Category Archives: School Breaks

Mayor’s New Year’s Open House

Free Family entertainment by the American Chinese Art Society (a cultural gem of dance), Davey the Clown (juggling, magic & wacky antics) and Big Joe the Storyteller (laugh out loud funny). Also, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts and Refreshments courtesy of KIND Bars. Kids can climb aboard the awesome DPW trucks in front of City Hall.

Please contribute to Soldier’s Care Packages and help assemble them. People are also welcome at 9:00 am in the War Memorial Auditorium to help sort food for the Food Pantries., then come back for the festivities! Please bring a non-perishable item for the Newton Food Pantries. Details of requested items can be found at www.newtoncommunitypride.org

December 31st, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

What’s going on at the Y

Winter Programs
Registration for Winter Programs at the Y opens on December 12th for West Suburban YMCA Members and December 16th for Non-members. Programs begin in early January and run through the end of February, including:

· Swimming Lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
· Aquatics Fitness Classes
· Sports Leagues and Classes
· Child Care & Sports School Vacation Programs
· Karate
· Music Lessons & Creative Arts Programs
· Personal Training and Small Group Training – including a winter weight loss challenge called “Resolutions”

Visit wsymca.org to register online or stop by the Y’s Welcome Center at 276 Church Street, Newton.

WSBL Men’s Basketball League
A new 10-week season for one of the best adult basketball leagues around begins at the end of the year. Sign up to play as a team or a free agent in our Recreational League (Monday nights) or two Competitive Leagues (Wednesday or Thursday nights).

League includes 10-week regular season plus post-season playoffs, certified officials, online statistics and team jerseys. For more information, contact Cindy Brown, League Coordinator, at cindyb@wsymca.org.

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 an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Newton Parks and Recreation programs

Newton Parks and Recreation has several upcoming programs this winter for youth and adults. Online registration is available at activityreg.com. Contact Channon Ames DiCiurcio at cames@newtonma.gov or at 617-796-1529 for more information. Flyer available here: Parks and Rec

Learn to Ski or Snowboard Program at Nashoba Valley
A second bus had been added for Fridays for grades 5–12. Learn to ski or snowboard with lessons at Nashoba Valley ski area starting January 6th.

School Vacation Programs in December, February and April
Sign up by day or for all 4 days. A variety of options are available for children in grades K – 6. Extended day is available at some programs.

Newton South Recreation Complex
Located at Newton South High School, the Newton South Recreation Complex offers Continue reading →

Newton Family & Friends Ski Trip – Bolton Valley March 3rd – 5th

Randy Friedman, father of two boys in the Newton schools and Director of Ski & Travel for an adult ski, sports, and social club here in Boston, invites you on a friends and family ski trip. If you are interested please see below.

Bolton Valley is set amidst 5,000 acres of Vermont’s most spectacular Green Mountain vistas with the highest base elevation of any Vermont ski resort. In addition to skiing and riding from its 3,150-foot summit, the recreational opportunities are as numerous as the views are spectacular. Whether your interest is Continue reading →

April Break Family Movies

Vacation Week Family Movies
The Newton Parks & Recreation Department in conjunction with West Newton Cinema will be offering vacation week movie days on Wednesday, April 20th and Thursday, April 21st.

The Jungle Book, Zootopia and Kung Fu Panda 3 will be showing both days at 11:00 am. Special $8.00 price includes a movie, popcorn and drink. Tickets sales, cash only, begin at 10:00 am on both days at West Newton Cinema.

Upcoming Teen Programs Vacation Week and beyond

Teen Crafterhours: Meet on the third Tuesday of every month to make crafts and eat snacks. This month make steampunk magnets. Grades 6-12.  April 19th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

Trivia Nite @ the Library: Are you a genius at Jeopardy!? A consumer of crossword puzzles? Back by popular demand, come join the fun and test your mastery of useful (and useless) information! Some of your favorite library staff will challenge players with 4 rounds of questions from a variety of categories. Stretch your brain and win great prizes! Come alone or with friends. Teams can be up to 6 people, and they can match you with fellow devotees. Pizza will be provided. Teens and families welcome. Register online. April 21st, 6:30 pm, Druker Auditorium.

Books & Brownies: Join the monthly parent/guardian and teen book club and enjoy brownies! This month’s reading is The Marvels by Brian Selznick. For ages 11-16 and their adult. April 26th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

Typewriter Poetry by Teens and Tweens: Celebrate National Poetry Month! Come to the teen area and have someone write a poem just for you, free, and on the spot! Poems will actually be typed on typewriters. April 30th, 1:00-3:00 pm, second floor Teen Area.

April Vacation Leadership Workshop

Lumos Debate is offering a 3 day leadership workshop for middle school students during April Vacation. Your child will practice critical thinking, argumentation, and public speaking. Don’t worry if you think your child is too shy, these instructors know how to make the activities fun and low pressure. Registration is only $65.00 and you can bring a friend for just another $20.00.

Register at: lumosdebate.com/workshop. If you have questions you can email lumosdebate.com/workshop or call 617-901-4564.

Interested in helping a child with disabilities?

Are you interested in helping a child with disabilities learn how to ride a bicycle?

Arlington iCanShine Bike Camp returns to Arlington this April during school vacation week, April 18th – 22nd. iCanShine bike camp is a place where anyone eight or over with a diagnosed disability can learn how to ride a conventional two wheeled bicycle. It’s a place where miracles happen.

They are seeking volunteers, age14 or over, to work with riders during the upcoming bike camp. If you are unfamiliar with what bike camp is all about, head to www.icanshine. org and check out a few of the videos posted there to see bike camp in action.

Flier is available here or to register for volunteering please go to www.arlingtonbike camp.org.

Spring and Summer program at Newton Community Farm

Registration is now open for both spring and summer education programs.

Spring Education Programs – Farm Sprouts, a program for preschool age children with their caregiver, Plant and Grow, an early release special, and an evening with Philip Warburg author of Harness the Sun: America’s Quest for a Solar-Powered Future are just some of our offerings this spring season.

Kids at the Farm: Summer 2016 – Register now for one of their summer programs for kids preschool age – 8th Grade

For more information, visit www.newtoncommunityfarm.org/education

Newton’s Greatest Family Bingo Night Ever

The Newton Parks & Recreation Department is hosting the “Greatest Family Bingo Night Ever” event during February vacation week. Players can win sports tickets, ski passes, restaurant gift certificates and more. Doors open at 5:30 pm and concessions include $2.00 a slice Sicilian pizza and $1.00 for a build your own Cabot’s sundae. Bingo is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and includes 10 bingo games. Families and players can purchase 3 boards for $8.00 or 9 boards for $20.00.

All proceeds will benefit Newton Athletes Unlimited, which provides year-round recreation programs to over 250 athletes with disabilities. To learn more about the event visit newtonathletesunlimited.org or call 617-796-1527.

February 17th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Post 440, 295 California Street

PLEASE NOTE: The flyer is also posted online at http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/71494