Tag Archives: elem

New Newton FORJ Book Group

Check out the new FORJ Book Group,  meeting monthly at various locations throughout Newton. Given that the books could be shared with older students, this group is designed for Newton Middle and High School parents/guardians, faculty and staff, in mind, however it is open to anyone who is looking to increase their awareness and connection regarding these topics.

For teachers this could be a great opportunity to think through how to introduce a particular book and get feedback in a supportive space.  This will be an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and meet some new people, please consider joining! Please contact Jen Dirga with any questions jenniferdirga@gmail.com.

Click here to learn more about theFORJ Group.

Applications for Harmony Foundation Community Grants are currently being accepted

As part of its mission, Newton’s Harmony Foundation (The Foundation for Racial, Ethnic and Religious Harmony) provides small grants to Newton organizations whose programming facilitates community learning, understanding, respect, and unity across the divides of racial, ethnic, religious and cultural differences. The Foundation’s scope is intergenerational with many program grants benefitting those in preschool through high school.

The Harmony Foundation is now accepting grant proposals from community groups, K-12 educational institutions and other related local organizations whose program initiatives align with their primary mission, to assist the Newton community in cultivating and valuing diversity as a unique source of community strength.

Grants typically are in the range of $200-$1,500, with an expected average grant size of $500-$750. This fall’s application deadline is September 30th. Applications may be submitted for current programs or for programs scheduled to occur in 2020.

For more information about eligibility and application instructions, please visit http://harmonyfoundationnewton.org/grants/submit-a-grant/

Destination Imagination (DI) registration open

Registration is open for the 2019 – 2020 season of Destination Imagination (DI),  a creative problem solving competition that blends Science and Technology with the Arts. For the past 10 years, over 500 Newton students have participated in the Destination Imagination (DI) program and they’re ready for their biggest and best season ever.

Clikc to hear from Alumni about how DI changed their lives: Destination Imagination Alumni Video  and/or watch to find out how DI works: What is Destination Imagination?

Ready to have fun?! Click HERE to register your child

Newton DI is run by a team of dedicated volunteers and is a non-profiting fully inclusive program. Please visit the website to learn more: www.newtondi.com.

Newton CPC’s next meeting September 10th

The agenda for the Newton CPC’s next meeting includes a public hearing on the Newton Conservators’ $15,000 funding request for holding the CPA-required conservation restriction on Kesseler Woods; an update on the Allen House historic rehabilitation project in West Newton; a revised program budget for Fy20; proposed updates to Newton’s CPA ordinance; and planning for a staff transition in January 2020.

For details see www.newtonma.gov/cpa or contact Alice Ingerson at aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144.

September 10th, 7:00 pm
City Hall Room 204

Free Science Club run by Newton High School Student

Sidnie Kulik, a 16 year old going into junior year at the Noble and Greenough School and former Pierce and Day student is planning a fun and free monthly science experiment club opportunity for kids in  3rd-5th grades.  This past year Sidnie ran a successful book club for 3rd and 4th graders, but decided that to focus on science instead for a few reasons.

She says, “First, it is important to expose children to different subject matters. Second, it is easier for both the parent and the kid to not have to purchase and read the assigned book before meeting. Third, science is my favorite subject and I hope to share this passion with children.”

Contact her at sidniekulik8888@gmail.com or 617-485-9109 if your child is interested. You can also find out more @scienceandkids on Instagram.

Fall Tree Tour

Fall Tree Tour at Newton Cemetery

Enjoy a walk in the arboretum with Newton Cemetery arborist Julie Clements as she guides a tour showcasing the interesting variety of Fall colors. The tour will take place rain or shine.

Comfortable walking shoes, water, a camera and plenty of questions are recommended. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Meet just inside the main gate in front of the office. Parking is available on the cemetery roads or in the chapel parking lot. For more information, call 617-332-0047.

Suggested Donation: $10.00. The tour is free and open to all but donations to the Friends of Newton Cemetery are welcome and support arboretum education and care.

Newton Cemetery is an accredited Arboretum with the Morton Register of Arboreta.

Piano Lessons available

Gloria Jasinski has a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory and 30+ years of teaching experience.

You can learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, and sightreading and build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Phone: 617-566-9704 or  email piano566@comcast.net

“Is Our Constitution Holding Up to the Test of Time in 2019?”

“Is Our Constitution Holding Up to the Test of Time in 2019?”

Join members of the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN)  as they host a community discussion led by constitutional law professor, Jed Shugerman. You’ll be talking about our constitution and how it is holding up; is our constitution still working the way it was intended? is there still a balance of powers among the three branches of government? is the Supreme Court still an independent branch of government or should structural changes be made? what about the independence of the Fed, the Attorney General and the Department of Justice? are we near a constitutional crisis?

Jed Shugerman, a Newton resident and former Bowen PTO co-chair, is a law professor and legal historian at Fordham University in New York. He teaches torts, administrative law and constitutional history.

Jed is the author of The People’s Courts: Pursuing Judicial Independence in America (2012), on the evolution of judicial elections and politics in America. He is working on a new book, The Rise of the Prosecutor Politicians, on the history of American prosecutors and mass incarceration. His articles often appear in law reviews and major national newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, and The Atlantic. He appears on MSNBC, CNN and CBC to discuss legal issues, and he writes about law and politics at shugerblog.com and on Twitter @jedshug.

A question and answer session and open discussion will follow after Mr. Shugerman’s presentation. RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

September 15th, 5:00 – 6:30 pm at the Durant Kenrick House, 286 Waverly Avenue, Newton

Join School Connections – Next meeting August 29th

Are you looking for a way to make your child’s school healthier and more sustainable? Healthier lunches? Recycling? Come add your voice to the GN Schools Connections group.

Green Newton’s Schools Connections group provides a forum for parents, students, and educators to promote sustainability in the classroom and beyond. You are welcome to participate and share experiences and ideas that support green initiatives in our schools.

After the group reached out to the Newton School Committee about the need to improve recycling in Newton’s schools, the committee passed a new school recycling policy in the spring of 2019. In addition, this advocacy was instrumental in getting the city to consider environmental practices and waste reduction in schools when selecting a new food service vendor. Representatives of the group will also participate in discussions to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias.

In June, they worked with city leaders to submit a state grant application to support the expansion of the school recycling program and they are also advocating for the city’s approval to set up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building. For more information contact schoolconnections@greennewton.org or visit schools.greennewton.org.

August 29th, 3:45 – 5:00 pm in the third-floor arc area of the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street