Author Archives: caroline-w

Do you want to improve sustainability in Newton schools?

Join School Connections, a group of parents, educators and students who are working together to promote sustainability in Newton schools.

If your school does not yet have a Green Team, School Connections can help you to establish one. Representatives of the group participate in discussions to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias. They are also advocating for more in-depth climate science to be taught in our schools, as well as setting up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building. All are welcome to participate and share experiences and ideas.

For more information contact schoolconnections@greennewton.org or visit www.schools.greennewton.org

February 13th,  3:45 – 5:00 pm
Third floor arc area of the Newton Free Library

Comedy for a Cause 武汉加油!

Jesse Appell 艾杰西 Newton Fundraiser for Wuhan

Help a good cause and learn about life and comedy in China! Jesse is a comedy star in China, performing for millions on TV. Jesse’s one-man-show about life in China and the situation in Wuhan is a one-of-a-kind event.

NHS Chinese Program and Jingshan Exchange Program invite you to enjoy Newton North alum Jesse Appell’s comedy show, along with the NNHS student performance. Buy tickets and make donations here http://bit.ly/2vSkeFL

This performance will be in English. All ticket sales will be donated to Jingshan School and to buy medical supplies for Wuhan University Hospital.

February 12th, 7:00 pm
Newton North auditorium

Jesse Appell is a Fulbright fellow alumnus based in Beijing who researches and performs Chinese comedy. He is the disciple of Cross-talk Master Performer Ding Guangquan. Jesse’s TV and Internet performances have reached hundreds of millions of viewers in China and around the world. He aims to use comedy to bring people together.

Below are some media coverage of Jesse:

CBS Evening News with Seth Doane
Jesse on the front page of the Boston Globe
The Chinese standup routine from a major TV show (with subtitles)

JCC Maccabi Games Are Here!

Not sure of your teen’s summer plans? Come learn about the JCC Maccabi Campus Games on February 12th at 6:30pm at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. Each summer, Jewish teens (13-16) gather for a six-day, Olympics®-style competition. The 2020 Games will be held August 9th – 14th in Westchester, New York.

Teams participate in boys baseball, boys, ice hockey, girls volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, chess, dance, e-sports, swimming, table tennis and tennis. It’s the summer experience of a lifetime, and JCC Greater Boston is proud to send its own delegation to the games!

Families will receive a membership to JCC Greater Boston once their teen is registered for the games. Participants must be age 13 and must not have reached age 17 by by July 31st, 2020. For more information, contact 781-249-9567 or maccabigames@jccgb.org.

You’re Invited to a Northland Project Forum presented by the League of Women Voters

Yes or No – Proposed Northland Development Project on Needham and Oak Streets

Newton voters will have a chance to decide the future of the Northland Development Project in a binding referendum election to take place on March 3rd, 2020 (coinciding with the presidential primary election).

The question to be placed before the voters is “Shall the following measure which was passed by the City Council be approved?

A measure which changes the zoning of parcels of land located at 156 Oak Street, 275-281 Needham Street and 55 Tower Road (commonly known as the Northland Project) from Mixed Use 1 District (MU1) to Business 4 District (BU4). The zoning change would allow for the construction of the Northland Project as described in a special permit and site plan approval granted by the City Council.”

Join the LWVN Forum and learn about this referendum question. You will hear from presenters on both sides of the issues and, at the end of the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org or via Facebook are appreciated!

February 13th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
The Durant Kendrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton

For more information about the Northland Project, visit the City of Newton website; The Committee for Responsible Development; Yes for Newton’s Future .

Have Fun Dancing Over February Break

Stay active over February break and learn some new dance moves! Students will enjoy a mix of dance styles along with fun games and arts and crafts! Open to boys and girls of all levels ages 3-6 years and 7-12 years. Join for 1 day or all 3!

This program is taught by the experienced faculty at the Joanne Langione Dance Center in West Newton. Learn more about JLDC’s 44 years of teaching dance to the Newton community, state-of-the-art facility and all class offerings for kids ages 6 mo – 18 years old at www.jldancecenter.com. Or call or email 617-969-8724 or angela@jldancecenter.com.

Register at http://www.jldancecenter.com/specialevents/

Join for one day or all three. $60.00/day or $150.00 for all 3.
Students should bring their lunch and snack and wear anything they are comfortable moving in.

February 18th, 19th & 20th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Peter and the Wolf Family Concert

Share the joy of the symphony with your family at New Philharmonia’s production of Peter and the Wolf.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will join the orchestra in guiding children through the magical musical fairy tale as each character is represented by a different instrument in the orchestra. Children will be able to imagine Prokofiev’s classic tale as Peter catches the hungry wolf and parades the animal through town. Following the concert, the always popular instrument petting zoo returns, where children can try playing their favorite instruments.

Tickets for Peter and the Wolf are $10.00 for students and $18.00 for adults and can be purchased at www.newphil.org.

March 1st,  3:00 pm
First Baptist Church, Newton Centre

You’re invited to the Help Light the Way Gala

The Help Light the Way Gala will raise funds to purchase and install permanent lights for the outdoor sports stadium at Newton South High School. The night will include a silent and live auction, as well as lots of raffles and they need your help to make this a successful event!

Ways you can Help Light The Way

  • Make a monetary donation to the fundraising campaign by clicking here: Donate $
  • Donate goods, services or vacations to our auction and raffle by clicking here: Donate Goods
  • Volunteer your time in one or more of many different volunteer opportunities by clicking here: Volunteer
  • Come to the Gala. Please click Buy Tickets to purchase tickets.

Co-chairs, Bella Gelman and Penelope Nam-Stephen are planning a fun night for the  community. Please contact them if you are able to work on this campaign.

For more info email either Bella.Gelman@gmail.com or Penelope.NamSteph@gmail.com

March 28th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Public Speaking for Middle Schoolers

Is your child the next Greta Thunberg? Interested in public speaking, debate, and civic engagement?

Debate Spaces is a Harvard-affiliated nonprofit providing best-in-class programming to middle school students by national award-winning former college debaters. Sign up for  spring programming now– pizza lunch included!

Please reach out to info@debatespaces.org with any questions you may have!

Newton Girls Softball

Newton Girls Softball Rec League is for girls in kindergarten to 7th grade. Supportive coaches teach the fundamentals of softball and develop confidence, determination, and resiliency. Team sports can play a great role helping girls face challenges as they get older. There is a place for girls of all ability levels in Softball, in a different way from soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.

If your daughter is not yet playing a spring sport, please visit the website http://newtongirlssoftball.org/ Also, Rec League Director James Alandydy would be happy to talk with you. Please contact him at james.alandydy@gmail.com.