Author Archives: caroline-w

Writing Tutor available

Is your student stressed out over school papers or college applications? Do you wish s/he had more one-on-one writing help? Are you looking to improve essay composition skills?

Celina Siegel,  a Newton South alum and Oberlin College student, is an adept English and writing student with a passion for editing. She has a strong track record of working with both high school students and fellow college freshmen, especially regarding persuasive analytical essays and essays for the Common Application. She can help make writing more fluid, more persuasive, and more succinct.

To schedule an appointment or learn more, feel free to email at cs*****@*****in.edu, or call 617-775-7591.

Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to start dusting off those running (or walking) shoes! The 23rd annual Heartbreak Hill Road Race and Family Walk is a perfect way to shake off some of that cabin fever! The course is one mile – up and down historic Heartbreak Hill, the day before the Boston Marathon! Every runner receives an official digital-clock time, a race medallion, goody bag and a free ticket to the pre-race pasta party at Newton City Hall on Saturday, April 18th.

The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place runners in each category win a trophy! There are free games and activities organized by Steve DeMasco’s Shaolin Studios of Wellesley and the Lasell College Special Events students. Not a runner? Everyone can walk the course at 11:30 am. Register at www.newtoncommunitypride.org. The first 500 registrations receive a free t-shirt.

April 19th, Newton City Hall

Newton Spelling Bees

A fun and educational Spelling Bee for Newton children in grades K – 5. Children compete within their grade level only. The 1st place prize winner receives a gift certificate from Learning Express, and all spellers receive a goody bag to celebrate their hard work.

Registered spellers can participate in a ‘Pre-Bee’ coaching session held by Chung Dahm Read Write on March 8th at Newton City Hall. There are still openings in Grades K, 3rd, 4th & 5th. Register at www.newtoncommunitypride.org. Call 617-796-1540 for more information.

Spelling Bees will be held on March 23rd, March 24th, March 30th, March 31st and April 6th at Newton City Hall.

Planning for the future at the elementary level

December 2014

Dear Newton Families,

As many of you are aware, we have begun an exciting time of facilities renovation and expansion in the Newton Public Schools.  The recently renovated Carr School, which is currently housing the Angier School during its renovation, is a terrific modern facility.  We expect our Long Range Facilities Plan to continue for many years.  A key aspect of this plan is not only the rebuilding and renovation of aging buildings but also expanding their capacity to meet the needs of our growing population.  A new Angier school will open in January 2016, with Zervas to follow in September 2017.  A renovated or rebuilt Cabot is planned for January 2018.

We currently have schools that are over crowded and a few schools that will soon reach expanded capacity.  As a result, we will address the student assignment process, a task that will involve moving elementary boundary lines. We expect that the student assignment plans will be addressed in phases, in order to match the timing of the various school construction and/or renovation projects.  The initial phase for the first three schools will be addressed this year and additional phases will occur as the plan for rebuilding/renovating elementary schools continues for the next 15-20 years.

I am well aware that shifting elementary boundary lines represents a significant change.  Please keep in mind that most residences across the City will remain in their current districts.  However, our space challenges necessitate some movement.  As a result, we have created a Student Assignment Working Group, which will develop criteria for evaluating various assignment scenarios based on mapping data and other information.  A recommendation will be made to the School Committee by the end of the school year.

We fully appreciate that communication and community engagement are essential when making such changes.  In addition to providing regular updates at School Committee meetings, there will be public meetings that will focus solely on this topic.  Student assignment planning will be on the agenda when School Committee members join me at PTO meetings in each of the schools over the next few months.

Our goal is to develop a process that is thoughtful and sensitive.  We will be certain to update you over the course of the year and further information will be provided on our website.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Summer camp auction

Get ready for the Bowen PTO’s first-ever online summer camp auction! Starting January 5th at midnight, you can go online to bid on a wide variety of day and overnight summer camps and other great experiences for your family. You’ll get a great deal on the camp of your choice and help Bowen meet their fundraising goals for the playground revitalization campaign.

Items recently added include:

  • Red Sox Camp
  • Celtics Camp
  • Kumon Reading and Learning Center
  • Newton Community Education…….and many more!

There is a something here for every family, including older siblings​ – like a Film Academy for 14-17 year olds.​​ Check out the auction website: www.bowenpto.org/campauction. Also, make sure you are ready to bid by registering with Bidding for Good. You can do so at www.bowenpto.org/campauction.

Choose your Own Adventure!

Thinking about your camp options for Summer 2015? Browse the Williams PTO camp auction https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=221324907 now through January 12th with Bidding for Good.

There are numerous opportunities for partial week, full-week and sleepover camps. You will surely find the perfect adventure for your children!  www.biddingforgood.com/williamspto/adventure.