Tag Archives: elem

Update on Jesse Appell’s Fundraiser

Read on for an update on the result of the fundraiser – Comedy for a Cause with Jesse Appell in February. Donation on the night of the show and tickets sold at Newton North reached $8,684, and online tickets and donation accumulated to $3,600.  The Newton exchange school, Jingshan School in Beijing, has asked us to donate all the funds raised for their students to Wuhan as well. Therefore checks of these funds have been made out to WeStar Corp,  a Weston-based non-profit organization that purchases medical supplies and ships to Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province.

Jesse Appell, Henry Turner, the Newton North principal, along with Emily Donahue, teacher from Peirce Elementary School, and David Minichiello, teacher from Memorial Spaulding Elementary School went to WeStar headquarters last week and packed our supplies for Wuhan. Some Chinese AP class students also participated in this meaningful mission! Please see the attached pictures.

If you were not at the show, the video below will give you a glimpse of the night. You may also enjoy Jesse’s interview with WBUR’s “Here and Now.” These videos are broadcasted on China’s major news media and picked up by many social media as well. Video of the fundraiser.

The organizers of the event are immensely humbled and touched by the efforts, kindness and generosity that our community has demonstrated and feel very grateful for being part of this collective endeavor for humanity.

Children’s learning, language and development study opportunities

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children between the ages of 8 and 12 years to participate in research studies funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Study 1. This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years. The goal is to improve understanding of learning in children. The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours scheduled on weekdays and weekends) per year for 3 years. During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer. More information can be found at https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning

Study 2. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the learning patterns of children with typical and atypical language development. The study will involve 2 visits to the lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. During the visits, children complete a battery of cognitive and language-based assessments, play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording.  A visit will last about 3 hours. A week after the second lab visit your child will be asked to complete follow up tasks on a home computer or a mobile device. Researchers are looking for children who were late to develop language, and who still receive services for language or learning difficulties. More information can be found at https://rally.partners.org/study/does_your_child_stru

Payment is $60 for each in-person visit to the lab and there is free all-day parking provided at the Navy Yard. Results of your child’s cognitive and language-based assessments are mailed to you. Please email cnglead@mghihp.edu or call 617- 724-7363 if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Isabel Fitzpatrick and The LEAD Study Team

Update from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

As the news and information about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to develop, you may have questions about our schools. We are working closely with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services to monitor this situation and stay up-to-date with guidance, including guidance relative to travelers.

To prevent any potential exposure to our staff and students, we are implementing federal guidance around returning travelers, which is evolving daily. To that end, today we made a decision to require students and staff from Newton North who returned from Italy on Saturday, Feb. 29th, to stay home from school beginning tomorrow, March 2nd, until further notice. These students and staff will return to school once we have been advised that it is appropriate. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and under the direction of the Newton Health and Human Services department.

For your information, the city-wide Emergency Management Team has formed a committee to apply our robust emergency preparedness plans to possible scenarios around this infectious disease. While this specific virus is a new one, managing community spread of disease is not new and our public health professionals are well prepared. We will play an important role on this committee and will address questions about potential issues that may impact the day-to-day function of our schools.

The MA Department of Health shares the following recommendations to maintain good health:

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Stay home if you are sick

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

We will continue to work with our City health partners to provide you with timely, accurate, and useful information.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Early Spring Registration Has Started!
Early Spring Session runs February 24th – April 19th. Sign up for swimming lessons, small fitness training classes, sports, or creative arts! There’s still availability in some of the classes. Register and find out more information here.

Try the Y for Free on Mondays in March
Mondays are free in March!  Stop by the Welcome Center with a valid ID and your guest fee will be waived.

Kids Night Out
Parents, drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with qualified staff members for a Kids Night Out. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25.00 per child for Y members and $30.00 for the community. A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Everyone wins!
March 6th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Family Fun Night
Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.
March 10th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Camp Registration is Now Open!
Send your child to day camp at Camp Pikati or Camp Chickami, or try the overnight experience at Camp Frank A. Day.  Learn more and register at https://www.wsymca.org/camps

Camp Info Session
Want to learn more about summer camp offerings?  Stop by the Y for one of the camp info sessions on March 10th,  3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in member services, childcare and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. The Y offers generous benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

March events from Historic Newton

FREE WEEKEND AT HISTORIC NEWTON
Everyone is invited to enjoy free admission to the museums.
March 7th and March 8th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Books.”
March 7th, 9:30 am
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Books.”
March 11th, 10:30 am
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Rainbow.”
March 21st, 9:30 am
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

LOOK CLOSER: HIDDEN HISTORY GALLERY TALK
How does art tell a story? What can a painting tell us about Newton and America in 1852? With a Historic Newton educator, examine the newly acquired landscape painting, The Great Curve, in a 30-minute gallery talk and activity. Admission included in museum admission. Information: 617-796-1450
March 21st, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Rainbow.”
March 25th, 10:30 am
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue

Female Zionist Series

Please join Hadassah Boston for the Female Zionist Series featuring Professor Tamar Frankel in conversation with Professor Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, Director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute  Please complete the information below to register.

A donation of $18 or more to support Hadassah Medical Organization is greatly appreciated. Register at
https://secure2.convio.net/wzoa/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=104481

April 30th, 7:30 pm
Brandeis University, Waltham

Camp Fair in Dedham

This camp fair is hosted by the Avery School PTO and gives families from all over the region the opportunity to connect with representatives from 60+ overnight camps, day camps, and other summer programs for children and teens. Many of the participating day camps/activities are held in locations convenient to Newton, and the attending overnight camps come from all over New England.

There are options for children aged 3-17. All are welcome to attend the Discover Summer! Camps & Activities Fair.

March 7th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
336 High Street, Dedham

Kindergarten Soccer

Pre-K Division for children in preschool who will enter Kindergarten for the 2020-2021
school year. Kindergarten Division for children currently enrolled in Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year.

Game times are based on school assignment, please visit the Kindergarten Soccer
website for your child’s game time and other information. All games will be played at Oak Hill Middle School beginning Saturday April 18th and will run for 7 weeks (with no game May 2nd and May 23rd)

Kindergarten Soccer is run entirely by parent volunteers, please sign up to coach if you
can! No previous knowledge of soccer is needed. Kindergarten Soccer is not a drop-off program, children must be accompanied by an adult.The cost of the program is $80.00 before April 5th. Financial assistance available, please contact newtonkindergartensoccer@gmail.com.

Attention 5th Grade Parents – Open Houses for afterschool program

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children is hosting Open House events for interested families. This is a great opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year. Please join  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 highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org

Open Houses:

March 1st, March 9th, and  March 24th, 5:30-6:30 pm
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands

Literacy Specialist/ESL Teacher

Literacy Specialist/ESL teacher available for private Summer tutoring and systems navigation. Newton mom and former Newton literacy specialist with 20 years experience in public education and proud parent of two kids with complex learning and social-emotional needs.

Lani Verges-Radack has experience in a variety of methods and she can assess your child to design the best plan for progress. She works on ALL areas of literacy – decoding, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, oral language and phonics/spelling – depending upon the needs of your child.

  • State certified in ESL, Reading, Early Childhood, English. Completing requirements for Moderate Special Needs certification by summer.
  • Experienced with all ages, with specialties in early childhood and elementary.
  • She can help you navigate state, private, and local systems of care, especially for foster/adopted kids as well as kids with complex social-emotional profiles.
  • Rates available upon request.

Please email for additional information Lradack@gmail.com