Author Archives: caroline-w

Update from the School Committee

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 3/16/2020 and 3/19/2020 Newton School Committee meetings.  We have combined these two meetings into one newsletter as they were both regarding the proposed 2020-2021 Annual Budget.

Overview:

  • Our projected enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is 12,596 students, a projected decline of 15 students.
  • The FY21 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget is $244,645,343, and includes an $8.3 million increase.
  • The proposed budget aligns with the current goals including Academic Excellence, Educational Equity, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, School Facilities, Technology Infrastructure, Transportation, Diversity of Faculty, Staff and Leadership and Community Goals.

Instructional Areas:

Ready? Set? BID!

The Newton Early Childhood Program (NECP), Newton’s public preschool, is hosting its largest school/PTO fundraiser of the year starting March 26th. They won’t let COVID-19 stop their efforts.

Supporting NECP helps to support your own school’s future students. Why? Because NECP is the only school within NPS whose children will grow up to become the students of all 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools in Newton.

So get ready to bid for great deals on restaurants, summer camps, birthday parties, gym memberships, and more! Over 200 amazing items from across Newton and the Boston area. Auction proceeds will fund education enrichment programs, community-building events, and classroom materials for our city’s youngest learners.

Visit https://32auctions.com/necp

Bidding will end April 4th at 9pm. Good luck!

ActiveMinds Tutoring is Adaptable

ActiveMinds Tutoring is adaptable and ready to assist your transition. Their tutoring team is equipped with the resources to accommodate the limitations of online schooling and the needs of your child during this difficult time. Through tutoring, mentorship, and coaching, they are prepared to offer meaningful learning experiences through online support.

Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about their experienced tutors. Call 617-227-2225, email info@activemindstutoring.com, or visit http://www.activemindstutoring.com/testimonials.html

Discovery After School Club for Children Grades K-4

Register now for the Discovery After School Club 2020-2021 school year. This warm, enriching after school program, conveniently located at the Leventhal-Sidman Center in Newton, offers a variety of workshop choices with integrated Jewish content. Experience service projects, Jewish holiday celebrations and more in this vibrant community!

Engaging, expert-led workshops include art, basketball, chess, coding, cooking, dance, drama, farming, floor hockey, Hebrew, music, nature exploration, robotics, STEM, tennis and yoga. For children in grades K-4. Early bird special available until May 1st.

For more information, including pricing and registration, visit bostonjcc.org/afterschool or contact discoveryclub@jccgb.org or 617-558-6483. Early release day options available. Open to the entire community.

Update from the School Committee

Dear Friends,

In an effort to balance our obligation to hold public meetings with the equally imperative duty to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, the School Committee has implemented new Public Comment procedures with guidance from the Health and Human Services Department. Normally, the month of March is a busy time during which the Committee reviews, vigorously examines and welcomes numerous Public Comments regarding next year’s budget. Given yesterday’s decision to close schools, the risk of community spread posed by COVID-19 and the need to protect our most vulnerable residents, we simply cannot observe the normal process.

We hope that you understand and assist us to mitigate the risk as we refrain from large gatherings and maintain social distancing. This is not possible in the Ed Center’s School Committee chamber, which is small and easily overcrowded. Therefore, we urge members of the public not to attend in person and instead opt to watch the live broadcast on NewTV. For meetings with scheduled Public Comment, we ask members of the public to submit written Public Comment by 6:00 PM. Questions will be collated and read aloud during the Committee’s live broadcast at 7:00 PM on NewTV. Each Public Comment is limited to three minutes and must include your name and address. Please submit Public Comments to schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us.  

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Monday, March 16 at 7:00 PM, Special SC Meeting FY21 Budget. The Committee will review changes to the budget affecting Elementary and Secondary education. No Public Comment Scheduled.
  • Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 PM, Special SC Meeting. Public Comment Observed, up to 45 minutes. Submit written comments to the SC via email.
  • Monday, March 23 at 7:00 PM, SC Meeting. Public Comment Observed, up to 30 minutes. Submit written comments to the School Committee via email.
  • Monday, March 30 at 7:00 PM, SC Public Hearing FY21 Budget. Public Comment Observed, No Time Limit. Submit written comments to the School Committee via email.

We hope you found this guide useful. You can access all SC meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, we offer “Virtual Office Hours” once a month using Facebook Live to provide the community with an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts with members of the School Committee. Videos of past “Virtual Office Hours” are archived on the district Facebook page.

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.

Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee

Newton South Light the Way AUCTION

The Newton South Help Light the Way Auction will provide funds for the installation of permanent lights at Winkler Stadium. Help light the way to school spirit and community spirit at South. Our community and merchants have donated over 60 items, so please click below to register online and start bidding today at https://e.givesmart.com/events/eQe/

The Light the Way Auction is open online now through March 28th at 11:59 pm.

The current goal is to raise $50,000 for the Light the Way Fundraiser. Many thanks to our community and merchants for their continued support of the Help Light The Way fundraising campaign! Please reach out directly to Bella Gelman and Penelope Nam-Stephen if you have specific questions.

Stay safe and healthy….and Bid for the Lights! GO SOUTH, GO LIONS, GO NEWTON!

Girls Basketball for Grade 3

For the sixth consecutive year the Boston Emeralds will be running their 3rd grade developmental program. They’ll run skills and drills with a fun scrimmage at the end. The program is developmentally based and will be an excellent preparation for the upcoming fourth grade Metro West season in the fall.

The program will be run by Coach Michael Cassidy who has worked with several AAU programs in the past as well as nine seasons coaching the Newton Travel teams.

Space is limited and last year the program filled up fast. To register and for more information visit https://bostonemeraldsbasketball.com/third-grade-developmental-program/

If you have any questions please email bostonemeraldsbasketball@gmail.com.
Hope to see you all on the court!

Scheduled to begin March 25th and meet Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:40 pm
Oak Hill Middle School

Discovery After School Club for kids K-4

Register now for the Discovery After School Club 2020-2021 school year. This warm, enriching after school program, conveniently located at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton, offers a variety of workshop choices with integrated Jewish content. Experience service projects, Jewish holiday celebrations and more in this vibrant community! Engaging, expert-led workshops include art, basketball, chess, coding, cooking, dance, drama, farming, floor hockey, Hebrew, music, nature exploration, robotics, STEM, tennis and yoga. For children in grades K-4. Early bird special available until May 1st.

For more information, including pricing and registration, visit bostonjcc.org/afterschool or contact discoveryclub@jccgb.org or 617-558-6483. Early release day options available. Open to the entire community.

Communication Study for Mental Health

A team at Harvard Medical School hopes to offer a training to parents of teens and young adults ages 14-24. The training will revolve around communication strategies that can help parents decrease conflict with their child and encourage healthy changes. It is a part of a study they hope will provide parents with the skills necessary to build their confidence!

Participants who enroll will learn and practice motivational interviewing skills in a group-based course with other parents.

Lunch will be provided and parking/transportation fees can be reimbursed. On-site childcare during the training is available. Participants will have the opportunity to earn up to $75.00 by completing pre- and post-course surveys. Click here for the flyer.

If you know someone who might benefit from this study, or if you have any questions, please email MIStudy@bidmc.harvard.edu, call 617- 982-3441, or visit Milostudy.com.

Sessions planned for May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
75 Fenwood Rd, Boston