Tag Archives: mid

Middle School Summer Resources

The City of Newton’s Executive Office, Health and Human Services Department and Newton Public Schools are currently working on promoting out-of-school time for middle schoolers. While all young people benefit from out of school time activities that help them grow and learn, middle school tends to be an age when student participation decreases. While we are still in the early stages of this work, we have created a

While all young people benefit from out of school time activities that help them grow and learn, middle school tends to be an age when student participation decreases. While still in the early stages of this work, they have created a webpage on the City website to help families find summer options for their middle schooler, as well as provide other valuable information like financial aid tips, helpful links and more. They will be continually adding more to the webpage in the coming months but with summer coming up, wanted to share now to help with planning. Feedback and ideas are welcome.

Click here for a link to the Middle School resources web page.

Summer tutoring

ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for in-home SUMMER tutoring to stay sharp and ahead! Effective, personalized and convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation. For Rising Seniors, check out their College Admission Essay Workshops in Newton in June and July.

For details please visit the website at www.activemindstutoring.com.

Summer Academic Coaching Sessions

Parents are aware of the phenomenon called “Summer Brain Drain”. This can be prevented by having a professional academic coach work with your student on writing, math, or a multitude of other areas during July and August. Next Level Up Academic Coaching can provide the push, focus, and perspective needed for your student to begin the next school year with momentum and hit the ground running. They have been working with Newton families since 2009 and their professional academic coaches help students build all of the necessary skills to be successful: organizational and time management skills, effort, fundamentals, and positive study habits. Contact for a quick response. 781-540-1123, info@nextleveluptutoring.com,  www.nextleveluptutoring.com.

Summer tutoring

Experienced tutor available this summer. A former public school teacher who is currently working at MassBay Community College, Haralie Alpert tutors K-5th grade reading, writing and math and also works with middle school, high school and college age students (writing, note taking, summarizing stories/text, organizational skills, test preparation, self-advocacy). Please contact Haralie Alpert, M.Ed., MS at haralie@gmail.com or 617-630-0608.

Call Y3K tutor in your home today

Their many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting has developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, be understood, and be remembered. Y3K tutors special ed. such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Executive Function, and gifted, regular ed. and test preparation. In addition to academic subjects, they teach children organizational skills, homework coaching, study skills, and time management.

All subjects and ages are taught. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or visit http://www.Y3KTutorInYourHome.com.

 

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Newton Families:

Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students is an important system goal. It is essential that we work in partnership with families on important issues that impact our students. I am writing because we have become aware that many of our students are watching and discussing a new Netflix series entitled 13 Reasons Why, the content of which is challenging and difficult.

The series is based on a young adult novel by Jay Asher originally published in 2011. The story focuses on a high school student who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13 tapes detailing why she took her own life. The Netflix series contains graphic scenes of suicide and sexual assault/rape. It also addresses issues of cyber-bullying, alcoholism, and depression.

As a community that has felt the tragic impact of youth suicide, we are particularly concerned about the content of this series. These issues are extraordinarily challenging and may be difficult for some students to process in a healthy and appropriate way. We want to ensure that families are not only aware of the show, but are equipped with resources to help them address these issues with their children.

As a family, we encourage you to:

  • Check in with your child to find out if they have watched the show or what they might know about it.
  • If they want to see the show, watch it with them or preview it for them. You are the best person to determine if your child is prepared to handle the content.
  • If they have already watched it, take the opportunity to open a dialogue about the important yet difficult issues portrayed in the story.

The following resources provide important guidance on the issues addressed in the show, as well as talking points for having a meaningful conversation with your child.

National Association of School Psychologists (Background)
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators

Jed Foundation (Issues raised)
https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-jed-point-view/

Jed Foundation/Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Talking Points)
https://www.save.org/13-reasons-why/

Riverside Trauma Center – PDF (Guiding Questions)

We know these issues are challenging and I hope this information is helpful. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor directly.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Hilarious production

Disco and Moliere! An hilarious 17th Century French comedy updated to 1970’s New York. Moliere’s ‘The Bourgeois Gentleman’ or ‘The Would-Be Hipster’, is about a commoner who has inherited some money, and wishes to use it to become what he is not – a gentleman, or in this version, one ‘wild and crazy guy’. M. Jourdain is baffled by his tutors, and hilarity ensues as he tries to learn how to be cool. Replete with disco dance and musical interludes, and the requisite star-crossed lovers who must trick M. Jourdain into allowing them to marry.

Watch local favorite, Linda Goetz, play M. Jourdain as a boorish 1970s New Yorker who has suddenly come into money and is trying to impress everyone with his “alternative facts!” A hilarious production by Newton Theatre Company, directed by Melissa Bernstein
Tickets $20.00 adults/$15.00 seniors/$10.00 students at www.newtontheatrecompany.com

May 5th,  8:00 pm; May 6th,  8:00 pm;  May 7th, 2:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE

Come to the 5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE, their only event of the year. This event gives you an opportunity to walk the grounds, participate in unique and fun events and meet all the amazing people that receive and provide services at the center. Additionally, guide dogs and family pets and welcome to walk. It’s a great day with music, a cookout and all kinds of games and giveaways. All of the activities offer unique opportunities for both sighted and visually impaired people to participate. For example, instead of baseball, they have beepball, where the ball “beeps” and this enables the kids with visual impairments to know when to swing. The same accessibility occurs with a putt putt golf game.

The day is designed to engage everyone and show kids, their friends, families and the community how active and independent blind and visually impaired people can be. As neighbors within the community, this event will bring all who attend closer to understanding our differences.

This year, students 16 and under are free which means they can attend the event together, use teamwork to fundraise for their team and even win prizes for participation. This day is the perfect combination of fun, education, inclusion and community.

To donate or register head to carroll.org/walk.

May 21st, 10 am – 2:00 pm
770 Centre Street, Newton

Seeking Child Scientists!

Harvard’s Lab for Developmental Studies investigates how children learn, use language and think. The lab is located near the Harvard Square T-station and they provide parking permits for drivers. The studies are designed as games in which children answer questions about pictures or videos. Additionally, parents may complete questionnaires about their children’s development.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child for the whole session, and research assistants are available to supervise siblings. Each child receives a small toy as a “thank you.” Parents receive $5 as travel compensation.

Interested? Call 617-496- 7175 for more information about how to get involved.

Summer writing camp

Summer Ink, a writing camp based at Simmons College, has several openings for rising 7th-10th graders. Campers engage in exciting activities, explore Boston, and write about their experiences, with the guidance of instructors trained in the WEX method.

You can learn about the Simmons Camp for grades 5-8 and Boston & Beyond  for grades 9 & 10 on the website. Full and partial scholarships available to income-eligible families.
If interested, register online at  http://summerink.org/enrollment/register/. There is no fee to register, and after registration they will contact the family to offer financial assistance.