Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

The West Suburban YMCA is open!

The West Suburban YMCA reopened its doors to new and existing members on July 6th, following the state’s transition into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. New protocols are in place to align with all guidelines and recommendations outlined by the CDC, state, and local health departments.

Visit the reopening guide for more about the West Suburban YMCA’s new protocols.

Summer Eats
Free Meals for Kids & Teens through September 4th
The West Suburban YMCA has partnered with the Metrowest YMCA to participate in Summer Eats, Massachusetts’ Summer Food Service Program. The federally funded nutrition program provides free, healthy meals to all children ages 18 and under when school is not in session. Meals are available for pick-up at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (lunch) and 3:00 – 4:00 pm (snack) through September 4, 2020. Kids and teens who wish to pick up a lunch or snack should check-in at the Y’s Welcome Center.

Fall Programs
The Y is offering programming in swimming, sports, music, and fitness this fall! Small group and private sessions are available. All programming follows state health and safety guidelines. Visit the Y’s website for more information and registration.

Childcare and Out-of-School Time
Preschool and Out-of-School Time are planning for Fall 2020 programming. The Out-of-School Time program will offer full-day care to support distance learning and complement Newton Public Schools plan for the fall. Programs have been adapted to meet guidelines and safety protocols outlined by the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, and local health departments.

Open Gym and Outdoor Hoop
Court A in the gymnasium is available for basketball by reservation. Reservations are 60 minutes long and limited to 1 person or 1 family/household per appointment time. Please bring your own basketball and a water bottle. To make reservations visit wsymca.org/reservations.

The Y also installed an outdoor basketball hoop in the rear parking lot for member use. Members must scan in at the Welcome Center before using the hoop and everyone must bring their own basketball. Reservations to are not required, but it is only available during certain hours.

Family Swim
The small pool is available for family swim by reservation. Reservation slots are for 30 minutes and are limited to one family/household and a maximum for 6 family members. To make reservations visit wsymca.org/reservations.

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 an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Save the date for this Free webinar

Families for Depression Awareness is presenting the free Navigating Teen Depression and Substance Use as a Family webinar next month.

In this webinar, David Blair LCSW, CACIII, AAMFT, and Jamie Blair Echevarria, LCSW, LMFT, CACIII, will cover how caring adults can fully engage in the process of prevention and treatment for adolescent substance use and depression. This program is designed for parents, guardians, family members, youth workers, and any caring adults interested in teen mental health.

Register here to join the live webinar discussion and after the webinar, complete the online evaluation and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free educational book on the topic of teen depression.

Can’t attend the live webinar? Register today to submit your questions and watch the recorded webinar after it airs.

If you are new to the topic of teen depression or in need of a refresher, please watch  Understanding Teen Depression as a foundation to this upcoming webinar.

September 23rd, 7:00 – 8:15 pm

Attention parents of high school seniors!

College Application Essay Writing workshop starting this Monday, August 17th.

  • Start to finish product in one week
  • Receive edits and feedback from two ELA teachers with 15 years experience each in guiding students in this process
  • Ramp up into academic mindset for one’s senior year
  • Check off one task before school starts
  • One in-person, socially distant two-hour workshop outside in Auburndale, Monday 9:30-11:30 (highly suggested but not required)
  • 3-4 30 min sessions of remote conferencing with two teacher-editors
  • Limited to six students (five spots remaining)
  • Students should be ready to commit to 8-10 hours of work to get this done
  • $300/student

Contact Erin Giesser 617 293-5104 to register!

Writing tutor available

Abby Kurzman has over ten years of experience providing writing and editing support to students in grades 5-PhD — including college application essays, SAT & ACT prep, and literary analysis. Reasonable rates and references from Newton parents available. Home schoolers welcome!

Please feel free to visit her website www.gowriteworkshop.com and contact Abby with questions at abby@gowriteworkshop.com.

Come to camp all year round with BJEP

The Newton community is invited to meet new Community Director, Rabbi Myra Meskin, learn about an independent Jewish Sunday school for Grades K-7 located (and eventually back) on the Brandeis campus, and take part in a short family program.

Join to hear more about this welcoming community, and how Brandeis student teachers lead experiential learning and cultivate the experience of radical amazement for all kids. RSVP to attend the August 23rd (virtual) Taste of BJEP Open House, zoom link to follow one hour before the event.

To learn more please visit www.bjep.org  or contact director@bjep.com or 781-386-7278.

Open Houses for Highlands After School Program

The Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, is hosting Zoom Open Houses for interested families weekly in July. Here’s the link for information on how to join: https://www.highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org/announcements.

This is a terrific opportunity for parents to learn more about the program as they plan for the upcoming school year. There’s a lot of uncertainty in school schedules and HASP is planning for all possible school day scenarios.

If you can’t make a Zoom meeting or would like more information contact Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit https://www.highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org

July 10th, 16th, 21st and 29th. via Zoom

ELL Summer Enrichment

Check out online ELL enrichment this summer. There are Story Times and Conversation Groups being offered over 8 weeks of the summer at the elementary level. These groups are meant to be a fun and engaging way for your child to practice their English and meet other students their age. Additionally, there will be Spanish and Portuguese Story Hours for students who speak these languages as their home language.

There is no need to pre register. This is a drop in activity. Just click on the zoom links in this page to join the group on the day of the class.

If you need help or more information, please contact Allison Levit at levita@newton.k12.ma.us

Science Mentoring Program

The Newton South Science Team is starting a middle school mentorship program to give interested students an introduction to high school science. COVID-19 unfortunately has cut the middle school science curriculum short, and it would be beneficial to rising freshmen (and younger students) to not only regain some of that lost time over the summer, but also interact with high schoolers.

They’ll be going over the basics of physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as other topics like engineering. Science Team members would love to mentor anyone with an interest in learning about science. For more information simply fill out this survey!

https://forms.gle/SusqYfoMfxryFdMe8

Children’s Summer Drawing Challenge

Join a community of people coming together online during the pandemic this summer with Schools for Children’s Summer Drawing Challenge, #SFCDrawingChallenge.

Sign up for free and get a new drawing prompt daily from July 1st – August 31st. Draw as often or as little as you like, and gain new skills. For more information click here bit.ly/SFCDrawingChallenge.