Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

First Lego League (FLL) and Junior FLL Info Night

The Newton LigerBots are hosting a First Lego League (FLL) and Junior FLL Info Night.

FLL is the FIRST LEGO robotics competition for fourth through eighth graders. In addition to building and programming LEGO robots, each year’s themed FLL challenge includes a project for which team members brainstorm and present creative solutions to real life problems. This event is aimed at parents and students.

Junior FLL is a project based program for grades K-3. At FLL Info Night parents can learn more about the FLL program and students can participate in fun activities. Current LigerBots students and coaches who have participated in FLL in the past will lead a presentation with general information on FLL as well as on how to start your own team. There will be demonstrations of EV3 robots and people to answer any questions you may have.

Email fl*@*******ts.com for more information or see the fliers here: FLL

May 30th,  7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Newton North High School, Film Lecture Hall (just off the front entrance at Tiger Drive)

Middle School Summer Resources

While all young people benefit from out of school time activities that help them grow and learn, middle school tends to be an age when student participation decreases. The City of Newton’s Executive Office, Health and Human Services Department and Newton Public Schools are currently working on promoting out-of-school time for middle schoolers. While still in the early stages of this work, they have created a webpage on the City website to help families find summer options for their middle schooler, as well as provide other valuable information like financial aid tips, helpful links and more.

They will be continually adding more to the webpage in the coming months but with summer coming up, wanted to share now to help with planning. Feedback and ideas are welcome.

Click here for a link to the Middle School resources web page: http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/health/youth/middle_school_resources.asp

Summer Programs at the Y

Summer Programs

· Learn to swim – swimming lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
· Lifeguard Training Certification Classes
· Sports Leagues – NEW! SUMMER YBA Basketball
· Adult Sports Leagues
· Personal Training and Small Group Training

Registration for Summer Programs opens on May 30th for WSYMCA members and June 2nd for non-members. Visit wsymca.org to download a copy of the Summer Program Catalog.

Kids Night Out (Ages 7-13), June 9th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Parents: This is the last Kids Night Out until the fall! Drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with qualified staff members. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25 per child for members and $30 for non-members. 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!

Annual Golf Tournament, June 19th, 1:00 – 8:00 pm
Join Y staff and volunteers at the Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord for one of the premier yearly events. The tournament benefits the Y’s Annual Fund – providing financial assistance to local families in need. Registration includes 18 holes with a cart, lunch, dinner, player gifts and prizes for the winners of fun competitions like longest drive, closest to the pin, etc. For more information please visit wsymca.org/golf, or contact Rosie Carey at 617-244-6050 x 3099.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs.

Reading/Writing Tutor Available

Does your child need more support in the areas of reading and writing? If you are looking for someone to provide your son or daughter support for completing essays or enhancing your child’s reading abilities, Amy McMahon would be delighted to hear from you. She’s an experienced reading specialist with a background in English and ELL who teaches on the north side of Newton. As one Brown parent shared, “You made school a joy for my son!”

Contact Amy McMahon 617-777-3531 or am****@*cn.com (References available).

College Essay Support

ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for expert support for the College Admission Essay. Rising Seniors, check out these workshops, led by a former Harvard admissions officer. June and July in Newton.

Exclusive Newton North and South discount: register by May 26th for $50 off. By referring a friend who also signs up you get ANOTHER $50 off. This price INCLUDES a one-hour private session!

For additional details and to sign up please visit www.activemindstutoring.com.

College Essay Help Available!

Writer and editor with 20+ years of experience available to help rising seniors craft compelling college application essays. Take the stress and mystery out of the process with supportive professional coaching. Former students have been accepted to their top choice schools. Will assist with any or all stages of writing. Testimonials/references available. Contact Toni Abrams at to********@***il.com or 339-927-1022.

Summer Test Prep and College Essay Support

Summer is a great time to do Fall test prep and to get those college essays done! SAT/ACT/SSAT/ISEE

Former Brookline and Concord teacher, thirty years experience (grades 1-12,) classroom teacher, middle and high school English teacher, Reading Specialist, “executive functioning” specialist.

Available to help students with individualized test prep and help kids develop skills, strategies, confidence. Excellent parent and professional references.

Contact Cynthia Carpenter at 978-952-8871 or cs****@***il.com

Special Education Parent Advisory Council meeting – May 18th

The Newton Sepac, Special Education Parent Advisory Council, is hosting Jill Curry, NPS Transition Coordinator at their next meeting. Jill will present an overview of the transition planning process for students with disabilities. General transition planning information as well as strategies to support independence and student self-determination will be shared. Jill will share a range of community based resources for students as they consider their post-secondary plans and action steps that students, staff, and families can to take to support a positive transition to adulthood.

The meeting agenda will also include the elections of a new Board for the 2017-2018 year.

All meetings of the Newton Sepac are open to the public at no charge. Please rsvp to rs************@***il.com.

May 18th, 7:30 pm, networking and light refreshments begin at 7:15 pm
Room 210, The Education Center, 100 Walnut St, Newtonville

13 Reasons Why Newton Cares

Upcoming Newton Cares community conversation: 13 Reasons Why Newton Cares
Join an important community conversation regarding the trending Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and how to engage people of all ages in safe, positive discussions about suicide prevention & mental health.

This event is intended for adults, especially: Parents, caregivers, educators, coaches, youth mentors, group leaders and any adult who cares about young people. Register (requested, not required) at www.newtoncares.eventbrite.com

May 24th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center, City Hall War Memorial

Write Successful Essays for your College Application

Think you can write your college application essay the night before it’s due? Think again! Writing a standout essay doesn’t happen overnight. In this Newton Community education class, you’ll work with a professional writer who will help you choose your topic and improve your writing style. You’ll start by discussing what colleges are looking for, and then, you’ll write. You’ll receive weekly written feedback on your essays as well as helpful critiques from your classmates. By the end of the class, you’ll be well on your way towards completion of two Common Application essays, and you’ll get a handle on other essays your college applications may require. You can take the class at Newton North or Newton South.

Newton South – 4 Wednesdays, June 28th – July 19th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton North – 4 Thursdays, June 29th – July 20th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Visit newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999 for more information.