Author Archives: caroline-w

TeenLife Media — Digital Guide to 2019 Summer Programs

Need summer program ideas? Look no further. Click here to check out TeenLife Media’s brand-new guide to 2019 Summer Programs. Featuring 50+ program listings, student testimonials, and advice from summer program professionals, it’s the ultimate resource for families trying to make the most of the off-school months.
https://guides.teenlife.com/overnight-summer-programs

Literacy Specialist/ELL Teacher Available for Private Summer Tutoring

Newton mom and former Newton literacy specialist, presently working as an ELL teacher in Needham Public Schools is available for Summer tutoring. Lani Verges-Radack, the parent of two kids with complex learning and emotional needs,  has over 15 years experience in education.

With experience in a variety of methods, she can assess your child to design the best plan for progress. Lani works on ALL areas of literacy – decoding, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, oral language and phonics/spelling – depending upon the needs of your child.

State certified in ESL, Reading, Early Childhood, English. Experienced with all ages. Rates available upon request. Please contact Lradack@gmail.com.

Letter from School Committee regarding Equity Policy and Guidelines Information


Dear Elementary School Families:

Recently, several questions and concerns have been raised about the revised equity policy and guidelines scheduled for implementation in July 2019. The School Committee would like to clarify the purpose of the policy and guidelines, review the process by which the revised policy was determined, and identify the opportunities for public feedback in the coming weeks.

Equity is a core value of the Newton Public Schools. The School Committee is steadfast in our commitment to elementary students receiving a similar educational experience no matter which school they attend and despite any demographic differences among our school communities. In 1988 when it became clear that a large and increasing disparity in PTO fundraising and provisioning of schools threatened the level playing field, the School Committee instituted equity guidelines and limitations. Continue reading →

SC Special Update – Budget Hearings

Dear Friends,

This update is a special edition that covers the upcoming meetings regarding the proposed 2019-20 NPS Budget.

March 13, 2019 (Completed) – Superintendent’s Budget Presentation (Not a School Committee Meeting)

March 18, 2019 @ 7PM – (Special School Committee Meeting – No Public Comment)

  • Budget Review: Instructional Areas: Elementary and Secondary, Teaching and Learning

March 21, 2019 @7PM – (Special School Committee Meeting – No Public Comment)

  • Budget Review: Non-Instructional Areas, Student Services and Special Education

March 25, 2019 @7PM – Regular School Committee Meeting

  • Public Comment
  • Discussion: 2019 – 2020 School Budget
  • Race and Achievement Update
  • Straw Vote: 2019 – 2020 School Budget
  • Equity Committee Update
  • Possible Vote: Bus Loop @225 Nevada Street
  • Vote: Crowd Funding Policy

April 1, 2019 @6:30pm Public Hearing on 2019 – 2020 School Budget

April 1, 2019 @7pm Regular School Committee Meeting

  • Discussion and Vote on 2019 – 2020 School Budget

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org.

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 PorchFest 2019: Signups are now open

Signups for Newton PorchFest 2019, scheduled for June 1st (raindate June 2nd) are now open. PorchFest is an afternoon of free music performed outside of people’s homes. Last year’s inaugural event included 60+ bands. You can participate by signing up to play (all musicians of all types are welcome), host (residents of Auburndale, Lower Falls or Waban), or volunteer.

For more information and to signup, see https://newton.porchfest.info/.

Newton Cantonese School Open House

The Newton Cantonese School will be having an OPEN HOUSE.  Come talk to the staff and tour the school while you learn more about these unique Cantonese Chinese programs.  Light refreshments will be served.

NCS is located at the Bigelow Middle School, 42 Vernon Street, Newton. To learn more, please go to www.newtoncantoneseschool.org.

March 23rd,  9:45 am to 12:00 pm
Bigelow Middle School

Facilitative Leadership Training – ideal for FORJ teams

Join an interactive evening with Madeline McNeely, founder of Conditioning Leaders. She is a facilitator, trainer, coach and consultant who will share practices gleaned from her most popular trainings on good group leadership practices to ensure your FORJ team is operating at its best.

This is a special opportunity for your FORJ team to reflect on your experiences and learn helpful tools for sustainability and success!

Please RSVP here:RSVP

March 26th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Mason Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant St, Newton Centre