Register now for Spring Classes at Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts offers a full spectrum of classes and workshops beginning the week of March 25 and later.

Children’s classes (for four age groups) include Beginning Artists, Clay for Kids, Mixed-Media, Comics and much more. Fun parent-child workshops are also available. A complete list of classes is available online.

Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, with free parking and access to public transportation. Scholarships and member discounts are available. To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309, or print & mail the registration form.

Tinkershop workshop for middle schoolers & parents, March 14

Curious about 3D printing? Intrigued by innovations in advanced manufacturing?

MassBay Community College cordially invites middle school students, parents, and guardians to attend a Metrowest Tinkershop on Thursday, March 14, at MassBay’s Wellesley Hills Campus. This innovative event is designed to spark an interest in advanced manufacturing and will feature projects especially for middle school students.

Thursday, March 14, 6-8PM
MassBay Wellesley Hills Campus (just off Route 9), room 320
Light refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by Massachusetts AMP it up! Advanced Manufacturing Program and is offered in partnership with MetroWest STEM Education Network (MSEN). Event is free, but early registration is required. Register soon. Space is limited.

For more information or to register, contact Chitra Javdekar, Ph. D. , chair of engineering dept., via email. 

 

 

Remember to Vote in Special Election, Tuesday, March 12

The Newton School Committee encourages you to vote “Yes” on the three questions in the special election on Tuesday, March 12. Polls are open from 7AM until 8PM. If you plan to be out of town on the March 12, you can vote on Monday at the Newton Election Commission, 1st floor of City Hall.

On Tuesday, Newton voters will weigh in on an override proposal that is critical to the future of Newton and particularly to Newton’s schools. The 3-question override package includes $4.5 million dollars to address dramatic student enrollment growth, plus funding to renovate or rebuild and expand Newton’s oldest and severely crowded schools.

In the past decade, Newton’s student population has increased by about 1,000 students and 850+ more are projected over the next five years. Schools are bursting at the seams. Question 1 on the March 12 ballot will provide funding to renovate/rebuild and expand the Zervas School, provide modulars for Bowen, Burr, Horace Mann and Mason Rice, and hire additional teachers for the growing student population at all grade levels throughout the district.

Questions 2 and 3 on the ballot will provide funding to enable the rebuilding/renovation and expansion of the antiquated and overcrowded Angier and Cabot—Newton’s oldest school buildings—which the Massachusetts School Building Authority has named among the 30 worst in the state for building condition. Money currently lost on high energy costs and major repairs from these schools can be diverted to other schools. In addition, the expansion of the centrally located Angier, Cabot and Zervas schools will ease the population pressure on surrounding schools throughout Newton. If the overrides pass, Newton stands to receive about $27 million in state reimbursement for the projects.

Mark your calendars and don’t forget to vote YES YES YES on March 12.

Former Celtic Chris Herren To Speak at Newton North Gym, March 13

NOTE: Location has been changed to accommodate audience demand. Seating is limited – be sure to register .

Newton’s high school students and their parents are invited to hear the amazing story of former Boston Celtic Chris Herren, who will speak at the Newton North Exhibition Gym at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 13.

Do not miss this chance to hear a local basketball legend describe his journey from high school phenom to the NBA, his gradual decent into substance abuse, and his resurrection as an activist for sobriety.

Herren, who is from Fall River, Mass., has been featured on 60 Minutes, was part of ESPN’s “30 for 30″ series in a documentary called “Unguarded” and written an autobiography, “Basketball Junkie”. His presentation offers a very powerful message to students and student-athletes about dealing with success, dealing with adversity, dealing with situations that come in the community, in classroom, and on the playing field.

The presentation is free to the first 500 who register. Click here to reserve your seat.

 

“How to Succeed in Business…” at Newton North, March 14-17

Power, sex, ambition, greed… it’s just another day at the office. From the authors of GUYS AND DOLLS comes one of the most delightfully irreverent musicals of all time.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling familiar but potent dangers including true love.

March 14th, 15th, 16th at 7:30, and March 17th at 2:00pm
Performing Arts Center, Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street
Tickets $10, $14, or $16 available at the Theatre Ink website, by email, or by calling the box office at 617-559-6306.

Marathon Reading of the Bestseller “Wonder” – March 16

You are invited to the first ever staged marathon reading of the book, Wonder, on Saturday, March 16 from 9:00am- 7:30pm, at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street. Come for the entire reading or for parts that you particularly want to hear.

R.J. Palacio’s bestseller Wonder is the story of an ordinary 10-year-old boy, born with an extraordinary face, which explores themes of bullying, empathy, kindness and ultimately acceptance. The cast is comprised of 14 actors and 55 community readers. Taking the lead role of Auggie is Chapin Galowitz, a 6th grader at Oak Hill, appearing with his parents, Pamela and Adam Galowitz who play Auggie’s parents.  8th grade Oak Hill student Abby Lass will play the role of Via, and Zervas teacher Michael Stern will play Mr. Browne. The cast includes retired Zervas Principal Steve Griffin and Adam Brown, Chair of Newton North High School’s Theatre Ink.

Children are invited to submit a Wonder-inspired drawing, painting, or collage that embrace the themes of inclusiveness, kindness, courage and friendship for an art exhibition which will be on display all day. Artwork should be dropped off to the Newton Cultural Center no later than Wednesday, March 13.

More info is available at the Newton Youth Players website or by calling 617-796-1540.

The event is supported by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Understanding Our Differences, and Newton Community Pride. A grant from the Newton Cultural Council underwrites the event.

Open Houses at Highlands After-School Program – for Oak Hill & Brown students

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children enrolled at Brown & Oak Hill, is hosting Open Houses on 4 afternoons in March:
Saturday, March 9,
Wednesday, March 13,
Monday, March 18 and
Sunday, March 24

5-6:00 pm. at Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands.

Please join us and see the wonderful space that is the home base of this terrific program. For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or by email.  Learn more about the program on the NHASP website.

Promoting Positive Body Image in your Teen/Tween

This free workshop from the Multi-service Eating Disorders Association will offer techniques and strategies to help parents of students ages 10-14 foster the development of positive body image and a healthy relationship with food. 

Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm a
Day Middle School (Library), 21 Minot Place, Newtonville

Does your child seem preoccupied with her appearance and weight? Do you wonder if your son’s exercise habits have become too intense? Maybe you aren’t even sure if you should be worried? Given that hospitalizations of children under 12 with eating disorders jumped 119% between 1999 and 2006, it is hard to even know what “normal” is for kids these days.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PARKING AT DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL:
This event will be held in the library. Please park in the back of the school (Albermarle Field side) or along Albermarle Rd. by Gath Pool. Enter via the entrance under the painted mural at the back of the school building. Please enter in the rear of the building (by Albermarle Field).

 

Newton PAC presents: Speech & Language Evaluations, Therapy for Young Children

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education hosts an open presentation by Megan Rozantes, M.S., CCC-SLP.

Speech and language disorders affect one’s ability to talk, understand, read, and write. Such disorders have different causes, and may range from a few speech sound errors to a total loss of the ability to communicate effectively. This presentation will provide an in-depth look into the diagnostic process of Speech & Language Evaluations and Therapy for young children.

Monday, March 11
9:00 to 10:30 AM (Networking beginning at 9:00 AM)
100 Walnut Street (room 210), Newtonville 

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education.

Questions, contact Eileen or Lisa via email.