HELP NEWTON NEIGHBORS COLLECT MOUNTAINS OF FOOD DONATIONS FOR OUR LAST INITIATIVE OF 2022! 

We are halfway through our drive to benefit the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry! We hope to collect mountains of nonperishable foods including cereal, pasta, rice, canned tuna, canned vegetables and fruit, and other similar items to share with families that use the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry! Donations are starting to trickle in but we can’t do this without your support!

Looking for a way to give back to your community? Copy this post and share it with your networks. Organize a mini-drive at your school, organization or place of worship! Going to the grocery store? Pick up a few extra items to share with your neighbors!

Donation dropoff locations:

  • 137 Annawan Road, Waban (leave in box on front steps)
  • 1525 Commonwealth Avenue, West Newton (leave in box at front door)
  • 22 Florence Court, Newtonville (leave in box on front porch)
  • Baystate Physical Therapy, 29 Crafts Street, Suite 570, Newton
  • Or donate directly to Arabic Baptist through their website

A message from Pastor Samy Ibrahim, Arabic Baptist Church:

Your support and help is so valuable and very important for our food pantry. We are so appreciative to you and your team. May God bless you richly.

Stress Survival Guide Workshop” for teens ages 13 and over

The City of Newton Youth Services Division is partnering with Families for Depression Awareness, the Newton Free Library, and the Newton Youth Commission to host a “Stress Survival Guide Workshop” for teens ages 13 and over on Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Newton Free Library.   This workshop led by Families for Depression Awareness staff, will teach teens how to identify symptoms of stress in themselves, their peers, and their family, identify strategies to manage day-to-day stress, as well as how to find help if things start to feel like “more than just stress.”  Teens will create a survival guide of their own by utilizing a workbook tool created by FFDA!  Light refreshments will be available!  To register CLICK HERE.  

NGBA Seeking Paid Referees

Basketball Referees Wanted! Earn money and have fun! Newton Girls Basketball is looking for adults and high school students who are able to referee recreational basketball games for girls in grades 3 – 8. Applicants must be age 14 or older.  Students are required to get a work permit.  No experience is necessary, though familiarity with the game is expected. We will provide training and support.  

When

Games are on Saturdays 

The season runs November 28, 2022 – March 11, 2023

Where

Day and Bigelow Middle School  
Game start times between 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Referees are paid $25 for working 3rd – 5th grade games and $30 for working 6th – 8th grade games.

For more information or to express your interest, please email 
registrar@newtongirlsbball.com.

ActiveMinds Tutoring

During this Holiday season, keep your hearts warm and minds warmer with ActiveMinds Tutoring. Shine bright with our tutors who care. 16 years providing tutoring for all academic subjects, studying skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT). 

Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about our personalized plans with experienced tutors.

617.227.2225 | dbrooks@activemindstutoring.com |http://www.activemindstutoring.com/

Registration for Newton Girls Lacrosse 2023 Spring Season is Open!

The Newton Girls Lacrosse (NGL) program has been dedicated to providing Newton lacrosse players and their families a community based developmental lacrosse program since 1999.  

The program is open to all skills levels in grades 1-8. Our team of dedicated volunteer coaches deliver a fun, safe and inclusive youth sports environment.  

The goals of this instructional program are to develop our players lacrosse skills, and to provide space for building new friendships with players from across the city.

Please see our website for more information: http://www.newtongirlslacrosse.com/

For questions please email ngl.program@gmail.com.

Bigelow School Council 2022-23

Thank you to all who participated in the nomination process for the Bigelow School Council. Congratulations to the Bigelow School Council members for 2022-23:

  • Chassity Coston, Principal
  • Heather Dragsbaek, 6th Special Education
  • Lora Stoyanova, 8th ELA
  • Carolina Verdaguer, Spanish
  • Rocío Calvo, Grade 6 parent
  • Gabriela Kroszynski, Grade 8 parent
  • Justine Kelley, Grade 7 & 8 parent
  • Patrick Song, Grade 6 parent
  • Student representatives will participate from the Bigelow Student Council as well

Learn more about School Councils here.

Giving to Bigelow

It’s that time of year and your inbox is probably filled with worthy organizations asking for donations. The Bigelow Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is one cause that doesn’t get more personal: our kids’ education. As parents and guardians of Bigelow students, we are all members of the PTO, an organization that is well worth supporting.

Why give to the PTO?

  • We underwrite programs that the Newton Public School’s budget does not cover, such as Creative Arts and Sciences and classroom technology.
  • We supplement supplies for the classrooms.
  • We offer field trip scholarships.
  • We provide assistance to Bigelow families who have fallen under unfortunate circumstances.
  • We serve as an important communication channel between the school and parents.
  • We help build the community that makes Bigelow a special place for our children.

Please support these important programs with your gift to Bigelow PTO online, via Venmo (@BigelowPTONewton), or by check.
Matching gifts are a great way to maximize your donation! Some companies will double or triple your gift to education.

DONATE NOW

Holidays Can Be Stressful — We’re Here to Help 

The holidays are a time of joy, comfort, family and tradition for many in our community. For others, the reality is that this season can be filled with anxiety, grief, and loneliness. 

Newton’s social workers note that, most likely, we all experience a mixture of these emotions during the holiday season when stress increases and obligations feel constant. Stress can impact us all differently and they suggest we take time to care for ourselves to ensure our overall health and well-being. Caring for ourselves may include saying “no” without guilt, asking for help without shame or embarrassment, treating yourself with kindness and compassion, and finding time for a walk outside, for adequate rest, and for healthy nutrition.  

Our social workers in Newton’s Health and Human Services Department have gathered mental health resources and substance use resources should you or a loved one need additional support during this time. Please call 617-796-1420 to speak with the team in Social Services.