Author Archives: caroline-w

2020 Newton Schools Foundation Honor Thy Teacher

If you are looking for a way to say “Thank You!” to your child’s teacher or other school support person as this extremely unusual school year comes to a close, please consider Newton Schools Foundations’ Honor Thy Teacher campaign. This program provides an opportunity for families to thank school personnel by giving a gift to the Newton Schools Foundation in their honor, while also complying with the Newton Public Schools’ teacher gift policy.

Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance educational excellence throughout Newton’s public schools. Your gift will support NSF grants that go towards promising educational initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in opportunity and achievement.

After receiving each donation, NSF will notify the honored teachers and staff of your gift, share the honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals, and list each of those honored on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

If you have an elementary school child, look for a postcard arriving in your mail for NSF donation information. You can also always make your tax-deductible donation on-line at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org, or mail it to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459. Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring.

Launch of Library To-Go!

Do you miss borrowing physical books, movies, music and more from Newton’s library? The wait is nearly over. The Newton Free Library is launching “Library To-Go,” a new contactless hold and pickup service this week. This service will be available on an appointment only basis.

Now is a great time to place holds on library items through the online catalog so you are ready to take advantage of this new service.  Library staff will soon be contacting residents who already have items ready for pickup and sharing instructions on how to schedule a pickup reservation.

Have a book or movie to return? The Library is accepting returns via the book drop near the Library’s Homer Street entrance. (Returned materials will be held for a few days before they are checked in and readied for the next borrower, out of an abundance of caution.)

Virtual Library programming will continue for some time, and their talented team has prepared a dynamic week of programmings to keep you engaged and connected. Registration is required for all virtual events, please visit the Library website for a full listing of options and click the title to view full program descriptions and registration informations.

S.P.A.C.E. Camp 2020 Summer Program for Academic & Creative Endeavors

Virtual SPACE is a four week enrichment program specifically designed to enable campers to explore, learn, and connect with their peers under the guidance of highly qualified educators. The staff is excited and motivated to be working with small groups of campers and provide them with engaging and enriching activities.

SPACE has a long history of providing creative, fun, and engaging experiences for campers in Newton.  Virtual SPACE will continue to provide excellent and engaging programming for their campers and also hopes that Virtual SPACE can provide families with structure and stability for the month of July.

Lower Camp Programming 
Lower campers (campers entering kindergarten to 3rd grade) will explore and thrive in a small group setting. Lower camp will offer small group breakout rooms to facilitate authentic connections with staff and other campers. Campers will also engage in daily activities such as read aloud, arts and crafts, yoga and meditation, and Boxygen. Supply kits will be included for arts and crafts.

Upper Camp Programming
Upper Campers (campers entering 4th to 9th grades) will choose from a selection of electives to design their own schedule. These virtual electives will run for the entire four week program enabling in-depth study, project-based learning, and skill development. All electives were specifically chosen based on their capacity to continue to be engaging for campers in a virtual setting. The daily schedule will consist of three 45 minute electives (chosen by the camper) with two 15 minute independent breaks. Campers will have the opportunity to change their schedule during the first week of SPACE if they want, but their day to day routine will remain the same after that. Campers will be in small groups to enable connection with staff and campers, in addition to support and instruction from the highly qualified staff.

Early Registration for Virtual SPACE is $500.00 for the month. Families sending multiple campers will receive a $50.00 discount per camper. Registration will increase $50.00 per camper after June 12th.

Checks can be mailed to SPACE Camp:
100 Walnut St, Room 218, Newtonville, MA 02460

Session runs Monday July 6th- Thursday, July 30th
9:00 – 11:45 am

Learn more on the website https://sites.google.com/abschools.org/space-camp/home and register electronically here.

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Attention College Students!

Are you interested in tutoring kids in reading and/or math this summer? Kim Gallaugher, a Newton parent, SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) member and Speech-Language Pathologist  will be offering FREE trainings (online and/or in-person) on how to tutor elementary-aged kids in reading and math.

She will teach you how to work with young kids with special needs and help you find families in need of tutoring, either online or in-person. Education and Special Education majors/minors are preferred but if you are interested in working with young kids with special needs and willing to learn how to teach them, you are welcome to apply! Contact Kim at momofiggy@hotmail.com for more information.

Literacy Specialist/ESL Teacher Available

Newton mom and former Newton literacy specialist available for tutoring this summer, and possibly beyond! Over 15 years experience in education, and also the parent of two kids with complex learning and emotional needs.

State certified in ESL, Reading, Early Childhood, English. Pending certification in Mild/Moderate Special Needs. Know of other interested families? Put together a group for a more affordable rate!

Available for individual or group tutoring, enrichment, instruction, and  support. Experienced with all ages, prefer to work with prek-grade 5 students. Rates available upon request.

Please email Lessonswithlani2@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/lessonswithlani/
https://www.instagram.com/lessonswithlani/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbFXHNfDQgMLnRMB7myTFeA

K-12 Reading Program

The Boston University K-12 Reading Program has opened early, reduced rates, and converted all classes to a live online format, to help parents and schools maintain student education during these unusual times.

The live, teacher-led online classes are available now and throughout the summer, for Pre-K through 12th grade students.

The curriculum is high caliber and has been taught in a live, online format for 5 years already with over 50,000 school-age students. The classes are led by highly-trained teachers with many years’ experience teaching effectively in online classrooms. Skills taught include:

  • Early Elementary: letter recognition, phonemic awareness, sight words, phonics
  • Mid-to-Late Elementary: fluency, phonics, long-word decoding, comprehension, textbook reading, writing
  • Middle and High School: doubling reading speed, comprehension, writing, notetaking, test preparation, textbook strategies

For additional imformation, see the flyer here or visit the website  https://bu.readingclasses.org/.

 

Volunteers Needed! Outdoors! Socially Distant!

Volunteers are needed at the Newton Farmer’s Market to help make the markets safe and enjoyable this year. Can you lend a hand? Volunteers are needed for the following roles:

  • Count customers as they enter and exit the market.
  • Guide customers as they move through the market.
  • Make certain shoppers are following physical distancing guidelines.
  • Assist with curbside pick-up.
  • Assist farmers when needed.
  • Interactions with customers will be contact-free and appropriate physical distance will be maintained at all times.

    To volunteer, please contact Judy Dore at jdore@newtonma.gov

Both the Tuesday and Saturday markets are moving to Newton South High School!
Saturday market opens June 20th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Tuesday market opens June 30th, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Free story program

EveryBody Signs is offering a free story program: BOOKS for BREAKFAST! Come once, or come every time! Bring your family, invite your friends.

It’s by Zoom, so they’ll send the link when you email everybodysigns@gmail.com

See the flyer here and check out the vlog about it here, in ASL with captions
https://www.facebook.com/1131154270/posts/10221119992286039/?d=n

May 31st – June 28th, 9:00 – 9:30 am

News from the Newton Free Library

On the heels of Governor Baker’s state-wide reopening dates, the Newton Free Library is carefully planning a phased reopening that is uniquely tailored to the large and active public library.  They’re developing new work processes and will be rolling out a limited array of library services to the community in the coming weeks. While extremely eager to restore library services, this will be a gradual process because they are committed to your safety and the safety of their dedicated staff.

Virtual programming will continue for some time. Registration is required for all virtual events, please click the title to link to view the full program description and registration information.

Love the  Children’s Programming? Sign up here for the NEW Children’s Program Email!

Tween/Teen Event Highlights:

  • Virtual Anime Movie: Wednesdays at 5:00 pm. Missing anime club or movies with your friends? Join for a virtual anime movie! You’ll be watching NiNoKuni (2019). Runtime 106 minutes. Grades 5-12.
  • Zoom & Make: Crochet Basics: Every other Thursday at 5:00 pm. Learn to crochet a nifty washcloth or dishcloth you can use or give away! You’ll learn the basics of crochet and create a useful first project. You can try out the easy-to-follow pattern beforehand and join us in the Zoom class to work out any problems and chat! Grades 5-12.
  • Virtual Teen Area: Saturdays at 3:00 pm theTeen Area goes 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.

Wait there’s more! Don’t miss our continuing programming for
Adults:

  • 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, they’ve got answers! Sign up for an appointment for a librarian to assist you with a research-related question.
  • Weekly Short Story Discussion Group: Join each Wednesday for a discussion of 2 different short stories.
  • Curious Eats Cooking Blog Club: Do you like cooking and blogs? Combine those two interests and come talk to other people who enjoy those things. You’ll share photos of the dishes you’ve cooked each week from a chosen food blog.

Tween/Teen:

  • Magic The Gathering: Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Interested in finding a meet up to play Magic: The Gathering after school? We’ve found just the place: Zoom! Moderated by a local Newton South student, please download Magic the Gathering Arena. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. (For grades 5-12)
  • Star Wars 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)