Author Archives: caroline-w

Newton Porchfest 2020 Sign ups are open!

Spring is just around the corner. Let’s get ready for Porchfest 2020!

PorchFest is an afternoon of music performances on porches and driveways around Newton. Porchfest 2019 included 100+ musical groups performing all over Auburndale, Lower Falls and in Waban Center.  They hope to match or exceed the number of performances this year!

NewtonPorchfest 2020 is scheduled June 6th (raindate June 7th).

Participate in Porchfest as a

•Host:  Sign up to host a band on your porch, lawn or driveway.  PorchFest will take place in Auburndale, Lower Falls and Waban Center.
•Performer:  Are you a singer-songwriter, part of a jazz quartet, rock band, or dancer?  All forms of musical talent, all ages are welcome!
•Volunteer:  They’d love your help!
•Donor:  Newton PorchFest is funded entirely by donations.  Any and all donations are welcome.

Sign up to participate or to learn more about Porchfest 2020 at https://newton.porchfest.info/

Come to the 31st Annual Project Manna Concert

Temple Emanuel is hosting the 31st Annual Project Manna Concert this month.  This benefit concert supports the Mass Ave Baptist Church’s food pantry and soup kitchen in Cambridge, MA. Check out the flyer.

This concert is a celebration of Gospel and Jewish Music.  Fabulous choirs raise their voices in song at this festive celebration of diversity, as local Gospel and Jewish choirs come together to make joyful music for an important cause.  Tickets are $20.00/adult, $15.00/student and seniors.  Purchase your tickets online today at   https://www.templeemanuel.com/product/project-manna-concert-tickets/

March 24th. 7:00 pm
385 Ward Street, Newton

Update on Jesse Appell’s Fundraiser

Read on for an update on the result of the fundraiser – Comedy for a Cause with Jesse Appell in February. Donation on the night of the show and tickets sold at Newton North reached $8,684, and online tickets and donation accumulated to $3,600.  The Newton exchange school, Jingshan School in Beijing, has asked us to donate all the funds raised for their students to Wuhan as well. Therefore checks of these funds have been made out to WeStar Corp,  a Weston-based non-profit organization that purchases medical supplies and ships to Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province.

Jesse Appell, Henry Turner, the Newton North principal, along with Emily Donahue, teacher from Peirce Elementary School, and David Minichiello, teacher from Memorial Spaulding Elementary School went to WeStar headquarters last week and packed our supplies for Wuhan. Some Chinese AP class students also participated in this meaningful mission!

The organizers of the event are immensely humbled and touched by the efforts, kindness and generosity that our community has demonstrated and feel very grateful for being part of this collective endeavor for humanity.

Children’s learning, language and development study opportunities

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children between the ages of 8 and 12 years to participate in research studies funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Study 1. This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years. The goal is to improve understanding of learning in children. The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours scheduled on weekdays and weekends) per year for 3 years. During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer. More information can be found at https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning

Study 2. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the learning patterns of children with typical and atypical language development. The study will involve 2 visits to the lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. During the visits, children complete a battery of cognitive and language-based assessments, play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording.  A visit will last about 3 hours. A week after the second lab visit your child will be asked to complete follow up tasks on a home computer or a mobile device. Researchers are looking for children who were late to develop language, and who still receive services for language or learning difficulties. More information can be found at https://rally.partners.org/study/does_your_child_stru

Payment is $60 for each in-person visit to the lab and there is free all-day parking provided at the Navy Yard. Results of your child’s cognitive and language-based assessments are mailed to you. Please email cnglead@mghihp.edu or call 617- 724-7363 if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Isabel Fitzpatrick and The LEAD Study Team

Update from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

As the news and information about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to develop, you may have questions about our schools. We are working closely with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services to monitor this situation and stay up-to-date with guidance, including guidance relative to travelers.

To prevent any potential exposure to our staff and students, we are implementing federal guidance around returning travelers, which is evolving daily. To that end, today we made a decision to require students and staff from Newton North who returned from Italy on Saturday, Feb. 29th, to stay home from school beginning tomorrow, March 2nd, until further notice. These students and staff will return to school once we have been advised that it is appropriate. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and under the direction of the Newton Health and Human Services department.

For your information, the city-wide Emergency Management Team has formed a committee to apply our robust emergency preparedness plans to possible scenarios around this infectious disease. While this specific virus is a new one, managing community spread of disease is not new and our public health professionals are well prepared. We will play an important role on this committee and will address questions about potential issues that may impact the day-to-day function of our schools.

The MA Department of Health shares the following recommendations to maintain good health:

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Stay home if you are sick

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

We will continue to work with our City health partners to provide you with timely, accurate, and useful information.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Early Spring Registration Has Started!
Early Spring Session runs February 24th – April 19th. Sign up for swimming lessons, small fitness training classes, sports, or creative arts! There’s still availability in some of the classes. Register and find out more information here.

Try the Y for Free on Mondays in March
Mondays are free in March!  Stop by the Welcome Center with a valid ID and your guest fee will be waived.

Kids Night Out
Parents, drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with qualified staff members for a Kids Night Out. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25.00 per child for Y members and $30.00 for the community. A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Everyone wins!
March 6th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Family Fun Night
Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.
March 10th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Camp Registration is Now Open!
Send your child to day camp at Camp Pikati or Camp Chickami, or try the overnight experience at Camp Frank A. Day.  Learn more and register at https://www.wsymca.org/camps

Camp Info Session
Want to learn more about summer camp offerings?  Stop by the Y for one of the camp info sessions on March 10th,  3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in member services, childcare and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. The Y offers generous benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

March events from Historic Newton

FREE WEEKEND AT HISTORIC NEWTON
Everyone is invited to enjoy free admission to the museums.
March 7th and March 8th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Books.”
March 7th, 9:30 am
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Books.”
March 11th, 10:30 am
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Rainbow.”
March 21st, 9:30 am
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

LOOK CLOSER: HIDDEN HISTORY GALLERY TALK
How does art tell a story? What can a painting tell us about Newton and America in 1852? With a Historic Newton educator, examine the newly acquired landscape painting, The Great Curve, in a 30-minute gallery talk and activity. Admission included in museum admission. Information: 617-796-1450
March 21st, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS
The free, bi-weekly Storytime program engages kids 0 months to 3 years old by focusing on literacy, Newton’s history, play, and lessons from our museums. Families are welcome to bring older siblings. This week’s theme is “Rainbow.”
March 25th, 10:30 am
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue