Tag Archives: elem

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Fall 2018 After School Program

Enrollment for Fall 2018 Out-of-School Time at the West Suburban YMCA is open. Out-of-School Time (OST) is an engaging after-school care program for grades K-8. The school-year program follows the Newton Public School calendar, including extended hours and Early Release Days, and transportation to the Y is available from most elementary and middle schools in Newton. For more information, visit wsymca.org or contact Jeremy Smith at 617-244-6050 x3068 or jeremys@wsymca.org.

Fall Program Registration – Discover What You Can Do!

Registration is open for Early Fall Programs at the YMCA! Programs begin the week September 4th. Pick up a fall program guide at the Y or view online at wsymca.org/find-a-program. Highlights include:

  • Sports: Discover teamwork and sportsmanship by registering for one of the many sports programs at the Y. The YMCA’s Youth Soccer Association (YSA) League welcomes children ages 4-8 to have fun learning the game of soccer. Saturday NFL Flag Football is another option for kids to learn football skills and positions while playing in a fun league. Teen 3v3 Basketball League is starting up this fall as well. Visit wsymca.org for more sports programs including basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, adaptive sports and more.
  • Music & Creative Arts: Discover your voice and learn to collaborate with a group in our Rock Band class! Rock Band is a 13-week program for ages 9+. Students have weekly rehearsals with their group in preparation for performances and will explore a variety of genres. The Y also offers private music lessons for guitar, bass, drums, piano and voice. New students can schedule a free introductory lesson.
  • Fitness & Wellness: Discover your strength with new offerings from our Fitness & Wellness Department. Try Run 101, a class for participants who would like to learn the basics of running with a small, supportive training group, Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi, a program to help participants relieve pain and improve balance through gentle, fluid movements, and Y Warriors, a fun class for ages 10-12 that uses games, obstacles and other activities to keep kids active and healthy.
  • Also new this fall is Y Empower, a new free program designed specifically for girls ages 10-14. This program will allow girls to explore their health holistically and be prepared to manage the stress that adolescence often brings. Participants will learn about topics such as nutrition, social media, job preparedness and self care, while also trying fitness activities like yoga, Zumba and swimming in a supportive environment. Contact Jane Carroll at janec@wsymca.org for more information about this program.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors achieve their holistic health goals. The next session will begin in late September. To learn more or participate in an upcoming session, contact Jane Carroll at janec@wsymca.org.

Swim Lessons for All Ages

Learn and improve upon a lifelong skill so you can be confident and capable in the water. YMCA Swim Lessons are available for all ages – infants through adults – and accommodate all abilities with three categories of lessons (swim starters, swim basics and swim strokes) and eight developmental stages.

For Teens

The Y offers a variety of options for teens at the YMCA. Students in the Leaders Club develop leadership skills through community building and volunteer service, while those interested in participating in a model government and learning how to create change can get involved in the Youth and Government program. The Y also offers regular open recreation hours and teen fitness hours.

Blue Waves Swim Team Try Outs

The Blue Waves Swim Team at the West Suburban YMCA is a nationally ranked competitive swim team for ages 6-17. All new swimmers looking to join the Blue Waves Swim Team for the Fall/Winter Short Course Season are required to try out. Try outs slots are available August 21-23 and September 4-6. Swimmers must pre-register for a try out slot ($5 for members / $10 for community). Try out registration is available online at wsymca.org or by calling 617-244-6050 x3086.

Fall 2018 Preschool

Fall 2018 Preschool is enrolling. The Y’s Preschool Center for Youth Development is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and provides a year-round, high quality early education experience for children 2.9 years to 5 years old. The program features a safe teacher-child ratio, a large, bright and open classroom with secure entrance, a weekly 30-minute swim lesson, and access to the Y’s outdoor playground, turf field and full gymnasium. For more information, visit wsymca.org/preschool or contact Kim Benzan at kimberlyb@wsymca.org.

Pickleball starts up September 4th!

Come to the Y on Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:30am and take up a new sport: Pickleball! Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. All are welcome. Free for members and a $10 drop-in fee for non-members.

Poetry Night – September 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm

Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event begins with readings by two local poets. Then 10-12 guests participate in the Open Mic portion of evening to share their own written work. This event is free and open to the public.

Family Fun Night –  September 11th, 6:00-7:00 pm

Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, games and more! FREE and open to all. Family Fun Nights are generously sponsored by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs

The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Visit wsymca.org to register online or stop by the Y’s Welcome Center at 276 Church Street.

Literacy Specialist/ELL Teacher Available for Tutoring

Newton mom and former Newton literacy specialist, Lani Verges-Radack who is presently working as an ELL teacher in Needham Public Schools, has over 15 years experience in education and is also the parent of two kids with complex learning and emotional needs.
She has experience in a variety of methods and can assess your child to design the best plan for progress.

Lani can work on ALL areas of literacy – decoding, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, oral language and phonics/spelling – depending upon the needs of your child. She is experienced with preschoolers through high schoolers. References and rates available upon request. Please contact Lani at mailto:Lradack@gmail.com.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Newton

Kids’ Morning

Free event for children ages 3 – 12 years. Children and families are invited to join in the Grande Pet Parade, Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Teddy Bear Parade and Foot Races. Free ice cream, candy and drinks complete the morning celebration – courtesy of Cabot’s Ice Cream. Kids Morning is cancelled in the event of rain.

July 4th, 10:00 am – 12 Noon
Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace

Afternoon/Evening Events

The fun continues with kiddie amusement rides, face painting, craft vendor booths and food trucks. Look for the Circus Arts performances from students and staff of Gravity Alternative Movement! Then, the fun moves over to the main stage with the fabulous Bo & Bill Winiker Band (courtesy of the Village Bank) for music and dancing from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Bring lawn chairs, try out the delicious food from the many food trucks and pick up your light-up novelties. At 9:00 pm, don’t miss the grand finale…a fantastic fireworks display! In the event of rain, the concert and fireworks will be rescheduled for a date to be determined. Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org for details.

July 4th, Noon – 10:00 pm
Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex.

Summer tutoring and enrichment

Former Horace Mann parent and experienced tutor is available this SUMMER! Haralie has worked in the Wellesley Public Schools and currently works in the Winchester Public Schools and at MassBay Community College and tutors K-5th grade students in Reading, Writing and Math. Each visit is a positive and fun learning experience! Please contact Haralie Alpert, M.Ed., MS at haralie@gmail.com or 617-630-0608.

Smart Kid Looking for a Challenge?

This summer, the Lumos Young Speakers Program is running a public speaking and debate program for students in grade 4-6.  Your child will love Lumos’s friendly instructors and fun activities as they learn about:

  • Speaking Confidence
  • Impromptu Speaking
  • Debate Basics
  • Argumentation and Reasoning

Right now you can use the code COMMUNITY to get $125.00 off. To register, go to lumosdebate.com/1-week-public-speaking-program/.

Email zephchang@lumosdebate.com or call 617-901-4564 with any questions.

July 23rd – 27th or July 30th – August 3rd,  9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Lexington, MA

Piano instruction available

Flexible summer scheduling makes now an ideal time to try piano lessons. Berklee and New England Conservatory graduate with 30+ years teaching experience. Beginners welcome. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring teacher. Contact Gloria Jasinski at 617-566-9704 or piano566@comcast.net.

Kids Day July 7th

Newton Theatre Company is thrilled to present its first ever Kids Day! On July 7th, stop by the Hyde Bandstand between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to enjoy readings from three Junie B.
Jones stories, live music, crafts, and other activities.

This event is free, with a bake sale and optional donations to benefit Newton Theatre Company. Appropriate for children ages 3-12. Any teens or adults looking to volunteer at the event can email Abby Lass at abbylass@gmail.com.

Summer Food for Families

When school’s out for the summer, so is breakfast and lunch for many Newton students. This year the city is partnering with the FUEL program at the Church of the Redeemer to help families in need of additional food.

The already successful FUEL program fills backpacks with nonperishable items for students to take home from school. The expanded summer version of the program will offer backpacks in more locations throughout the city, all available for children and their caregivers to pick up as much as twice per week. Locations include Newton Health and Human Services Department, Church of the Redeemer, West Suburban YMCA, Newton Fire Stations 7 & 10, Crystal Lake, Gath Pool, Newton Free Library, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Good Shepherd, St John’s Church, Arabic Baptist Church, the Boys & Girls Club, NCDF Houghton Village and more.

For a full list of locations and pick up times, visit www.newtonma.gov/food.

Don’t miss your chance

As the school year comes to a close, don’t miss your chance to thank teachers and staff who made a difference to your child this year! Making a donation to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program is a great way to do this.

Look for a flyer in your child’s backpack or if you have children in the upper grades, you will have already received a letter by mail. To donate online and to find out more about the programs NSF funds, go to www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org. Donations are tax-deductible and go toward enhancing educational excellence, including teachers’ professional development, initiatives to close the achievement gap, and new curricula and learning opportunities throughout Newton’s schools.

Teachers, as well as their principal and the Superintendent, will be notified of this honor, and if you donate by July 31st their names will appear in a special notification in the Newton TAB.