Tag Archives: mid

Emergency Housing Relief Program

Are you struggling to pay your rent because you have lost income due to COVID-19?

The City of Newton in partnership with Metro West Collaborative Development is providing three months of rent assistance to qualified individuals and families. Please see the flyer HERE and visit the web page at COVID-19 EMERGENCY HOUSING RELIEF PROGRAM for details and application instructions. The application deadline is June 3, 2020.

This information is also available in Arabic الترجمة العربية ; Chinese 简体中文; Japanese 日本語; Korean 한국어; Portuguese português; Russian русский; Spanish español; Turkish Türk Dili; and Vietnamese Tiếng Việt.

Contact Robyn to begin the process by emailing robyn@metrowestcd.org or calling 617-923-3505 x 5. Translation services available. Applications received after June 3rd will be added to the bottom of the list and considered while funding lasts.

Latin tutor available

Preethika Vemula, a rising sophomore at Newton South High School, is offering online tutoring services in Latin. She is available Monday through Friday from June 29th to August 28th and is offering classes to students in Middle School or in levels Latin I – III in High School.

Preethika studied Latin for the past three years and has peer tutoring background. She learned all basic grammar and has experience with beginner prose and poetry. She received a silver medal and Maxima Cum Laude certificate in Level III of the National Latin Exam.

Please contact Preethika by emailing vemulaptk@gmail.com.

Summer programs for public speaking and debate!

Lumos is running online summer programs through Zoom that teach public speaking and debate! All Lumos programs have a 4:1 student-teacher ratio and offer daily one-on-one coaching sessions with the instructors. Each day is designed to be fun, engaging, and active, even in an online format! Go to LumosDebate.com to register for summer!

They are are also running 1-day trial workshops 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, from May 23rd to June 7th. Sign up for a trial workshop at https://www.lumosdebate.com/summer-posts/trial-workshop.

General Support Resource

The Newton Public Schools, in collaboration with Newton Health and Human Services, is providing a support phone number for families with children enrolled in our schools. This service is staffed by Newton Public Schools counselors and is designed to support families experiencing food scarcity, housing scarcity, domestic or substance abuse, and other mental health struggles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The phone number, 617-559-6021, is answered live Monday -Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm and is equipped with voicemail.

Help the Newton Food Pantry by making face masks

Want to help the Newton Food Pantry by doing an at-home craft project?

Consider making and donating cloth face masks that are individually packaged in a ziplock bag for distribution to Food Pantry clients. These mask donations can be dropped off at 36 Metacomet Road or at 61 Ballard Street.

Help them meet their goal of 400 masks!

Greetings from Newton Free Library!

The Newton Free Library staff have cooked up another exciting week of virtual offerings to help you stay connected and engaged from the comfort of your home. Read all the way down to learn about opportunities for adults, teens and tweens, and kids!

Calling all Makers and Crafters! Librarians have created an impressive Virtual Makerspace Guide. The guide is broken into sections by age and skill level to get you creating with tools you have at home. The Low Tech section focuses on drawing and fiber arts, the Medium Tech area highlights cooking, gardening, and sewing, and if you’re a High-Tech maker, there are sections on 3-D printing, robotics, and web design. Kids will love the painting, weaving, and puppet projects and tweens and teen audiences can tackle creating personalized Zoom backgrounds, temporary tattoos, and sewing projects.

Virtual Trivia Night. Join on May 14th at 7:00 pm to test your knowledge of books that were made into movies. Library staff will challenge players with questions from a variety of categories on Zoom. One registration per team; the Zoom link will be sent out a few hours before the event.

NEW Adult Events:
Beginner Drawing Studio on May 12th at 6:30 pm. This workshop will help you understand how your brain interprets the world and give you the tools to start drawing fearlessly! Learn new skills and join a community of creative practice. All levels welcome.

Saddle Stitching Booklets: Introduction to Basic Bookbinding on May 13th at 2:00 pm. Learn basic bookbinding as you make simple folded booklets using the saddle stitch with supplies you are likely to have around the house. You’ll see an informational video with step-by-step instructions and be available for questions and support.

Virtual Knitting Circle on May 13th at 6:30 pm. Are you missing your regular knitting circle? Or are you looking for folks to craft with for chat and advice? If so, come join the virtual knitting circle! Whether you’re just starting out, an advanced fiber artist, or somewhere in between, grab your project and come chat.

Generation Zapped Q&A on May 13th at 10:00 am. Learn more about how wireless devices may impact your health by emitting radiation. Watch the movie Generation Zapped anytime before the program on the Library’s Kanopy service, then join the group for a Q&A with Cecelia (Cece) Doucette, Technology Safety Educator and Dr. Judy Tsafrir, a Newton-based holistic adult and child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Registrants will receive an email with the zoom link the day of the event.

Genealogy Resources on May 14th at 11:00 am. Join a brief overview of some online genealogy resources.

Introduction to Citizen Science on May 14th at 12:00 pm. Citizen Science is real science investigation conducted by you the average Citizen! From experiments on the International Space Station to exploring the inhabitants of tide pools there are investigations that will appeal to all ages. Join this workshop to discover how you can become a scientist too! You don’t need a background in science—just interest and enthusiasm!

Don’t Take the Bait – Finding Fact Based News on May 15th at 10:00 am. Learn new strategies to help you sift through what is exaggerated, misleading or completely false to find more accurate information and become better consumers of digital news during coronavirus and in general.

Positive/Negative Space: Drawing for Beginners on May 15th at 2:00 pm. Drawing is a skill anyone can learn. Explore how negative and positive spaces can help shape your drawing skills. Discover some of the tricks and methods taught in art school. All you need is a pencil and paper.

NEW Tween/Teen Events :
Magic the Gathering on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Interested in finding a virtual meet up to play Magic: The Gathering after school? Come to Zoom! Moderated by a local Newton South student, please download Magic the Gathering Arena.

Virtual Teen Area on Saturdays at 3:00 pm the Teen Area is going virtual! Use this time to be together at home, ask questions, play games, complete challenges, and craft! This is a librarian-moderated Zoom program hosted for tweens and teens in grades 5-12.

NEW Children’s Events:
Pajama Storytime on May 11th at 7:00 pm. Put on your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal friend to pajama storytime on Zoom! For kids ages 4 and older.

Kids Craft! on Tuesday afternoons, check the Kids Facebook Page for a new DIY craft video for kids age 5-8. The current craft video is creating a nature diary, and on May 12th, they’ll release a video to show you how you can make a cool paper hat!

Kids Poetry Club Do you love discovering new poems? Would you like to listen to a librarian or author reading their favorite poems aloud? Every Thursday you’ll receive the Kids Poetry Club email featuring video links, writing prompts, and reading suggestions for budding young poets. This week we are celebrating the poems from the book Spectacular Science edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. For kids ages 6-9.

Facebook Challenges for Kids. Each Wednesday and Friday, discover a new activity challenge on the Kids Facebook Page! This Wednesday’s Lego Challenge is Tallest Tower! Friday’s Art Challenge is Simply Silly Collage! Families are encouraged to send a picture of their child’s creation to newtonkids@newtonfreelibrary.net to be shared on the library’s social media. For kids ages 5-8.

Virtual Morning Storytimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am. Zoom in for online stories, songs and rhymes for kids 4 and younger.

Wait there’s more! Don’t miss the continuing programming:

  • Tech Time appointments: Need help with your device or to borrow ebooks from the library? Book a session to have a librarian help you over the phone. Appointments available Monday-Friday.
  • Tele-Librarian: You’ve got questions? Sign up for an appointment for a librarian to assist you with a research-related question.
  • Star Wars Virtual Escape Room available anytime. BB-8’s missing! Try to find him before Kylo Ren gets to him and is able to download the map to find out where Luke Skywalker is! May the force be with you. (For all ages)
  • Teen Zoom Poetry Mondays at 7:00 pm. (For grades 7-12).
  • Virtual Jackbox Party Games Tuesdays at 4:00 pm. (For grades 5-12).
  • Virtual Queer Netflix Party Fridays at 4:30 pm. (For grades 7-12).
  • Stack ‘Em Up Youth Spring Reading Challenge. You can earn badges by logging the books you are reading and participate in fun activities through June 30th. For all ages.
  • Call Dial-a-Story line at 617-796-1415 to listen to a new story each day read by one of the Children’s Librarians.
  • Stay tuned for even more great remote offerings from your Library!

Honor Thy Teacher

Over these past weeks, many parents have developed a deep appreciation for the job that our teachers do each day. Here is a way to say thank you.

By donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program in the name of one or more teachers, you can show your appreciation for them AND support your children’s schools.

In recent weeks, NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with a $85,500 grant for the Newton Public Schools to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures. Dollars raised will go to funding grants for promising educational initiatives, professional development and programs that close gaps in opportunity and achievement.

NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

It’s easy to donate online at http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher .

Breathing Room- A Place for Special Families

Join Breathing Room, a FaceBook private group for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Members may be caring for kids with any kind of special need from subtle to severe.

Cindy Kaplan will be guiding the group with wisdom from Conscious Parenting, her years of yoga practice, and 18 years of experience learning from her daughter, Mira, who has significant special needs. Cindy is a local Conscious Parent and Family Coach with an MA in Psychology. She has been working with parents and families for over 20 years through private practice, workshops, group coaching, and speaking engagements.

No surprise, there will be a deep focus on self-care and learning how to deconstruct generations of patterns and beliefs so that you can free yourselves from guilt, the “shoulds and what ifs”, and ultimately take care of yourselves so that you can truly be the best that you  can be for your children.

Please take a look, and share with those you know who could benefit from being a part of a community that will allow them to feel less alone and more whole.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/657935261443585/

Zoom Open Houses for Highlands After School Program

The Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, is hosting Zoom Open Houses for interested families in May and June. Here’s the link for additional information on how to join:

https://www.highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org/announcements

SPACE IS LIMITED! This is a terrific opportunity for parents learn more about the program as they plan for the upcoming school year. If you can’t make an Zoom meeting or would like more information contact Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit the website https://www.highlandsafter-schoolprogram.

Updated Learning Plan and Summer/Fall Plans

Dear NPS Families,

I write to share two important updates with you. The first is an update on our distance learning plan based upon both updated guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and survey feedback from families, staff, and high school students. The second update is on planning for summer and the 2020-21 school year.

Distance Learning

Thank you to all families who took the time to provide feedback on our distance learning plan. Below are some key takeaways from the staff, family, and high school student surveys:

Key Survey Findings

  • For staff, one of the significant challenges of distance learning is concern for vulnerable students and ensuring equitable access and engagement for all students.
  • The majority of parents/guardians responded that the amount of time that their child is interacting with teachers in real time is not enough.
  • The majority of parents/guardians at elementary and middle school responded that the amount of time their child is doing work or activities provided by teachers is just right. At preschool, the majority said it is not enough. High school parents/guardians were closely split between not enough and just right.
  • For high school students, 84% found the amount of work being provided as either just right or a bit too much. 58% of students are spending 2-4 hours per day “doing school.” 76% of all students find the challenge level of learning activities just right.

Updates to Distance Learning Plan

Given the state guidance, along with the feedback above, and working closely with our NTA partners, below is a list of the key changes that will be implemented as we proceed with our distance learning plan:

  • As many have already begun, teachers and staff will give students opportunities to learn new content and skills, while continuing to review and reinforce key concepts. The focus will be on a limited number of key topics and skills to prepare students for the next grade.
  • In our elementary schools, weekly schedules will be revised so that students will have at least four opportunities per week to connect live with a staff member, one of whom will be a specialist.
  • In our middle schools, we will add a weekly advisory or community meeting of 30 minutes at all schools to promote engagement and connection and to support students as they organize their work for the week.
  • At the high school level, the class schedule will be adjusted to allow classes to run for up to 30 minutes as educationally appropriate.

Our distance learning plan continues to place connection with school and social emotional support for students as a top priority. We know that families continue to experience this pandemic very differently and we seek to respect those differences. Providing regular connections with teachers and staff, as well as meaningful academic work, will be the focus of our plan for the remainder of the academic year. 

Summer and Fall Planning

We know that you have many questions about plans for both summer programming and the 2020-21 school year. While there are more questions than answers at this point, please know that our primary consideration will be the health and wellness of our students, staff, and school communities. We will be working closely with health officials to plan for school opening, while understanding that our plans will need to be flexible given the unknown duration of this public health crisis.

For the summer, we are awaiting state guidance on school programs, camps, and other services. We expect that some of our programs will need to be remote, with potentially some opportunity for in person interaction. We will provide you updates and information as we receive guidance and determine what is possible.

For the fall, we are creating planning teams to prepare for the many possible scenarios. One area of focus will be operations, including building cleaning protocols, bussing, food service, social distancing protocols, among many others. A second key area of focus will be our educational model and how public health considerations will impact scheduling, course content, and social-emotional support for our students. This team will develop a range of scenarios to accommodate the various guidelines that may be put in place to protect public health. We will continue to keep you updated as our planning moves forward.

As we embark upon the final six weeks of this truly unprecedented school year, I am struck by the creativity of our staff, the resilience of our students, and the kindness of our school community. While the past 8 weeks have been incredibly stressful, sometimes frustrating and sad, and always uncertain, I am hopeful that some of the life lessons learned by our children will serve them well. I hope you and your family are healthy and well.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools