Author Archives: caroline-w

ELL Summer Enrichment

Check out online ELL enrichment this summer. There are Story Times and Conversation Groups being offered over 8 weeks of the summer at the elementary level. These groups are meant to be a fun and engaging way for your child to practice their English and meet other students their age. Additionally, there will be Spanish and Portuguese Story Hours for students who speak these languages as their home language.

There is no need to pre register. This is a drop in activity. Just click on the zoom links in this page to join the group on the day of the class.

If you need help or more information, please contact Allison Levit at levita@newton.k12.ma.us

Science Mentoring Program

The Newton South Science Team is starting a middle school mentorship program to give interested students an introduction to high school science. COVID-19 unfortunately has cut the middle school science curriculum short, and it would be beneficial to rising freshmen (and younger students) to not only regain some of that lost time over the summer, but also interact with high schoolers.

They’ll be going over the basics of physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as other topics like engineering. Science Team members would love to mentor anyone with an interest in learning about science. For more information simply fill out this survey!

https://forms.gle/SusqYfoMfxryFdMe8

Children’s Summer Drawing Challenge

Join a community of people coming together online during the pandemic this summer with Schools for Children’s Summer Drawing Challenge, #SFCDrawingChallenge.

Sign up for free and get a new drawing prompt daily from July 1st – August 31st. Draw as often or as little as you like, and gain new skills. For more information click here bit.ly/SFCDrawingChallenge.

Update from the School Committee

Dear Friends,

This update covers the 6/22/2020 Newton School Committee meeting. Before we present the information about our meeting, we wanted to draw your attention to an upcoming survey that the district will ask you to complete. This is our primary opportunity to hear from you! We urge you to take the time to complete this survey so that it can truly reflect your perspective and feedback. It will be used to help plan for next year.

Next, having concluded the most unlikely and improbable school year imaginable, we hope that each of you, parents, guardians and students, take this time to recuperate and heal from the emotional and mental drain of the last few months. Many of our administrative team, our faculty and staff are still working hard to envision various scenarios for school next year. Given the magnitude of the challenge before them, we hope that they will soon get to enjoy a richly deserved break which it is restorative and filled with self-care.

Superintendent’s Update:

  • We’ve spent lots of time addressing our inability to honor, in person, our transitioning and graduating students, but another group who can’t be traditionally honored are retiring faculty. Our gratitude and best wishes to:
    • Joe Siciliano, Newton North math teacher, retiring after 52 years of teaching in the Newton Public Schools.
    • Loreta Lamberti, Principal at Angier Elementary for 32 years. Loreta was passionate about building a positive school culture, developing strong and lasting relationships with families and was a leader on social and emotional learning before it was even a term.
    • John Jordan, Principal at Brown Middle School for 31 years. John led by listening, learning and caring. In addition to Middle School Advisory, which he started, John’s legacy is the number of teachers who served under him who are now Newton Principals.

Discussions/Update:

  • Summer and Fall Planning:
    • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidance for the fall will differ from summer guidance. Fall guidance expected as early as 6/23/2020. The State will likely have a continuum of models and we will need to prepare for three scenarios (modified in-person, hybrid of some students in and some out, and full Distance Learning) depending on the public health status.
    • What do we know about the fall right now? Continue reading →

Mother’s Helper Available!

Are you looking for some help this summer with the kids at home? Need someone to take kids to the playground, kick a ball around, get some sprinkler fun going, read stories and play games?

Fun, responsible Newton South boy would love to help you out. Jesse, a rising sophomore, studied child development at NS at the preschool program. Working with one regular family, he would love to find another. Jesse lives in Newton Highlands and is really mobile by bike or T.  Affordable and flexible, he can’t wait to get to know your kids. Please email  Jayblood11@gmail.com.

College Essay Workshop

Write your college essay in a fun, interactive summer workshop! Led by master educator and writing coach Vered Strapp, this four-day workshop will walk you through the process of brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising a college essay that puts your best self forward. Using Vered’s detailed feedback and individualized approach, you will leave the workshop feeling confident in your completed Common App essay.

Vered Strapp has served on the faculty at Gann Academy for fourteen years teaching English to grades 9-12. She is a graduate of Newton North High School. She holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard University and an M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Teaching writing is Vered’s passion. She enjoys making a personal connection with students and families who work with her.

The workshop will take place online on July 14th, 16th, 21st, and 23rd from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon. For more information, please email vmstrapp@gmail.com.

Summer Volleyball Camp/Clinics

Tuesday and Thursday Night Doubles at Oak Hill Fields
Highly recommended for those interested in Newton South volleyball. Starting June 30th, a top program is happening right in our backyard at the Oak Hill/Brown fields. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, participate in a doubles clinic that will involve a lot of learning and even more playing. This program lasts for six weeks, ending August 6th.

Nothing accelerates your learning like playing lots of doubles! They’ll meet or exceed all state and city guidelines for Covid-safety in sport camps to ensure this is the safest possible.

Sign up soon while spaces are available (8 player limit per court). Learn more about the clinic and sign up here: https://www.bostonuvc.com/beach

Owls Volleyball Sand Doubles Camp
This is a full day doubles camp running at the indoor sand courts at Joust Volleyball in Norwood. There is a six week camp and a three week camp.

All safety guidelines will be followed, including screening and disinfectant stations. This is an opportunity to play a ton of sand doubles in a camp + tournament setting, and really accelerate your game. Spots are very limited. Learn more and sign up here: https://owlsvolleyballclub.sportngin.com/obvc.

If you have any questions about the Owls Volleyball Camps, send an email to owlsvolleyballclub@gmail.com

Safe, Small group and 1-1 Sport Training for athletes 8+

Throughout the summer, Boston Athletic Training is offering training sessions at Newton  North HS and Cabot Park in everything from basketball and football skills to speed and strength training. They offer 1-1 training and small groups for athletes 8+ at all levels!

Group sessions are run with good social distancing (6+ feet apart from each other and coaches) and athletes sanitizing hands between breaks. The current special offer allows new athletes to try out a group session for $30.00 or a 1-1 at the trial price of $60.00.

Read more on the website https://bostonathletictraining.com/