Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Upcoming Teen Events @ the Library

Pasta Making,  December 15th, 4:00 pm, Druker Auditorium

Ever wondered how the professionals make handmade pasta and cheese-filled ravioli? Come learn how they get that great filling inside a ravioli. Have you ever heard of lemon pasta, or black pepper noodles? We will knead and roll out our own pasta, and make homemade ravioli. Teens can take the ravioli home to cook and will be provided with a recipe for a delicious, easy, brown butter sage sauce. Grades 6-12. Register online.

Trivia Nite @ the Library, December 28th, 6:30 pm, Druker Auditorium

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 we can match you with fellow devotees. Refreshments will be provided. Teens and families welcome. Register online.

In home tutoring available

ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for in-home tutoring. Effective, Personalized and Convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation. Sign your child up today for academic success!

Call: 617-663-5700 during business hours, or 617-227-2225 evenings and weekends.Please visit the web site at www.activemindstutoring.com.

Donate to NSF to Support ALL Newton Schools

Global study. Computer coding. Vibrant writing. Middle school engineering. Social/emotional learning. These are among the many varied and exciting initiatives Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) supports in the Newton Public Schools. And they do it thanks to the generosity of Newton community members like you.

For five decades NSF has provided funding for educational efforts that are hard to address in the school department’s operating budget. As the holidays approach, please donate to NSF so our schools can continue to best serve our kids. DONATE HERE

Your donation allows NSF to fund
• Dynamic new curricula for all students.
• Teacher training for Newton educators on effective, up-to-date teaching practices.
• Achievement gap programs and scholarships for low-income and minority students.

The programs they support span Newton’s diverse student population and impact all of Newton’s 12,000 students. As you make your year-end donations, please include Newton Schools Foundation in your giving. Visit www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org.

Beat the New Year Rush. Join the Y in December and Save!

Jumpstart your New Year Resolutions and sign up for a membership at the Y in December. Join any time in December and your first monthly payment isn’t due until January 15, 2016. The sooner you join, the more you save.

Stop by 276 Church Street and the Welcome Center staff can help you get started today.

Something for Everyone – Winter Programs at the Y (Brochure here)
There is something for everyone this winter.  Winter Programs run from January 4th through February 14th. At the Y you’ll find a variety of programs designed to nurture the potential of children and improve health and well-being through all stages of life.

What’s New in the New Year?

· Karate for all ages
· Adaptive sports program called Super Soccer Stars “Shine” program
· Indoor Field Hockey Skills Clinic
· Multi-Cultural Family Choir
· Total Transformation (T2) Challenge
· Targeted Fitness programs for Men and Women

Registration Dates:

· West Suburban YMCA members may register beginning Monday, December 7, 2015
· Non-Members may register beginning Friday, December 11, 2015

Visit www.westsuburbanymca.org or stop by the Y to register.

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

Leadership Workshop

Lumos Debate is offering a 3 day leadership workshop for middle school students during Winter break. Your child will practice critical thinking, argumentation, and public speaking in a fun and engaging learning environment. These are the leadership skills that will help your child thrive in the world after middle school. Lumos has created games and activities that students absolutely love. Your child is going to have a blast! Guaranteed. Register at: lumosdebate.com/workshop.

1349 Center St, Newton Centre
December 28th – 30th (Mon – Wed), 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Effective College Consulting services tailored to your family’s needs

FUTURE CHOICE College Consulting (futurechoicecollegeconsulting.com) offers a focused, balanced approach to the college selection and application process through hands-on support and guidance. Whether your child is staring down applications at the 11th hour as a senior, or just beginning the higher education exploration process as a sophomore or junior, Cory Alperstein offers a student-driven strategy sensitive to individual personalities and aspirations, based on good information and utilizing an agreed upon plan of action.

Advising includes consideration of academic courses, extra-curricular activities and summer plans as part of an applicant’s story. It also includes focused work on the writing of college essays that will tell that story to admissions officers. Please contact Cory Alperstein for a free 45 minute initial consult today at: futurechoicecollegeconsulting@gmail.com.

Tutor/Coach available

Tutor/Coach, retired from the Wellesley Public Schools and currently working at MassBay Community College, is available to tutor K-5th grade reading, writing and math. Haralie also work as an educational coach for middle school, high school and college age students (note taking, organizational skills, summarizing, self-advocacy). Please contact Haralie at 617-630-0608 or at ha*****@***il.com.

Book Discussion of Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be

College admissions has become an increasingly frenetic and pressured process. While our high schools in Newton have developed a college planning philosophy designed to support students and families, the energy, angst and resources devoted to the process can push some students and their families to the brink.

What should we do about a phenomenon that can feel out of control? Join Newton Superintendent of Schools, David Fleishman, and a panel of experts in the admissions process as they discuss key themes from Frank Bruni’s book, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be.

The panelists will include:

  • Jennifer King, College Consultant and Retired Guidance Department Head, Newton South High School
  • Daniel Rubin, Guidance Department Head, Newton South High School
  • Beth Swederskas, Guidance Department Head, Newton North High School
  • Ronne Patrick Turner, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions – Northeastern University

You do not need to have read the book to attend the discussion. Feel free to visit the website for articles relevant to the discussion; http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bookdiscussion2015.

December 2nd, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton South High School

Newton Community Farm – Early Release Special…

Early Release Special, preschool Farm Sprouts and a January cooking program:

The holidays are here but there are still a number of opportunities to come and enjoy educational programs for kids at Newton Community Farm. For more information and to preregister (required) please visit www.newtoncommunityfarm.org/education

Coming in December:

* Late Fall Farm Sprouts – Tuesdays December 1st, 8th and 15th, 10:00 – 11:00 am
* Early Release Special – Holiday decorations – Thursday December 3rd, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

2016 Programs!!!! Get a head start and sign up now!!

Historic Newton Upcoming Events

Community Weekend at Historic Newton
Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to both our museums. Please note that part of the Jackson Homestead is closed for renovations.

Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue and
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street
December 5th and 6th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

From Ginger to Jello: Unexpected Christmas History
The nineteenth century poem that begins, “‘Twas the night before Christmas” has given us visions of sugarplums, but in reality, the Puritans banned Christmas in 1659 and celebrations were somewhat muted until Christmas became a Massachusetts holiday in 1856. This program traces the authentic history of Christmas celebrations in New England through popular foods of the 1770s, 1850s and 1930s. Sample and smell the tastes of Christmas and leave with historic recipes to try.

Tickets are $10 per person; $8 for seniors, students, and members.

Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
December 9th, 7:00 pm