Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Summer ideas for Middle and High Schoolers

Newton South High School will host the 12th Annual Teen Summer Program Expo. The event is FREE, open to the public and will be held in the cafeteria. Find the perfect summer experience for middle and high school students. Meet directors of enriching summer programs in the U.S. & abroad. Programs for every budget and include academic, adventure, travel, community service, internships, sport instruction, language immersion, arts/theatre/music, college prep and gap year programs. Efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, safety, & supervision. For more information contact la***@***************rk.com or at 617-244-3316.

February 8th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road
Snow date: February 9th

Time for Partners is going home!

After a wonderful season at the warm and inviting Auburndale Community Library, Time for Partners is returning to Newton City Hall for the Winter/Spring session. The construction of the elevator for the War Memorial Auditorium of Newton City Hall is complete, and the class has returned to its new and improved home!

It is easier than ever to bring your stroller to the class, simply access the elevator on the Homer Street side of City Hall. Space is limited and fills up quickly in the ever popular Art & Music class for children ages 18 months to 4 years with an adult.

Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture for more information and to register.

Learn to Play the Ukelele!

For kids in Grades 2 – 5 who want to learn an instrument and explore the world of musicianship. Students will learn basics of the instrument, including rhythmic strumming and chords, and they will be playing songs in just a few weeks. The class is taught by Paula Gannon – Time for Partners music teacher. Class sizes are small, so sign up soon. Bring your own instrument or contact teacher for rental. Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture or call 617-796-1540 for information.

February 2nd – April 5th,  1:45 – 2:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center
City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

What’s Happening at the Y

Try the Y Tuesdays – All Month Long
Discover all you can do at the Y. Every Tuesday in January, you’re invited to enjoy the pools, state-of-the art fitness center, gymnasium, cycle studio, group exercises and more! It’s absolutely FREE. There’s no obligation to join. No fees to pay. Enjoy fun and healthy activities, make new friendships and discover ALL that the Y offers.

Something for Everyone – Early & Late Spring Programs at the Y
Spring into action with Early and Late Spring programs at the Y. Registration for Early Spring Programs opens on February 1st for YMCA members, and February 5th for nonmembers. Early Spring programs begin the week of February 22nd.

· Learn to swim – swimming lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
· Lifeguard Training Certification Classes
· Sports Leagues – Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football
· School Vacation Week Programs
· Adult Sports Leagues – Pick-Up Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
· Music and Creative Arts programs
· Summer Camp – Day Camps and Overnight Camp
· Personal Training and Small Group Training

Visit wsymca.org to download a copy of the Early the Late Program Spring Guide, or stop by the Y and they can help you register.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is now offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a 12 week program that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. Continue reading →

Important NewtonPAC meeting on January 20th

The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education (NewtonPAC) will host a meeting on High School Programs and Transition from middle school on January 20th.

The meeting agenda will be:

6:30 pm Welcome and Announcements
6:35-6:45 pm High School Administrators: What to expect from your Transition Team meeting
6:45- 7:30 pm High School Programs and Q&A
7:30-8:00 pm Transition Issues Panel: High School Administrators and parents including: Continue reading →

Teen Making Smart Choices

Middle School and High School students, parents, and guardians are invited to a fun, free EXPO. Teens and adults are encouraged to come to the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live musical performances; free refreshments; and fun.

Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from driving and pedestrian safety to healthy eating and positive body image to stress reduction and mental health support.

Highlights:

• Community resources for teens
• FREE and fun!
• Treat bags for first 50 students who come with a parent/guardian
• Giveaways and refreshments
• Prize drawing: Beats headphones
• “American Ninja Warrior” live demo!

Newton North High School
January 21st,  5:00 to 7:30 pm

Save the date for a Fun Free EXPO

Middle School and High School students, parents, and guardians are invited to a fun, free EXPO. Teens and adults are encouraged to come to the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live musical performances; free refreshments; and fun.

Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from driving and pedestrian safety to healthy eating and positive body image to stress reduction and mental health support.

Highlights:

• Community resources for teens
• FREE and fun!
• Treat bags for first 50 students who come with a parent/guardian
• Giveaways and refreshments
• Prize drawing: Beats headphones
• “American Ninja Warrior” live demo!

Newton North High School
January 21st,  5:00 to 7:30 pm

Forum on High School start time on January 26th

Save the date! Join the Newton South PTSO and Newton North’s School Council to continue the community conversation around the impact of inadequate sleep on our teens and to explore the research on and impacts of starting high school later.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Christopher Landrigan, Director of the Sleep and Patient Safety Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Research Director of Inpatient Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital—who is also a South parent! If you missed last April’s forum at South, this is an important way to catch up on the research and join the conversation—with a new keynote speaker and updated information.

January 26th, 7:00 pm
Newton North cafeteria

QPR Training: Three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide

Join Mayor Setti D. Warren at The Street, Chestnut Hill for a FREE workshop on Suicide Prevention called QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. The training is appropriate for everyone.

Nanci Ginty Butler, LICSW, of the Riverside Trauma Center and also the parent of an Angier student will be giving the presentation. There is no fee, however registration is required and space is limited. Register at www.newtonma.gov/newtoncares. Questions? Please call 617-796-1420.

January 13th
5:00 pm, reception at DelFrisco’s Grill at The Street, 33 Boylston Street
6:00 – 8:00 pm, training will follow at the nearby WS Development Offices

Free Camp Fair

Don’t miss this free event if you have a child attending camp this summer! For the first time ever, the Underwood PTO has organized a FREE public event: the New England Camp Fair.

The Camp Fair is open to ALL local families.  Over 30 camps from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut will be participating. Attending camps serve kids ages 6-14 and represent a mix of day and overnight camps. Participating camps run the gamut from traditional style camps to sports, computer, arts and other specialty themed camps. Come to the fair with your prospective camper and meet in person with Camp Directors and staff from the premier camps in New England. www.newenglandcampfair.org

February 3rd, 5:30-8 pm
Bigelow Middle School