Bigelow Bridge Club – 1st Meeting Monday, Sept 8

Would you like your son or daughter to learn a game that, studies have shown, will improve their academic performance?  And is also enjoyed by just about everyone who has learned the game?

If you answered “yes”, then talk to your son or daughter about joining the Bigelow Bridge Club.  This fall, Bigelow parent Jeff Lehman will be teaching participating students how to play the card game of bridge.  Math teacher extraordinaire Sue Mortimer will be the faculty advisor.

The first club meeting is Monday, September 8 from 2:50 pm to 3:50 pm.  Club meetings will continue each Monday that school is in session, for the duration of the school year.

Bridge is a game full of strategy and tactics.  It is part science, part math, part reason.  Bridge embodies cooperation, logic and problem-solving.  Bridge can be played in social or tournament settings, and also online.  In the past couple of years, youth bridge players representing Bigelow and other schools in New England have competed against each other at tournament venues in eastern Massachusetts and in New Hampshire.  This fall, youth bridge activities are scheduled for a national bridge tournament to be held in Providence, RI.

Oh, about that impact of learning bridge on academic performance?  Well, one study showed that young bridge players outscored their non-playing counterparts on standardized test scores by 39.31% in Science, 24.22% in Math, and 22.74% in Social Science.

The Bigelow Bridge Club lesson plans are designed just for youth.  No more than ten minutes of each club meeting will be spent on formal instruction.  The rest of the time will be spent doing what your children want most to do, play.  Although bridge is a game of infinite nuance and sophistication, it is also a game of very few rules.  As a result, your children will be playing bridge by the end of the first class!

Will your child enjoy learning bridge?  Well, listen to this video and you will hear how much fun other youth have learning to play bridge, even traveling to tournaments and winning scholarships.  http://www.youth4bridge.org/about/why_play_bridge_video.php

Please contact Jeff Lehman by phone at 617-332-2134 or by e-mail at Jeffrey.Lehman.MA@verizon.net with any questions.

Cross Country Meeting – Sept 11

A mandatory meeting for all students interested in running cross country will be held on Thursday September 11.  The meeting will be held after school in the library and important information & consent forms will be distributed.  All students including 6th graders are welcome to join.  No experience is required.  Please make sure your child attends the meeting if interested.  Please contact Patty Summa at Patty_Summa@newton.k12.ma.us with any questions.

NCE Fall Classes for Middle Schoolers

Looking for an affordable, conveniently located, after-school activity for your child? Newton Community Education is offering the following two classes for Middle Schoolers AT OAK HILL this fall:

Archery (Tuesdays, Grades 3 and up), and Yoga For Middle Schoolers (Thursdays, Grades 6-8).

More great courses for Middle Schoolers are available at other Newton school locations: Flag Football (Tuesdays @ Brown, Grades 5-8), Fencing for Middle Schoolers (Fridays @ Brown, Grades 6-8), Babysitting & Safety Training (Fridays @ NSHS, ages 11+), Pediatric First Aid & CPR (Fridays at NSHS, ages 11+), Self Defense Combat Sambo (Mondays/Wednesdays @ Franklin, ages K-8), Game Design (Wednesdays @ NNHS, Grades 6 & up), Speech Team (Mondays @ NSHS, Grades 6-8).

If you want to join in on the fun, sign-up for one of their single-meeting Family classes like Crab Catching Adventure (10/19), Cranberry Picking (10/5) or Glass Mosaic Jewelry (10/3). And, don’t forget th adult classes!

For a complete listing of all NCE fall classes, or to register, visit newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

Guitar Lessons In Your Home

Berklee College of Music graduate seeking a limited number of students for private/group guitar lessons. Lessons are offered in your home. All levels are welcome, including beginners. Through a comprehensive approach that combines technique, ear training and harmony,  your son or daughter will develop music skills applicable to all styles of guitar playing. S/he will learn to play and analyze songs and solos from a broad range of musical genres.

For references, video and audio samples, please contact Maldi Kellici at maldi.k@gmail.com or 617-792-2244.

Shacharit Education Program

The SHACHARIT K- 6 Education program at Temple Shalom in Newton is now welcoming new families this fall! Explore a living Judaism filled with opportunities for connection and hands-on Jewish learning. Go on a robotic exploration of Israel, explore Hebrew through movement, learn about Jewish values and “mensch munch” on environmentally sustainable snacks, explore your “dramatic” side while learning Jewish history, share in our spiritual and thoughtful family tefila (prayer) and so much more! Information can be found on the website: www.templeshalom.org or by contacting Temple Shalom and 617- 332-9550.

Bowen Cooperative Nursery School Open House

Open House on September 29th from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Applications will be accepted starting Tuesday morning, September 30th at 7:00 am. Bowen Coop in Newtonville is a small, warm, nurturing school that caters to children from 2.9 to 5 years of age. It is especially unique in that it has a Pre-K program designed especially for children who will not be attending kindergarten in the fall. The class sizes are small with the 3-day and 5-day group having a child/teacher ratio of 5:1. The school itself has a great facility with it’s own playground and kitchen. It is also nut-free with an allergy aware environment.

Please contact Director, Nina Tebaldi at 617- 332-3923 or you can always visit http://www.bowencoop.org for more information.

Upcoming teen programs @ the Newton Free Library

Teen Crafternoons, September 2nd and 16th, 3:30 pm, second floor Teen Area: Get creative! Join in and hang out working on crafts and eating snacks. Grades 6-12.

SAT Prep: Verbal & Essay Writing,  September 3rd, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: High School sophomores, juniors and seniors, SAT essay writing is a critical part of your SAT score. However, the writing is very different from the type of essays you write for school. It’s easy to excel if you are well prepared. Please join David Berlove, Ph.D. Neurobiologist and founder of Excellence-tutoring.com, for an interactive discussion on the challenges of the SAT verbal section and writing test, with a focus on the specific skills needed for effective SAT essay writing. Come and learn from a professional SAT tutor what to write and how to write it and achieve your dream score!

Get Hooked: Knitting and Crochet Club, September 4th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area: Join the ongoing Knitting and Crochet Club. They’ll have crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn and the know-how to teach the basics of crocheting. Or, bring your own project. Refreshments will be served. Open to ages 10 and up.

Mini-Comics Workshop, September 10th, 4:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Join a workshop where you get to create mini-comics! Led by comic artist Dan Moynihan. Open to ages 10-18. Registration required.

SAT Math Prep, September 17th, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: High School sophomores, juniors and seniors, the SAT is coming, and with it, a math section designed to confound you. Learn how to sidestep the confusion and achieve success! Join David Berlove, a professional SAT tutor, Ph.D. Neurobiologist and founder of Excellence-tutoring.com. You’ll learn tips and tricks that will help you master the math and achieve your best possible score. We’ll discuss some tough problems and find ways of making them easier and more approachable.

College Essay Writing Workshop, September 20th, 11:00 am, Druker Auditorium: Students, whether you accomplished a lot on your college essay over the summer or you’re still trying to decide what to write about when school begins next fall, this workshop is for you. Students will work in small groups with others who are at the same writing stage, and will be led by professional tutors and teachers. You’ll also get an opportunity for individual help and feedback. Online registration begins August 1. This is a free workshop offered to students. Please bring at least 5 copies of your essay draft if you have one.

Questions? Email Liz the Teen Librarian at teens@newtonfreelibrary.net or call the Newton Free Library at 617-796-1360. All programs are free and open to the public, parking is free.

Newton Community Farm Fall Education Programs

The fall educational programs at Newton Community Farm are now open for registration.

Join the final gardening class of the year or choose from a number of cooking and home brewing classes. For families, the popular Fall Farm Sprout program returns, this year running through to December and if you have a budding chef in your midst, why not join them for Kids Farm Cooking?

For more information and to register please visit the website at www.newtoncommunityfarm.org/education

Boys & Girls Club after-school programs open soon

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton is now accepting 2014-2015 membership applications. Membership offers affordable, enriching, and fun after-school programs for young people ages 6-18.

The club will be open for members on the first day of school on Tuesday, September 2nd. As a special treat, Fresh City will be donating healthy snacks for Club members to enjoy – a great, fresh start for the school year!

Open for walk-in registrations or take care of your registration online. It is quick, easy, and you can pay using any major credit card. Register online today at: www.newtonbgc.com.

There are plenty of programs and benefits for Club members:

  • A safe place to go after every school day;
  • 20,000 square foot facility with a computer lab, dance studio, commercial kitchen, gymnasium, and more!;
  • Over 100 program offerings in education, character and leadership, creative arts, sports, fitness and recreation, health and life skills, and Teen Programming that change with each season;
  • Programs offered without additional fees, wait lists, or competitive try-outs;
  • Great role models and mentors of all ages;
  • Affordable care on most school holidays and vacations.

Since there is no extra cost for additional family members under our General Family Membership plan, please consider adding all of the children in your family to your membership regardless of whether or not you know they plan to attend the Club.

Newton Community Preservation Committee – Public Hearing

Newton Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing on Funding Guidelines to solicit suggestions for revising its current grant guidelines. Suggestions will also be accepted in writing until October 16th. For assistance contact Alice E. Ingerson, Community Preservation Program Manager, at aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144.

September 11th at 7:00 pm in City Hall Room 209