Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

The Civil Rights Movement Then & Now: April 2

As part of its series, The Civil Rights Movement Then & Now, Historic Newton is hosting a lecture by author and civil rights lawyer, Gordon Martin.

Shortly after completing law school, Gordon Martin was one of a dozen lawyers working for the Civil Rights Division of Robert Kennedy’s Justice Department. In 1963, he prepared United States v. Theron Lynd, the Justice Department’s first major voting rights case to go to trial in Mississippi. He will speak about this experience and its brave witnesses, who are the subject of his book, Count Them One by One: Black Mississippians Fighting for the Right to Vote.

Date: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Durant-Kenrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue.
Free and open to the public

Co-sponsored by the Newton Human Rights Commission, Myrtle Baptist Church, and the Newton Department of Senior Services.

Question, persuade, refer

QPR suicide prevention training will be held in Newton on April 2nd , 7th, and 15th. QPR stands for question, persuade, refer and is an educational program that teaches ordinary citizens to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and get help for those in need. This program is for adults. To register visit www.newtonma.gov/newtoncares.

April Vacation Camp

Looking for something for your 1st or 2nd grade child to do over April vacation? Look no further! Top Banana is offering an educational camp where students will play logic games, participate in reading circles and work on their fine motor skills! You can sign up for 1 day, 2 days or the whole week, whatever works best for your family!

They are also offering handwriting workshops throughout the week! You can either sign your child up for just the handwriting workshop or for the camp day, plus the workshop! To register your child for one or more days, if you have questions or concerns, please contact Ashley at (617) 795-1557 or by email az******@****************on.org.

Starting School or Pre-School with Food Allergies?

Parents need to do some homework first. Entering pre-school or kindergarten is a big step for every child and parent, but poses special challenges if the child has food allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter is sponsoring a meeting for parents to learn how to address these issues. There is no charge to attend and pre-registration is not required.

Guest speaker Jan Hanson, founder of Educating for Food Allergies, LLC, has been providing consulting services and educational workshops to parents and school personnel since 2001.  There will be time for questions and discussion following her presentation.

Tuesday, April 8th at 7:00 pm at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

AAFA New England organizes educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information or free fact sheets about managing food allergies at school or child care, call 781-444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org.

After School Enrichment Program Open House

Bright Pearl Chinese and Arts After School Enrichment Program  provides a safe and enjoyable environment for elementary children to spark cultural discovery through art, education, and engagement.  Their Mandarin language class offers a thematic curriculum developed through years of teaching experience. Students will develop their Chinese language skills in a fun and productive environment. The extra activities cover the spectrum of traditional arts such as arts and crafts, Chinese brush painting, singing, drumming, dancing, and martial arts. The wide exposure to fun activities allows all children to maximize their potential.

They will host an open house on Sunday April 20th from 12:00-2:00  pm at GBCCA. Please visit the website for more information  www.brightpearlacademy.com.

Sunday, April 20th, 12:00 -2:00 pm
437 Cheery Street, Newton

Are you looking for Jewish learning for your child?

Kesher Newton now enrolling for Fall, 2014. Kesher Newton is an after-school program that offers a hands on and indepth approach to Jewish learning for students in grades K-7! Now located on Hammond Pond Parkway, convenient to Newton, housed inside the building of Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Kesher’s warm and inviting new space accommodates its expanding student base and its many family activities.

Kesher Newton is a nationally-recognized alternative to traditional Hebrew School, where children learn Jewish culture and Hebrew language in a spirited, camp-like environment. Kesher’s innovative curriculum challenges students intellectually, while fostering Jewish commitment, joy of learning, and active community participation.  Kesher Newton is an independent pluralistic community that is welcoming to all.

For more information, contact Kesher Newton at 617-244-5390 or email in**@**********on.org .

Are you concerned about your child’s academic performance?

Do you want to learn how to improve and maintain their grades?

Brain Excel specializes in providing individual training to improve attention, memory, and reasoning. Certified trainers assess and target these cognitive skills through customized exercises to improve your child’s academic performance.  They are also introducing a Group Brain Training where your child may train for free!

To find out more contact us at in**@***xl.com or 781-530-6677 or www.brnxl.com.

LatinSummer Camp

Introducing “LatinSummer Boston,” a two-week summer enrichment program that provides students in grades 1-7 a unique chance to learn about Latin and the classical world! Creative and enthusiastic instructors will provide a wide array of exciting and hands-on activities that introduce students to many varied aspects of classical and conversational Latin, Greco-Roman mythology, and Roman culture and daily life. No prior knowledge of Latin or Classics is required.

LatinSummer Boston will run from July 21st – August 1st, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm   at The Brimmer & May School in Chestnut Hill. Registration fee is $295 with significantly reduced rates also available depending on financial need. Tee-shirts provided! Registrations are accepted by mail or online through May 31st. For more information and to register, please visit www.ascaniusyci.org/boston – this summer, let’s carpe diem and do as the Romans did!

This week is the Newton Youth Summit, March 26th

Comedian Kevin Breel — a 20-year-old activist working in the area of depression and mental health — will speak at Newton’s third annual Youth Summit, Wednesday, March 26th from 6:00 -9:00 pm at the Newton North auditorium.

See Kevin Breel’s TEDx talk, “Confessions of a Depressed Comic” and learn more at his website, www.kevinbreel.com. 

The Summit is open to teens, parents, and other community members and will focus on youth/adult communications, difficult conversations, and the results of the first two Summits.  The Mayor’s Youth Summits are sponsored by the Newton Youth Commission, City of Newton Health and Human Services Department, and The Newton Partnership to focus on challenges and solutions facing Newton teens.