Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Conversations About Transition: A Webinar Series to Prepare LD Students for College, Career and More

Schools for Children is presenting a free three-part webinar series on the transition to college, career and more for high school students with learning differences and other social-emotional challenges.

Session 1: Who Will I Become?
November 17th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Register: bit.ly/SFCTransitionSeries

Session 2: College Bound with Challenges
December 3rd,  7:00 – 8:00 pm
Register: bit.ly/SFCTransitionSeriesCollege

Session Three: Learning & Doing: When College Isn’t Your First Next Step
January 12th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Register: bit.ly/SFCTransitionSeriesCareer

Learn more at bit.ly/HSTransitionSeries

Holiday Gift Drive Kicks Off!

The Rotary Club of Newton is so happy to be partnering this year with The Village Bank to help ensure that every kiddo in Newton has a special winter holiday this year!

Can you help with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy (for a child age newborn to 10 years), a cash donation, or a gift card so that our Rotary elves can gather up some goodies?

Click HERE for details on how to:
Drop off a new, unwrapped toy or gift card at any Village Bank branch
Choose a toy to donate using this Amazon Wish List
Make a cash donation through the Newton Rotary Foundation

Click here for flyer: Gift Drive

What’s Happening at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton invites children to register for afternoon and evening Winter Programs taking place in December and January. Featuring small groups and following all covid-19 protocols, the Club is offering programs for elementary, middle school, and high school children, in the areas of Basketball, STEM, Arts, and Leadership.

To open new possibilities for your child to have fun, stay active, and make new friends, claim your free membership to the Boys & Girls Club and register for programs today at https://www.newtonbgc.com/seasonal-schedules

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Virtual Ugly Sweater 5K
Wear an ugly sweater and run or walk a 5k between November 29th and December 6th. Participants can do the race on their own time and on a route of their choosing. All proceeds go to the Annual Fund, which supports the Y’s commitment to keep the facility open to all, regardless of ability to pay. This event is an opportunity to support the Y in a social distant way, exercise, and receive prizes. Registration fees are $10 for youth, $15 for adults, or $40 for a family. Register online: https://donate.wsymca.org/UglySweater5k

Fall Program Mini Sessions
Late Fall Program Session Starts November 16th
The Y is helping families have an active, engaging, and safe fall! The Y’s Late Fall Session runs from November 16th to December 19th (no classes the week of Thanksgiving). Register now for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs!

Create A Class
The Y is also offering the opportunity to “create a class,” by putting together a custom group such as a school cohort, a family bubble, or any group of your choosing. Most Y programs – such as basketball classes, swim lessons, fitness training groups, and more – can be created for your specific group. Staff will work with you to set up a day and time for your participant group and the program of your choosing.

Out of School Time Community Connections
Remote Learning Support and Enrichment for Grades K-8. This fall the Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program is offering a full day program from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm to support distance learning and complement the Newton Public Schools schedule. Families have the option to enroll their child for 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The EEC-certified Out of School Time program provides academic support, structured routine, and opportunities for physical activities and enrichment activities. Learn more at www.wsymca.org/OST.

YBA Returns to the Y
YMCA’s YBA league is returning this November. The youth basketball league will run from November 14th to February 7th. YBA offers children a safe and positive environment, an opportunity to work as a team, and enjoy physical activity. YBA programming will follow all youth sports health and safety guidelines as determined by the state of Massachusetts. For more information contact Chris Ellison at chrise@wsymca.org or 617-244-6050 ext. 3806.

Personal Training – Outdoors, Indoors, or Virtual Training
Personal training is available for members either outside, in a private studio, or virtually. For more information or to set up a training session, please email Jenni at jennip@wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050 ext. 3034. Continue reading →

Find the “right fit” college

Are you a parent more concerned about your child finding “the right fit” college or university for her/him/them from a holistic standpoint, rather than getting your teenager into “the right” brand name college? Tired of the “Ivy Fever” that runs amok in the metro-Boston area? Looking for some ethical guidance through the complex and often unfair college admission landscape?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, Dr. Maruta Vitols  would love to work with you. She’s a member of Newton South Class of 1994 and owner of A+ College Consulting. Visit the website for more information on how she’ll help your family navigate this process. https://www.apluscollegeconsult.com/ or email mvitols@gmail.com.

Digital Audio program

Read on to learn about the Digital Audio Production program at Plugged In, a unique nonprofit youth rock band program where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome.

In this innovative 8-week project oriented program students will learn fundamental skills, techniques and tools to work with digital audio software. The program will culminate in a student created song or podcast project that will be showcased at a Plugged In end of session live-stream concert. This is not a program adapted for online learning. The Digital Audio Production program was developed for, is geared towards, and is enhanced by a virtual environment. Topics in the 90-minute weekly classes include:

Week 1: Intro to Digital Music
Week 2: Audio Editing and the Grid
Week 3: MIDI Editing and Drums
Week 4: Mixing and Effects
Week 5: Creative Arranging and Start of Final Projects
Week 6: Podcasting and Final Project Work
Week 7: History of Music Production and Digital Music Making and Final Project Work
Week 8: Exporting Final Projects and Conclusions

The Digital Audio Production program runs from November 27th – January 31st. For more information and/or to register online, please visit www.pluggedinband.org.

Newton City Seal

Mayor Fuller has convened an ad hoc Working Group to consider the design of the Newton City Seal. As they embark on their journey, they are looking for feedback from the community. Click here to read Historic Newton’s brief history of the seal.

There are three ways to provide input to the Working Group.

Want to learn more about the seal’s history? Historic Newton will present a program entitled “A Closer Look at Newton’s City Seal” on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:00 p.m. Why did city leaders in 1865 choose an image of Christian missionary John Eliot proselytizing to Waban and other native people in the 1640s? What does the image convey? Register here.

Tutor available

Licensed and experienced teacher looking for part time teaching/tutoring (in person or virtual) positions.

– DESE licensed in Early Childhood Education , Reading, ESL, English (pending license in elementary mild/moderate special needs)
– Masters in Reading
– 20 years classroom experience
– parent of two teens with special needs
– Newton resident
– many family references

Please email LessonswithLani2@gmail.com or visit www.LessonswithLani.com.

Family advocate available

Looking for help advocating for your children’s special needs during this unprecedented time? Or maybe you need help navigating state and local systems of care for your child with complex needs? Lani, a 20 year veteran educator as well as a Newton-based special needs single mom of 2 exceptional teens, can help.

Contact her for a free consultation at FamilyvoiceAdvocates@gmail.com or visit www.familyvoiceadvocates.com. Sliding scale fee structure based on household income.

ActiveMinds Tutoring is Flexible

While school goes online, keep an active mind! 14 years providing in-person and online tutoring for all academic subjects, studying skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT).

Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about our personalized plans with experienced tutors.
Call 617-227-2225, email info@activemindstutoring.com or visit http://www.activemindstutoring.com/testimonials.html