Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

College Essay Workshop

Write your college essay in a fun, interactive summer workshop! Led by master educator and writing coach Vered Strapp, this four-day workshop will walk you through the process of brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising a college essay that puts your best self forward. Using Vered’s detailed feedback and individualized approach, you will leave the workshop feeling confident in your completed Common App essay.

Vered Strapp has served on the faculty at Gann Academy for fourteen years teaching English to grades 9-12. She is a graduate of Newton North High School. She holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard University and an M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Teaching writing is Vered’s passion. She enjoys making a personal connection with students and families who work with her.

The workshop will take place online on July 14th, 16th, 21st, and 23rd from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon. For more information, please email vmstrapp@gmail.com.

Ride for Food

Want to help your Newton neighbors put food on their table?

Join the Newton Food Pantry Ride for Food team! Bike, swim, walk, run or hike for hunger. This event is virtual between May 9th and October 4th. Teens ages 14-18 years old may join with an adult.

Please contact team captain Ron Joseph at treasurer@newtonfoodpantry.org if you are interested in joining the team. For more information please visit https://ride.threesquaresne.org/team/290205

Upcoming Newton Free Library Teen Events

Explore a Gap Year. Are you wondering about the benefits of a Gap Year, and realistic options amidst COVID? Join Katherine Stievater, Founder of Gap Year Solutions for a presentation and Q&A about the many available domestic programs, local activities, and new options offering social connection and mentoring to students. For teens and their adults.  June 23rd, 7:00 pm

Online ACT Practice Exam. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. Please complete registration on Revolution Prep’s website.  June 27th, 9:00 am

Check, Please Author Ngozi Ukazu. Celebrated author/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling webcomic/graphic novel series Check, Please! Join on Zoom as Ngozi gives teens a look into her drawing and writing process. A question and answer session will follow! Grades 7 and up. This event is co-sponsored by OUTMetrowest. June 30th, 4:00 pm

Online SAT Practice Exam. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. Please complete registration on Revolution Prep’s website. July 11th, 9:00 am

Pop Up Art Presents: Coffee with Chewbacca  Draw Chewbacca step-by-step, with the instructor, then paint your portrait of everyone’s favorite galactic furry with brewed coffee or paint. Bonus: Pixel Puzzle PDF of “Wash Your Hans” to color at home! Grades 6-12.  July 14th, 7:00 pm

Free half-day Zoom camp for elementary students

The LigerBots, Newton’s award-winning FIRST high school robotics team, is starting a virtual summer camp for elementary students! Classes will include dance, computer programming, art, creative writing, and so much more!

The camp will be running on Zoom from 9:00-12:30 every weekday for two-week sessions starting on July 6th. The camp is completely free and materials will be provided. If interested, please visit https://tinyurl.com/AMPSCParent. Email cso@ligerbots.com with any questions!

NewtonHACKS to promote gender equality in the tech industry

NewtonHACKS is hosting an online hackathon on August 29th for middle and high school students who are beginner programmers. Hackathons are all-day programming events where participants get to collaborate, code, and create awesome projects!

This one is directed towards beginners!! Check out the website to register http://newtonhacks.com/ .

They also plan to host a series of webinars before the event to help brand new coders gain some experience! If you are interested, register asap because spots are limited!  If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email newtonhacks@gmail.com.

Soccer lessons and/or child care available

Olivia Dubin, a rising senior, 3-year starting varsity goalkeeper for Newton South Soccer and Division 1 Commit to Holy Cross. She specializes in goalkeeper training and is also fully qualified to coach young players in ball skills, tactics, and conditioning. She also has extensive experience in child care from ages 2 to 14. $25.00 per 60-minute session. Contact 617-584-8422 or oliviabdubin@gmail.com.

Summer tutoring/homework help

Maya Bock, Bigelow graduate and current high school student, is offering tutoring and homework help via Zoom this summer (and possibly in person if it becomes safe later in the summer).

During the school year, she worked at a library in Boston as part of the homework help program for kids grades K-8 and helped kids with mostly math, Spanish, science, and writing. She also worked with students on improving study habits and organizational skills and focusing.

Maya charges $15.00/ hour. If you would like tutoring homework help over the summer or during the school year, please email Lssbmediator@gmail.com.

Spanish Tutoring Available

Libby Sands is an experienced Spanish teacher and Newton mom with a love of the
Spanish language. She provides tailored, expert tutoring in grammar, literature, writing,
and conversation at all levels. Libby is well acquainted with the NPS Spanish
curriculum.

Especially given these challenging times, if your student would like to better
prepare for Spanish class in the fall, Libby would be happy to help. She offers
convenient remote learning and flexible scheduling. References available. Contact Libby
at libby@libbysands.com or 617- 256-4780.