From the Superintendent

Dear Newton Community Members:
The events this week have probably been among the most upsetting and trying that the system has experienced in quite a while.  Many of us have had trouble processing the allegations, because they are so far beyond our comprehension.  We also need to recognize that this event has had an impact throughout the City.  
Next Tuesday night, January 24th, we will hold a community meeting at Newton North at for members of the broader Newton community.  The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear from both law enforcement authorities and mental health experts.  Representatives from each of our school buildings will be present at the meeting.  
We will continue to provide information to you as we work together for our children and for each other during this very difficult time.
Community meeting: Working with children and families following an unforeseen and upsetting event.
January 24, 2012
7:00 pm
Newton North High School Auditorium

School Dance PLUS concert to benefit 8th grade trips – Jan. 27th

Make sure to remind your sons and daughters to buy tickets for the all school dance on Friday January 27th.  This is no ordinary dance there, of course, will be the fabulous Mr. Labrache with music and dancing in the gym but there will also be games and fun in the cafeteria including a cotton candy machine and the awesome student-band Levity will be playing in the auditorium with space to dance in front of the stage.  This is a night they won’t want to miss!

Tickets are $7 and are on sale in the cafeteria during all 3 lunches.  There are Levity T-shirts too that will go on sale for $12 starting Monday in the cafeteria.

The dance will run from 6:30-9:30pm in the gym.  The games and snacks in the cafeteria will also run from 6:30 – 9:30.  The band Levity (a current 8th grader and three former Bigelow students, now 10th graders) will perform for about an hour and a half starting at 8pm in the auditorium.  

This event is a fundraiser for the 8th grade trips to NYC and Quebec.  The more students who attend the event the more scholarship money we will be able to raise.


Watertown Children’s Theatre Apprenticeship Program for high school students

Watertown Children’s Theatre (WCT) is accepting applications for its newest offering, the WCT Apprenticeship Program for high school students. The apprenticeship program provides the free opportunity to learn about mounting a professional theatrical production under the one-on one mentorship of a member of the WCT design team. Program participants are paired with mentors from the theatre’s professional production staff to ensure a high quality experience, apprenticing in one of three disciplines: costume, lighting and sound, or set and props design.

Apprentices will be selected through an application and interview process; students in grades 10– 12 are eligible to apply.  The program will occur over approximately 4 months, February – June, 2012. Selected apprentices will work on productions that are part of the regular WCT season. The program includes weekly meetings on-site with mentors, a monthly production meeting, individual work (research and design), and a concentrated period of time on-site during technical rehearsal weeks.

Applications are due Wednesday, February 1.  For more information or to receive an application form, call Kelly MacIsaac, Producing Director of Programming at 617.926.ARTS (2787) or visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org.

New Philharmonia Family Concert & Instrument “Petting Zoo” Jan. 29

Celebrate winter through music! Featuring a narrated telling of the Iroquois legend, How Bear Lost His Tail, by local composer Pasquale Tassone, and a side-by-side performance with Newton’s All-City Orchestra directed by Greg Livingston.

Our instrument “petting zoo” will follow the performance!

Concert is at 3:00pm on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the First Baptist Church, 848 Centre St. in Newton Center. Tickets ($10 students, $15 adults) can be purchased online.

New Teen Librarian at Newton Free Library

She’s not a teen, but she’s a Teen Librarian! Next time you’re at the Newton Free Library, stop by and say hello to Liz Rowland, a Wheaton College graduate who’s finishing her Master of Library and Information Science at Univ. of South Carolina. She’s eager to help teens and their parents with book suggestions, research and schoolwork help, and more.

Recent projects for the Teen Department include: a College Planning Process lecture, an online Homework Help Guide, and a celebration of National Gaming Day.  

Historic Newton: upcoming events

Sunday, January 22, 4:00-6:00 PM.
Adams Street Synagogue: Celebrating our Centennial
Free. Event location: Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street, Newton

The Adams Street Synagogue is Newton’s oldest synagogue. Dedicated in 1912, it is celebrating one hundred years of service to Newton’s Jewish community as an Orthodox synagogue serving a diverse congregation and the broader community. The synagogue, in Newton’s most diverse neighborhood, Nonantum, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The exhibit describes the history of the congregation, illustrated by historic photographs.

Tuesday, January 24, 7:00-9:00 PM
Happy 10th Birthday, Newton CPA! Neighborhood event for West Newton, Auburndale, and Newton Lower Falls

How would you allocate nearly $20 million for affordable housing, historic resources, open space, and recreation land in Newton over the next five years? Come tell us on Tuesday at this special event — enjoy a slide show about past Community Preservation Act projects and neighborhood history.  Add your ideas for future projects to our interactive maps.  Refreshments provided!  For more information, see www.newtonma.gov/cpa or contact Alice E. Ingerson, phone: 617-796-1144 or email: aingerson@newtonma.gov.

Thursday, January 26, 6:30 PM
HISTORIC NEWTON @NIGHT: A TRIBUTE TO ANNE LARNER

Please join us for this special evening that will honor Anne Larner, Board President of Historic Newton and an outstanding leader and community activist. Also featuring Tufts University’s own singing sensations, The BEELZEBUBS, this event will include cocktails, a light supper, and a chance to participate in an auction featuring radio personality, Matty Siegel of Kiss 108, as guest auctioneer. Proceeds from ticket sales will help underwrite a new education program in Anne Larner’s name at the newly renovated Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased online at www.historicnewton.org.

TUTOR AVAILABLE

My name is Isabel Carter, and I am a senior at Newton South. I’m offering my services as a tutor for middle school students in Math, English, Spanish, and general homework help. I received a 2250 on my SATs and maintain a 4.35 GPA while taking 4 AP courses, including AP AB Calculus, AP Literature and Composition, AP Spanish, and AP Comparative Government. I have experience with children as a babysitter and as a tutor (last year I tutored a freshman in English). Additionally, I took the SAT IIs in Biology E and Literature and received a 680 and 730, respectively.

My hours are flexible as is my price, which I would discuss with clients directly. Also, I drive, so I’m happy to work with the kids at their homes or at an after school program.

My contact info:
email- iziicarter@yahoo.com
cell- 617 584 6185

5th Annual Newton Spelling Bee

Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Newton Spelling Bee at the Newton Cultural Center. The dates are April 2, 4, 9 & 11. This fun and educational Spelling Bee is open to all Newton children in grades K – 6. Children compete within their own grade level only. Space is limited, so sign up quickly! For registration and more information, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-527-8283.

DoReMi Family Day Care

Winter enrollment. Children 2-5. Full day, half day and after school options. DoReMi FDC offers enhanced music program throughout the day. Home made meals and snacks provided. Fully fenced playground with organic mulch. Experienced, certified early education provider. Location: Newton Center, Rt9 and Parker Street. For more information contact Anna @ doremi.fdc or 617-244-7012.