Summer theater opportunities with Newton Youth Players

There are still a few spots open for the Newton Youth Players’ summer production of “Oliver!”. Newton Youth Players is a wildly popular theatre program for elementary school children that boasts filled registration one year in advance for its school year programs. The summer play is especially delightful because of the extra time that can be spent on the preparation.

Rehearsals are from 9am – noon, giving ample time to work on choreography, scenery and props production. The first rehearsal will take place on June 27 th at Newton City Hall in the War Memorial Auditorium. Subsequent rehearsals and performance will be at Franklin Elementary School, 125 Derby Street in Newton. The performance is July 17th. Please register at the NYP website.

For those looking for a full day of theatrical experience, Newton Youth Players offers a companion afternoon program, “Choices,” from 1pm – 3pm, June 27th – July 11th. Directed by Marlene Fereshetian and Ruth Housman, it is an original story-building program, using music, humor, magic, dance and art. This program will spend its opening day at Newton City Hall, and then continue to Franklin School. Registration and more information is on the NYP website. 

Do you have a video camera you no longer use?

Do you find yourself using only your smartphone for pictures or videos? If you have a working handheld video camera that you never use anymore, please consider donating it to the Bigelow411 program.  The students will be extremely grateful!!

Not sure what the 411 is …. 

The Bigelow 411 is the Student Morning newscast program.  In the past, the PTO has provided 3 iMac computers loaded with iMovie software. Each team can produce their episodes separately, which helps the group’s organization and productivity enormously.

The students who produce the 411 newscasts use three Flipcam-style Kodak cameras to produce their news episodes. That’s one camera for each team of 8-10 students, which often leaves a lot of students without much to do. And it takes longer to film each clip — usually between 6 and 9 clips per episode. (Each team produces an episode for one day of the Bigelow cycle, so on Day 3 they produce the episodes for the next Day 4, 5, and 6.) If just one camera is broken or low on battery power, then the entire system grinds to a halt.

Newton Community Preservation Comm meets April 11

The Newton Community Preservation Committee’s meeting on Thursday, April 11th will include discussion of a pre-proposal for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Nathaniel Allen House (35 Webster Street, West Newton), as well as committee business.
For the full agenda and full text of this pre-proposal, visit the program website.

Projects that would like to request funds in fy14 or fy15 must submit a pre-proposal by June 1 to qualify for consideration in the fall 2013 round. For assistance, contact Alice Ingerson by phone at 617.796.1144 or by email.

Community Concert: Meet the Orchestra, April 7

Bring your family and meet the orchestra through music, hilarity, and hi-jinx! The New Philharmonia Orchestra and the Newton All-City Orchestra present an imaginative and fun afternoon of music. Featuring music by Bach and Schubert plus a hysterical performance of “The Composer is Dead” with text by Lemony Snicket and narrated by local actor Jake Berger.

Audience members of all ages are invited to meet and try the instruments after the concert at New Phil’s famous Instrument Petting Zoo! Join us and make musical memories!

Sunday, April 7 at 3pm
First Baptist Church, Newton Centre
Tickets: $10-$15

More details at the New Phil website or by calling 617.527.9717

Community Concert: Meet the Orchestra, April 7

Bring your family and meet the orchestra through music, hilarity, and hi-jinx! The New Philharmonia Orchestra and the Newton All-City Orchestra present an imaginative and fun afternoon of music. Featuring music by Bach and Schubert plus a hysterical performance of “The Composer is Dead” with text by Lemony Snicket and narrated by local actor Jake Berger.

Audience members of all ages are invited to meet and try the instruments after the concert at New Phil’s famous Instrument Petting Zoo! Join us and make musical memories!

Sunday, April 7 at 3pm
First Baptist Church, Newton Centre
Tickets: $10-$15

More details at the New Phil website or by calling 617.527.9717

Summer Video Game Programming for Middle Schoolers

Newton Community Education is offering a special summer course for middle school students:

Bootstrap: Practical Math for Programming Video Games

Bootstrap is a computer programming course with a twist—come learn programming basics in the Racket language and use your skills to program your own video game using algebraic and geometric concepts. Put your knowledge into action to create a computer game of your own design.

August 19 – August 23
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Newton North High School
Cost: $275

Once you learn Bootstrap, these skills can be put to use in other programming environments, and even in your math class! No previous programming experience necessary. Grades 6-8.

More details are on the Newton Community Education website.

 

Students with Disabilities Transitioning from School to Adulthood

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education presents “What every transitioning student with disabilities needs to know,” a panel of experts in Adult Services for parents of students finishing high school. 

Panel members will cover DDS services, residential services for those who are not eligible for state services, SSI/SSDI, and Massachusetts Rehab services for the transitioning student or adult.

Thursday, April 11
7 -9pm at the Education Center (Rm 210), 100 Walnut Street

NewtonPAC meetings are free and open to the public.
More details, including panelist bios, are on the Newton PAC website.

Students with Disabilities Transitioning from School to Adulthood

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education presents “What every transitioning student with disabilities needs to know,” a panel of experts in Adult Services for parents of students finishing high school. 

Panel members will cover DDS services, residential services for those who are not eligible for state services, SSI/SSDI, and Massachusetts Rehab services for the transitioning student or adult.

Thursday, April 11
7 -9pm at the Education Center (Rm 210), 100 Walnut Street

NewtonPAC meetings are free and open to the public.
More details, including panelist bios, are on the Newton PAC website.

Piano concert & celebration, April 6

On Saturday, April 6 at 7:30pm, Suzuki School of Newton (SSN) faculty and advanced students will perform at the Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street in Newton.

Distinguished SSN alumna Anna Larsen, age 13, will be one of the performers.  The concert, which will showcase a Steinway B concert grand piano, is free and open to the public. The program ranges in styles from Bach and Beethoven to tango and ragtime and is sure to please piano lovers of all ages.

Piano concert & celebration, April 6

On Saturday, April 6 at 7:30pm, Suzuki School of Newton (SSN) faculty and advanced students will perform at the Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street in Newton.

Distinguished SSN alumna Anna Larsen, age 13, will be one of the performers.  The concert, which will showcase a Steinway B concert grand piano, is free and open to the public. The program ranges in styles from Bach and Beethoven to tango and ragtime and is sure to please piano lovers of all ages.