Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Does your child love to sing?

Do you have a child that loves to sing? Join VOICES BOSTON children’s chorus for our 2016-2017 season! With singing at its core and training in dance and drama, VOICES BOSTON changes the lives of its children, building confidence, discipline, leadership and a love of music that will last a lifetime. Throughout its history, VOICES BOSTON has collaborated with internationally known ensembles including the Boston Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Pops, Boston University Opera Institute, Boston Baroque, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and Boston Early Music Festival. VOICES choristers perform a wide range of repertoire, from classical to world music, gospel to new music and present an opera every year.

They are holding auditions for placement on May 22nd. To sign up for a time or just learn more about the program, visit www.voicesboston.org or contact:

Kathryn DiMaria, 857-366-0034, kd******@**********on.org or Nina Pelligra,
617-735-0012, np*******@**********on.org.

Boston Patio Playhouse is now registering for summer programs

The Backyard Opera Summer Program is open to students ages 12-18 who love opera, operetta, and classic musical theater. Camp session is July 5th – 15th, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The Front Porch Players Musical Theater Summer Program is for students ages 11-18 who love classic and contemporary musical theater. Camp session is August 1st – 12th, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

During each two-week program students will receive training in voice, dance, drama, and backstage skills, while working on either an Opera Gala or a Broadway Musical Revue performance! No auditions necessary, and each student will be cast as a soloist. Both programs are located in Coolidge Corner, Brookline. Visit www.bostonpatioplayhouse.com for more information and to register today!

Summer robotics and coding camps

If you’re looking for ways to energize your children’s summer routines and give them an edge in the classroom in the fall, you’ve got great options with Sylvan’s STEM camps!

Robotics and Coding Camps
$225 Half Day, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$399 Full Day, 9:30 am- 4:30 pm

Grades 1-3
July 18th- 22nd or August 8th- 12th

Grades 4-6
July 11th- 15th or August 1st-5th

These unique fun and educational robotics/coding camps fill up fast, so register today to hold your spot! Call 617-264-4150 or email Br**********@************ng.com

Sylvan Learning
1626 Beacon Street
Brookline

Join the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services

The City of Newton is looking for volunteers on the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services. The Advisory Council of Health and Human Services is made up of two registered physicians, 5 non-professionals and the Commissioner of Health and Human Services serving as Chair. The Advisory council serves as a support and advice group for the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. The Health and Human Services department oversees public health, environmental health, school health, social services, youth services, emergency preparedness and weights and measures.

The meetings are held quarterly. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Council of Health and Human Services, please send a letter of interest, and resume to Coordinator of Boards and Commissions, Office of the Mayor, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 or apply on-line http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/featured/Boards_openings.asp

Teacher Appreciation Week

 Time to Honor Thy Teacher! May 2nd – 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week! What better time to recognize your child’s teacher(s), classroom aides, specialists, and school staff through Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher Program.

Honor Thy Teacher is a great way to say “Thank You” to the wonderful men and women who motivate, educate and inspire our kids to be the best they can be.When you recognize teachers and staff through Honor Thy Teacher, you’ll also be supporting the Newton Public Schools. NSF celebrates teachers and staff by:

  • Notifying honorees of your gift
  • Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
  • Listing all honored teachers and staff in a full-page display in the Newton TAB

Suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member, which will help NSF fund innovative and creative programs throughout Newton’s schools. You can donate on line by visiting the NSF web site or by check made out to “Newton Schools Foundation” sent to P.O. Box 590020, Newton, MA, 02459. Be sure to include the name(s) and school(s) of those you wish to honor. Elementary school parents may complete the flyer that went home in your child’s backpack.

Questions? Call 617-559-6120 or email in**@*********************on.org.

Walk and Bike to School Day

Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force is sponsoring a Walk and Bike to School day on May 5th. Newton students will be joining children across the Commonwealth walking and biking to school, celebrating their livable communities. Their active commute is good for the environment, makes them healthier, and gives them more time to be with friends. The exercise also helps charge their brains and bodies for a good day of learning.

We also applaud “the bus heroes” who are not able to walk or bike but instead take the bus helping to reduce vehicle traffic around the schools. We are also encouraging students on the bus to thank their bus drivers and the crossing guards who make their safe commutes possible. Handmade cards or even an extra big thank you to the drivers would be greatly appreciated. For more information feel free to visit SRTS on Facebook at Newton Safe Routes to School.

Become a Diller Teen Fellow

The Diller Teen Fellows is an international youth leadership program for 10th and 11th grade students currently available in 26 cities in North America, South Africa, Australia and Israel. In Boston, the program is administered by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Twenty Boston area Jewish teens – the JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellows – are selected based on leadership aptitude, commitment to Jewish learning, interest in exploring their connection to Israel and passion for community service.

The Fellowship year runs from September 2016 to December 2017 and includes 12 Sunday afternoon workshops, three weekend retreats, two overnight experiences, 10-day hosting of a Diller Teen Fellow from Haifa in the spring, and a three-week summer seminar in Israel. Applicants must be current 9th or 10th graders (10th or 11th graders in fall of 2016).

Two information sessions will take place on May 1st and May 24th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton. To register for one of the sessions, visit www.bostonjcc.org/diller. To learn more, contact te***@***gb.org or 617-558-6512.

Free Bike Safety Check

Bike Newton and Landry’s Bicycles are teaming up to make certain your bike is ready and safe for the beautiful biking season ahead, including the upcoming Tour de Newton on June 19th (Father’s Day). They will have mechanics on hand to check tires, brakes, gears and bike fit, making minor adjustments or repairs if necessary. Bring your helmets as well so they can check the fit. All bicyclists welcome. For more information on how to get your bike ready for the season go to: http://bikeleague.org/content/smart-cycling-tips-0

May 7th, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Newton Centre Green (across from Panera Bread)

Ethnic Heritage Festival and Mother’s Day Poetry Walk

Heritage Festival Featuring: Craft Vendors; Indian, Thai and Mexican food; henna; face painting; free arts & crafts; fun games and activities, inflatable obstacle courses and Roaming Railroad. Free admission.

Enjoy exciting performances by multiple ethnic groups, including Indian, Chinese, Ugandan, Vietnamese, Italian, Jewish, and even some Flamenco dance! Celebrate India’s colorful and vibrant culture by joining the Indo-American Youth Group volunteers to paint Indian folk murals welcoming Spring to Newton. If you are a sari-wearer or have been gifted one by a relative, come share your wearing style and audio record the story of your sari at the “Journeys with your Saris” booth. Join in with the Bollywood-inspired Zumba dancing for some great exercise and fun. Everyone can take part in the Indian folk-art mural painting, and try out some Chinese calligraphy and Tai-chi.

Mother’s Day Poetry Walk: In honor of mothers from near and far, poem contest winners who put their moms to poetry will supply a background of these words for all to read. Ten winning poems selected by event chair and award winning Newton poet, Grey Held will be chalked onto the stairs of the War Memorial Auditorium steps at City Hall. The poets will assemble at 11:00 am on Sunday to read their moving poems. For more information, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org/festival

May 8th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Newton City Hall Grounds, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue (rain location: City Hall)