaching with Technology: A Practical Guide for Teachers by Teachers, and his academic work has been published in Educational Researcher, Social Education, Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, and other venues.  His website is www.edtechresearcher.com and his bio is can be seen here https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/jreich

Wednesday April 9th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Event co-sponsored by Cabot PTO, Mason-Rice PTO, and the PTO Council

Mindfulness in Education

Newton Community Ed & Newton Public Schools sponsor: Mindfulness in Education

Newton Community Ed’s spring Mindfulness series should be of special interest to parents in the Newton community. It is running in partnership with the Newton Public Schools, and focuses on the growing field of Mindfulness in education. Mindfulness has been introduced in K-12 school systems nationwide; it has been shown to enhance motivation and focus, and to improve emotional and educational outcomes for students.

Hear from experts in the field and explore the research, uses, and results of this practice. Sessions run on Thursdays May 1th, 8th, & 15th at Newton South High School from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The cost for individual talks is $35, with a discounted series price of $90. Call NCE at 617-559-6999 or visit www.newtoncommunityed.org for more information or to register.

The Highlands After-School Program

Enrollment Deadline: APRIL 15th (for the 2014-15 school year)
OPEN HOUSE – Saturday, APRIL 12th from 5:00-6:00 p m

The Highlands After-School Program – just for middle school kids, serves children attending Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools. It’s different than other programs because it’s geared to meet the needs and likes of middle school kids. It has a home base at Brigham House in Newton Highlands, with regular access to the Hyde Community Gym and other wonderful resources in the Newton Highlands area. Transportation is arranged from the middle schools daily.

The program is open from school dismissal time until 6:00 pm and offers special programs on early release days. 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 check www.highlandsafterschool.org