Help Needed to Assemble School Kidz – August 19th

Hello Bigelow friends,

If you are in town on Monday, August 19 and have some time to spare, we could really use your help. Pre-ordered SchoolKidz will be arriving soon and volunteers are needed to assemble the kits. Whether your schedule allows for you to stop by for 30 minutes or a couple of hours, your help would be much appreciated. Alicia Herbert will have everything set up in the Bigelow cafeteria at 10:00 a.m. and plans to finish around noon. Please call or text Alicia at 857-417-2860 to volunteer. (Thank you, Alicia, for taking on this task!)

Thank you and we hope you are having a fabulous summer!

Regards,

Julie Bourgoin and Carolyn Judge

Bigelow PTO Co-Presidents

Audition & Registration info for Watertown Children’s Theatre fall programs & shows

Registration for the Watertown Children’s Theatre’s programs has begun. Spaces fill early so act soon.

Auditions for fall plays will be held in September. Be sure to check the calendar for mandatory pre-audition information sessions.

Details on the fall programs for grades 1-12 are on the WCT’s website.

June/July Events with Historic Newton & Jackson Homestead

Summer offerings by Historic Newton include:

Thursday, June 27, 7:30 PM
HISTORY BOOK CLUB

In this month’s book selection, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, noted historian Gordon Wood debunks the mythology of Franklin as the quintessential American. In his marvelous and readable book, Wood shows how complex and contradictory Franklin’s life was: his preoccupation with becoming a gentleman; his longtime loyalty to the Crown; the personal character of his conversion to revolutionary; and his controversies with John and Sam Adams and with Congress. The book is a magnificent fresh version of Franklin’s life and reputation, filled with insights into the Revolution and into the emergence of America’s idea of itself. The book club is free and open to all, new members are welcome.

Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7, noon-5:00 PM
NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND
Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum. Celebrate the birth of our nation by re-visiting Newton’s revolutionary past in our “Newton History Gallery” and “Mapping a New Town” exhibitions.

Sunday, July 14, 2:00 PM
HISTORIC NEWTON WALKS
Crystal Lake: Resource to Recreation
From skating in winter to swimming in summer, Crystal Lake has been an important community resource for outdoor recreation. Did you know that it also provided much of the ice that kept local resident’s food cold before the refrigerator? Join local resident Lucy Caldwell Stair to hear some of the stories behind this beloved community resource, and add your own. Meet in grassy lot adjacent to the Crystal Lake bathhouse parking lot on Rogers Street. Free.

Sunday, July 28, 2:00 PM
HISTORIC NEWTON WALKS
Voices of Newtonville: A Village History
Explore the history of Newtonville from its rural beginnings, through its suburban development as a railroad stop, to the changes brought by the construction of the Mass Pike. Join Harvard graduate student and Historic Newton intern Tracy Lindboe as she leads us through the development of Newtonville using historic perspectives and narratives from past Newtonville residents. Meet at the Newton North High School Parking Lot at Elm Road and Walnut Street. Free.

In addition, current exhibitions include:

Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists.

An Architect Ahead of Her Time: Annie Cobb (1830-1911): Arguably the first woman architect in America, Cobb succeeded in fashioning a career for herself in the male world of building in a time when women’s work was mainly limited to the home.

Newton and the Civil War: showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Also be sure to visit our new Women’s Fashions of the Civil War Era exhibit.

Volunteer with Newton’s Child Assault Prevention team

Help keep Newton children SAFE, STRONG & FREE by volunteering with the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program. Training for Volunteer Prevention Specialists for the 2013-2014 school year begins the week of October 20 — mark your calendar now.

The CAP Program relies on trained volunteers to teach elementary students simple strategies to reduce their vulnerability to verbal, physical and sexual assault. Volunteers work in teams, led by an experienced team captain. Training is provided. This year’s training begins the week of October 20. Volunteer commitment is 4-6 hours per month, for one school year. 16 Continuing Education Credits available for MSW.

For more information and to set up a screening interview please contact Gail Sommer, Director, by phone (617.969.5906 x 143) or by email. Visit the CAP website for more information.

Register for Golf Tourney to Support John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club

Registration is open for the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton’s 30th Annual Golf Tournament at Brae Burn Country Club on Monday, July 29.

Enjoy lunch, access to the driving range, and a great day of golf. This tournament is play your own ball, and there will be prizes for low net, longest drive and closest to the pin. The evening reception will offer heavy hor d’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine, with a live auction, raffles and more!

Date: Monday, July 29, 2013
Time: 10:30am Registration & Lunch | 12:00pm Tee Off | 5:30pm Reception
Location: Brae Burn Country Club, 326 Fuller Street, West Newton
Cost: $300/player (on or before June 1) ~ OR ~ $325/player (on or after June 2)

Celebrity players scheduled to participate include Dave Cowens and Tim Sweeney. Celebrities for Charity will donate some exciting live auction items, including tickets to join Ray Bourque in his personal suite. Auction and raffle prizes include a men’s Victorinox Swiss Army watch, autographed Gronkowski jersey, and Coach leather pocket swing pack.

Ice Cream Party & Teen Summer Kick-off at Library, June 27

Celebrate the beginning of summer and the end of the school year with free ice cream! We’ll be eating ice cream, donated by J.P. Licks, and handing out information on how to join the library’s Teen Summer Reading program.

Thursday, June 27, 3-4:30 pm
Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium

Find out about how to log your reading online and ways you can win prizes (like gift certificates to the Town Diner, Whole Foods, Lees Burgers, etc.) throughout the summer just for reading! This year’s theme is, “Beneath the Surface.” Come early before it melts!

Bigelow’s One School, One Book

Bigelow’s One School, One Book

This summer all Bigelow students and staff will read the same book as part of Bigelow’s One School, One Book Program. The book chosen for this summer is Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen. During the fall staff and students will spend time together in small community groups discussing the book and participating in activities that address the major themes of the novel. Click here to learn a little bit more about flipped and the One School, One Book Program

Language Arts Summer Reading Assignments

Flipped is also the book all Bigelow students will read for their summer language arts reading assignment. Language Arts teachers from all three levels have prepared a summer writing assignment to accompany the book. Families can find out information about the grade level summer writing assignment that accompanies the book on the Bigelow Library page. In addition to Flipped, students are encouraged to explore other titles for their summer reading. A list of suggested titles from many genres can be on the summer reading list posted on the Bigelow Library page.

July 4th Celebration in Newton

Kids Morning: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace

Free event for children ages 3 – 12 years. Children and families are invited to join in the Grande Pet Parade, Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Teddy Bear Parade and Foot Races. Free ice cream, candy and drinks complete the morning celebration – courtesy of Cabot’s Ice Cream and Trader Joe’s.

Afternoon/Evening Events: 12:00 Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Albemarle Field

The fun continues with kiddie amusement rides (starting at 1:00 p.m.), craft vendor booths, food vendor booths, face painting and other childrens’ activities. There is free music and dancing all day: from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Gazebo, and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on the Main Stage.

At 9:00 p.m. don’t miss the grand finale…a fantastic fireworks display! Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org for details.

Register for Summer Camps at Newton Boys & Girls Club

Registration is open for the Newton Boys & Girls Club’s summer camps — for 6-12 year olds and Leadership Camp for teens ages 13-14.

Session 1: June 27th – July 3rd Regular Camp is now $210 and Ext. Camp is $250 **Pricing for session 1 is now discounted due to the late school release date.**
Session 2: July 8th – July 19th Regula Camp is $410 and Ext. Camp is $500
Session 3: July 22nd – Aug 2nd
Session 4: Aug 5th – Aug 16th

The goal of our camp is to provide opportunities for children to explore their creative and athletic potential while cultivating friendships and sharing new experiences with their peers. We believe we have achieved the perfect balance of free play, structured play, small and large group activity. We go swimming every day, we take full day field trips every Tuesday and Thursday, and we are always outside and on the move.

MULTI SESSION DISCOUNTS:
$50 Discount if you sign up for 2 Sessions!
$100 Discount if you sign up for 3 Sessions!
$200 Discount if you sign up for all 4 Sessions!

To inquire about Leadership Camp for 13 & 14 year olds, contact Joli Anza via email.

Understanding the College Admission Process, June 17

Parents and teens are invited to “Understanding the College Admission Process,” given by Lanita Foley, a certified educational planner and independent educational consultant with 15 years of experience in college admission and counseling at Stanford University and Phillips Academy.

Monday, June 17, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Newton Free Library in the Druker Auditorium

This FREE session will focus on the details and timeline of the application process, how to navigate financial aid requirements, and how parents and teens can collaborate on getting into the best school possible. Parents and teens are welcome.