CAS Global Music Concert and Reception

Newton’s Creative Arts & Sciences presents an evening with Crocodile River Music. Come celebrate the global music experience that students in our NPS enjoyed this fall. Crocodile River Music brings the music of Mali, Brazil, Spain and Trinidad, and the instruments and dances that celebrate these cultures, to Newton. Join musicians from Mali to Boston for an evening of world class entertainment in your own backyard. Complimentary wine, beer, and light fare round out what is certain to be a fabulous event for a 21+ audience.

Vinodivino is supporting CAS efforts by providing a wine and beer tasting at the event. For every order taken on April 8th, and through to the end of the month, Vinodivino will donate 10% of sales to CAS.

In addition, Issa Coulibaly, is offering a one-hour drumming lesson for 10 – valued at $150 – in your home. Raffle tickets are $10 each or $25 for 3 tickets. Plan a cocktail party with drumming on the side, or a drumming party with cocktails on the side or a drumming party and wine tasting with the wine purchased at Vinodivino!

Click here to purchase tickets to the event and raffle tickets.

April 8th, 7:00 pm
Newton South High School

Think Peace Benefit: “Preventing Teen Dating Violence”

Lasell College will host a benefit for the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund with guest speaker Attorney General Maura Healey. The afternoon will also feature youth dance troupe Phunk Phenomenon, Lincoln Sudbury and Euphonic a capella group from Newton South, refreshments, and a resource tables.

This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited so registration is required: www.lasellalumni.org/ThinkPeaceBenefit.

April 10th,  3:00 pm
DeWitt Hall, 80 Maple Street, Newton

Affordable SAT and Math Private Tutoring!

Has your child been struggling to score well on the SAT, and it seems like their score just can’t go any higher? Winston Tutors is your solution. Founded by a current Newton South senior who has developed a unique approach to tackle the SAT, Winston Tutors promises RESULTS with a competitive price.

Students who have initially struggled with the SAT have seen their score increase by 300 points from just a few sessions with Winston. With over two years of experience helping high school students perform to their full potential, Winston Tutors will guide your child to success through an individualized study plan.

For inquiries, please contact Winston Jiang at 617-309-7910 or at wtjiang7788@yahoo.com. References from past students are available upon request.

Annual Student Faculty Basketball Game – TOMORROW

MARCH MADNESS IS COMING TO BIGELOW!!  The Annual Faculty/Student Basketball Game will be held after school Thursday – March 24, 3pm.

  • Spectators – All Bigelow Students, Parents and Faculty.
  • Bring your appetites – The 8th grade scholarship / year end activities committee will be selling pizza and drinks to keep the crowd going.  All proceeds will support 8th grade year-end activities.

We need a few 8th grade parents to help with the pizza  / drink sales, starting at 2:30.  Please email us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.

Help fund Newton student scholarships, come to the GELF Dinner

Please extend your support for the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF)’s annual benefit dinner. For those of you who don’t know about the GELF, it’s a fantastic scholarship program that supports Newton students in taking advantage of international opportunities. Most of these students come from low-income families and wouldn’t otherwise be able to take advantage of the many extraordinary global learning programs offered through Newton North and South.

Students who return from abroad speak often about the pivotal role these experiences have played in their personal and academic lives. Please help GELF continue to convince our students that no one should tune out when international learning opportunities are announced!

On Saturday, April 2nd, GELF will hold its annual dinner/fundraiser from 6:30 – 10:30 pm at Newton North High School. The evening is a not-to-be-missed community event, featuring an amazing 5-course gourmet meal (cooked from scratch on-site!!), paired fine beers & wines (featuring Sam Adams beer pairings, a major hit last year!), dancing (with a great live band featuring our own Katani Sumner), 150 like-minded community members, table service by Newton administrators, and a live auction.

This year alone they have funded:
nearly $38,000 in grants to
20 students for
8 different international trips

You may pay online here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289 (scroll down to the bottom for the PayPal button) or send a $150/person check (made payable to Newton Schools Foundation with GELF in the memo line) to Newton Schools Foundation, ATTN: Diane Greer, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

Whether you are coming or not, please consider donating to Support a Teacher to attend the event ($100/person) or making a tax-deductible donation, all possible here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289. Thank you for your support.

3rd Community Forum on High School Start Time

3rd Community Forum on High School Start Time: Especially for Middle and Elementary Parents

Join the Brown and Oak Hill PTOs and the Newton South School Council to explore the research on teen sleep and starting high school later. We hope to continue the community conversation around the the impact of inadequate sleep on our teens and welcome middle and elementary parents to the discussion.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Christopher Landrigan, Director of the Sleep and Patient Safety Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Research Director of Inpatient Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Landrigan is also a Brown and South parent; he was the featured speaker at January’s High School Start Time Forum at Newton North. Catch up on the research and join the conversation—we look forward to seeing you there.

More information and resources on adolescent sleep and later start time on South School Council webpage.

April 6th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Brown Middle School Auditorium

Your March Donation Will be Matched!

Help Our Schools Close the Achievement Gap in Math—Your March Donation Will be Matched!

An anonymous donor has generously agreed to match up to $25,000 in donations to the Newton Schools Foundation during the month of March to support the Calculus Project! The Calculus Project is an ambitious effort to narrow the achievement gap in mathematics in Newton’s middle and high schools by increasing the number of African American, Hispanic and low-income students who enroll in and successfully complete higher level math in high school.

With just close to $9,000 in donations, they are 1/3 of the way to meeting the goal with just over two weeks left. Help NSF reach $25,000 to get the full match and have a profound impact on narrowing the achievement gap in our schools.

Please click here and Donate today!

Research indicates that success in higher-level high school mathematics is strongly associated with college enrollment and is the strongest predictor of college completion. Students participating in the Calculus Project attend intensive, small group summer classes and enrichment activities, meet regularly with mentors, and receive weekly after-school tutoring. The Calculus Project also uses the Pride Curriculum, designed to shift self-perceptions about academic accomplishment as students gain skills and competence.

Students enter the Calculus Project as rising 7th graders and continue through high school to graduation. Currently 95 students have participated since the program’s 2013 launch, and that number continues to grow.

The Calculus Project costs more than $100,000 per year, and the cost will continue to increase as the program expands. While the cost is partially covered by the Newton Public Schools operating budget, the school department relies on NSF to help support the expenses of tutoring, the summer program, enrichment activities and modest program supplies.

Make your gift count twice when you donate to Newton Schools Foundation during the March match challenge. Every donation, large or small, counts!

Save the Date: Mayor’s 1st Annual Community Discussion on Newton as a Welcoming City For All

Help us ensure that Newton is open to people of all races/ethnicities, religions, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

On Thursday evening, April 7th, Mayor Warren will host the first annual community discussion focused on ensuring that Newton is a welcoming community to people of all backgrounds. The forum will include leaders from our community and beyond. This will be an opportunity for residents of all ages to ask questions, and join us in making Newton the most inclusive community it can be.

The discussion will be held in the War Memorial of Newton City Hall, located at 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30 pm.

Free Performance for Kids – Bonaparte

Bonaparte’s dazzling, interactive style of magic has captured the hearts and provoked the laughter of thousands of children and adults around the world. His award-winning family magic show features astounding magic, hilarious comedy, oodles of audience participation and the dramatic appearance of his adorable furry and feathered friends – ‘Whiskers’ the Bunny and ‘Snow’ the beautiful fluttering, white dove.

For information, please visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

March 26th, 2:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center, City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk

It already feels like Spring outside, so it’s time to start dusting off those running (or walking) shoes! The 24th annual Heartbreak Hill Road Race and Family Walk is a perfect way to shake off some of that cabin fever! Every runner receives an official digital-clock time, a race medallion, goody bag and a free ticket to the pre-race pasta party at Newton City Hall on April 16th. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place runners in each category win a trophy. The first 500 registrations receive a free t-shirt.

There are free activities for kids organized by the Lasell College Special Events students. Not a runner? Everyone can walk the course at 11:30. Register at www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

Sunday, April 17th, Newton City Hall