Tag Archives: mid

Newton PTO Council 2019-06-13 19:25:08

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 6/10/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update:

  • Both NNHS and NSHS hosted successful graduation ceremonies. Good luck to the Class of 2019!

Agenda Items:

  • Liam Hurley, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, and Josh Morse, Newton’s Public Buildings Commissioner. presented a facilities update focused on the Newton Early Childhood Program building. Initial cost estimates are over budget so they are exploring options to reduce costs. One key cost is the two classrooms planned to be constructed by infilling the gym. An exterior addition will now be considered. It was noted that none of these changes will affect the plan to have air conditioning, a separate van drop-off loop, and an appropriate playground.
  • Toby Romer, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, presented a School Start Time, Schedule and Transportation Update. Three options were presented for possible shifts to the start time with a goal set of implementing a new start time by Fall of 2020. Steps to get there include community input and negotiating a successful contract with the NTA. The start time presentationoutlines the three options. For a deeper dive, please see the full transportation report.
  • Newton Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) co-chairs Christine Carey and Rajeev Parlikar, presented an End of Year Report.  They also referenced a more detailed report which covered broad  themes, success and areas of improvement.
  • The NPS administrative team gathered to share several year-end reports including Superintendent’s Goals and Systemwide Goals. The School Committee will discuss these in greater detail at the next scheduled meeting.

Consent Agenda

  • The School Committee voted unanimously to re-elect Diana Fisher Gomberg as the EDCO Board Member.
  • The School Committee voted unanimously to approve several grants.
  • The School Committee voted unanimously to approve the 5/13/2019 minutes.

Next Meeting

On Monday June 17 at 7:00pm, we will hear a Fiscal and Operational Update, a Facilities Update, an Equity Committee Update and an Equity Working Group Update. We will also be discussing the Superintendent’s Assessment.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org. On the district Facebook page, you can find videos of past “Virtual Office Hours,” which are held once a month and provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions through the Facebook Live format.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

The Newton School Committee

Paddles and Picnics

The Crystal Lake Conservancy and the Newton Parks and Recreation Department invite you to come to a Sunday afternoon of activities on Crystal Lake.

Participants may sign up for half hour slots between 1:00 – 4:30 pm to enjoy the pleasures of canoeing/kayaking/paddle boarding. A lifeguard will be on duty and all participants will be required to wear life jackets and sign a waiver. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while on the water.

A $15 donation per canoe/kayak/paddleboard supports the Crystal Lake Conservancy’s efforts to keep Crystal Lake healthy. To learn more, visit www.CrystalLakeConservancy.org or call Janice Bourque at 617-967-0797.

June 16th (rain date June 23rd), 1:00 – 5:00 pm
20 Rogers Street, Newton Highlands

Planning for Arts & Culture in Newton – Please take a brief survey

The City of Newton is currently undertaking a 7-month planning process to create a Comprehensive Arts & Cultural Plan for the City.

The plan, entitled Create Newton, will identify all of Newton’s arts and cultural assets – from our buildings and non-profits, to the events and festivals we host, to the local traditions and initiatives in our villages and neighborhoods. We will explore how arts and cultural goals and interests are aligned with our businesses, recreational opportunities, and commercial districts, and identify goals, set out recommendations, and seek opportunities to collaborate and expand our pool of funding.

Input from parents, and children 12 years and older, who enjoy Newton’s arts and cultural events is greatly valued. Please take 10 minutes to complete this anonymous survey to assist in the planning process: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWJW2QH

(Please note that the survey is best taken on your computer and not on your smart phone or smaller device.)

Welcoming Newton Survey

“Welcoming Newton” is a grassroots effort led by a pair of Newton citizens to support newcomers to our city while also furthering the engagement of all residents in all things related to life in Newton. They are in their developmental stages and are conducting a survey of current Newton residents.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to fill out. Click here to participate: https://forms.gle/gtt3Lhq3iByLLonq8

Registration is open for the Newton Girls Soccer Summer Clinic

The clinic curriculum will focus on teaching individual techniques and tactics that are vital for all soccer players in a FUN and EXCITING environment. Players will be divided into groups based on age and ability and taught new skills each by experienced Professional Trainers.

For additional details and registration instructions, please visit https://newtongirlssoccer.org/home/programs/camps/.

August 3-Day Vacation Clinic: August 6th – 8th,  9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Weeks Field
Typical Daily Schedule
9:00 – 9:15 – Warm Up – Small Sided Fun Games and Juggling Challenges
9:15 – 10:15 – Technical/Skills Session Theme of the Day
10:15 – 10:45 – Shooting and Finishing Games
10:45 – 11:15 – Snack, Kids Tricks and Coaches Challenge
11:15 – 12:00 – Large group FUN clinic game
12:00 – 1:00 – Small Sided Scrimmage Games

Cost: $240 (3 days); $180 (2 days); $90 (1 day)

 

Newton Girls Soccer

Did you know that more than 1300 girls and 250 volunteers participate in Newton Girls Soccer each season? NGS strives to give each player the opportunity to learn and play soccer in a supportive and rewarding environment that emphasizes fun, individual skills development, teamwork and sportsmanship, all at a level that fits her interest and ability.

Registration is open for the Fall 2019 Juniors and City Soccer Programs at  https://newtongirlssoccer.org/home/register/

The NGS Juniors and City programs offer a recreation-focused soccer experience that emphasizes fun, health and exercise and is open to girls entering Kindergarten through 9th grade who live in or attend school in Newton. Players of all skill levels are welcome to register.

As a community-based program, each team includes a mix of girls from multiple neighboring schools. However, they honor one mutual friend request per player for girls registered by August 1st and make every effort to place players on a team with at least one schoolmate. For additional details and registration instructions, please visit newtongirlssoccer.org.

Summer Art Programs at the Y

The West Suburban Y is offering five different weeks of full-day programming, including an introductory arts and music workshop (Explorations!), a deeper dive into the music business (Rock Band), and an opportunity for singers 10+ to learn both a cappella and Broadway repertoire (Vocal Workshop).

Youth of all ages are welcome, and there’s a program for everyone!  For more information and to sign up, click www.wsymca.org/arts. Financial Assistance is also available for all programs. Visit  https://www.wsymca.org/membership/financial-assistance.

Looking for Summer and Next Fall dance class options?

All That Jazz Dance Studio in Nonantum is still accepting registration for their award winning dance classes! It is not too late to sign up for dance camp in August and summer session running in July and August.

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is ongoing as well. Please contact Miss Deb Lifson Vogel (a fellow Newton Parent!) at missdeb@allthatjazznewton.com or 617-641-0784 for more information about this wonderful dance community.

Register online at www.allthatjazznewton.com!

Free Summer Music program

Boston Music Institute is offering a FREE morning orchestra program this August at Driscoll School in Brookline. There will be three, week-long sessions, and students may sign up for one, two or three weeks.

BMI also offers optional, low-cost afternoon small ensembles and SAT/SSAT/ACT prep classes. The free large ensemble runs 9:30 am to Noon and is for Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion – ages 8 to 19.

The goal of this program is to provide students from beginning through advanced-intermediate instrumental ability with a rigorous and fun ensemble playing experience, taught by high-level instructors from BMI, in order to grow and develop their individual musicianship and group playing. For more infoamtion, visit Boston Music Institute (BMI).