Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Youth Races to Support Newton Athletes Unlimited

The virtual edition of the annual Paddy’s Road Race will take place from October 16th – 18th this year. This great race benefits Newton Athletes Unlimited, a non-profit that provides therapeutic recreation opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.

In addition to the 3 mile race, this year’s virtual event offers a 1K Youth and All Abilities Race, as well as, Youth Field Races. All participants will receive a t-shirt, bib and medal. To learn more and to register please visit www.paddysroadrace.com.

New Kid Author Jerry Craft!

Newbery Award and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author/illustrator Jerry Craft takes us behind the scenes of his bestselling graphic novel New Kid and the upcoming Class Act. Join in on Zoom as Jerry gives tweens and their families a look into his writing and drawing process.

This event will be moderated by Morgan Harper, a Library Teacher at Peirce and Williams Elementary Schools and is intended for 5th to 8th-graders and their families. Please use this google form to register for this event. They will send regsitered participants the Zoom link on the day of the event.

This program is part of Overdue: Confronting Race and Racism in Newton, a city-wide read and series of events and conversations on race and racism.

October 28th at 7:00 pm

Events leading up to award-winning author/illustrator Jerry Craft’s Virtual Visit

Newton Free Library will provide lead-up events to the virtual visit from the Newbery and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author/illustrator Jerry Craft which include book clubs, a comic workshop, and a New Kid Trivia Night for grades 5 to 8.

New Kid Book Clubs
Take part in a lively conversation about Jerry Craft’s Newbery Award-winning New Kid. Participants in this book club will help brainstorm questions to ask Jerry Craft during his visit. Registration required to receive the zoom link. New Kid is available on Hoopla. Grades 5 – 8. October 7th, 8th, and 13th,  7:00 pm

Draw Your Own Comics!
Come have fun while drawing your own comics! In this workshop, students will play drawing games, generate ideas for their own characters, and start to write their own comic book stories. All levels of experience welcome! Workshop is run by Cathy G. Johnson, Providence-based writer and author of the graphic novel The Breakaways! Registration required to receive the zoom link. Grades 5 to 8. October 14th,  7:00 pm

New Kid Trivia Night
Use your New Kid knowledge to challenge your friends and family in a fun evening of trivia. Library staff will challenge players with questions taken from the pages of New Kid on Zoom. No restrictions on team size. One registration per team. The Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event. This event is kids, tweens, and their families. October 21st,  7:00 pm

BASCP in the Cloud Remote Programming

The Bowen After School Care Program is running remote programming for families in the community. For $5.00 per hour, less than a fancy cup of joe, your child will have access to numerous engaging opportunities throughout the week. The K-1 Program students have been having a wonderful time getting to know each other, participating in daily activities, and being silly. Daily activities have been carefully planned to allow for learning, socializing, hands-on creating, and movement.

The 2-5 Program students have enjoyed their 3:00 pm meeting time in which they have an opportunity to share with their peers about their school day, extracurricular activities, and discuss the Topic of the Day (Big Foot, fossils, sharks, etc.). At 3:30 pm is when the magic begins, the first of two classes of the day. Students have been engrossed in their work and have been exploring numerous skills ranging from cooking to 3D printing. Materials are provided in the activity supply kits that are delivered for each class. Continue reading →

Newtones (an award-winning a capella group at Newton South) Informational Meetings

Are you interested in singing? Looking for an a cappella group? Seeking new members from all grades to join the Newton South Newtones!

To learn about their social-distanced auditions, make sure you come to an information meeting for audition details and info on all other things Newtones! The meetings are no commitment so no worries if you end up deciding this isn’t the group for you. They’re simply an easy way to get info and to meet/see the group!

You don’t have to come to both meetings; they will have the same info. If you can’t make it to either session, don’t worry because they’ll post the recorded webinar on YouTube and likely IGTV as well following the zoom.

If you know anyone at Newton South who may be interested in auditioning for this award-winning, fun group, please spread the word! Email thenshsnewtones@gmail.com or dm us on Instagram with any questions.

Information meetings:

September 30th,  6:15pm at the Brown/Oak Hill field. If you plan on coming to the in person session please come wearing a mask!

October 1st,  8:00 pm via Zoom. The link for the webinar is http://bit.ly/Newts21

Outdoor Yoga for Kids and Middle School Girls Empowerment

Artemis Yoga is excited to share two new outdoor yoga series for kids and middle school girls this fall. Classes will be held outdoors at Filippello Park in Watertown for as long as the weather holds out!

1. Kids Outdoor Yoga Series – starts September 30th!
Join on Wednesday afternoons outdoors through the end of October and then move indoors to Zoom or the Artemis Yoga classroom for the remainder of the series. Class is an hour-long yoga class for elementary school aged children led by experienced educator and yoga instructor, Tracy Affonso.

September 30th – December 9th,  10 Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Registration fee: $160. Bring your own yoga mat. Register here: http://bit.ly/kidsoutdooryogasept30

2. Middle School Girls Empowerment Outdoor Yoga Series – starts October 2nd!
Join on Friday afternoons outdoors for Artemis Girls: Stand Strong, Stand Tall ™, a girls empowerment program for middle school age girls. This popular program builds strength, stamina and self-confidence in order to navigate the challenges this school year will bring. By incorporating breath awareness and mindfulness activities, girls will notice Continue reading →

Reading Tutor available

Dorie Fried is an experienced Orton-Gillingham Reading Tutor who has worked with children in grades K-6 with dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, children on the Autism Spectrum, and children with other learning challenges in a variety of educational settings. She’s also trained in L.I.P.S, RAVO, Project Read, FUNDATIONS, Lively Letters, and Empowered and strongly believes that given the appropriate teaching, ALL children can learn to both read and to find joy in reading.

If interested, please contact Dorie at either 617-969-3324 or doriefried79@gmail.com.

Join Debate Spaces Academy

The 2020-2021 Debate Spaces Academy schedule is now available! Debate Spaces uses debate to foster civic engagement while connecting students and imparting real-world skills. On September 26th they’re bringing students together for a day of debate games, learning from advocates, and a debate focusing on the ever-urgent climate crisis.

No prior debate, public speaking, or social-change experience is necessary. Debate Spaces Academy convenes once a month on Saturday throughout the school year over Zoom. Register for one or multiple sessions at a time. See flyer here: Debate.

Learn more and register at www.debatespaces.org.

Two enrichment programs

Fall Enrichment Classes at JCC Greater Boston
Explore Virtual & In-Person Fall Enrichment Classes for families and children of all ages and interests. Coding, dance, STEM, art, baby classes, music and more, led by expert instructors, offered 6 days a week. Fall Session 1 runs from September 13th – October 26th. For children ages 0-14 years. Cost from $75-180 depending on class selected. To learn more visit bostonjcc.org/fall or contact childrensclasses@jccgb.org.

Virtual Study Buddies
JCC Greater Boston is here to help you and your child thrive on remote learning days! Virtual Study Buddies provides families with experienced instructors with relevant academic and professional backgrounds. Instructors will keep kids engaged and on-track with school assignments, while breaking up their session with virtual games and movement to ensure their time together is rooted in activity, routine and connection. The Virtual Study Buddies program is extremely flexible, and will work with you to accommodate your specific schedule. For elementary-age children. Hourly rate of $30-35 per hour depending on package selected. To learn more visit bostonjcc.org/studybuddies or contact family@jccgb.org.

Virtual voice lessons or virtual counseling

Danielle Pinals,  a singing teacher and mental health counselor, is offering the following services:

Break It Down Vocals: 15% discount on virtual voice lessons to new students through the end of September. At checkout, the discount code is: BREAKITDOWN.

Real Talk Private Practice: as a therapist helping creative young adults (ages 13-35) access a resilient spirit, identify worthiness, and pursue a meaningful life. All sessions are currently online.