Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Helping Families to Preempt Racial Bias

Story Starters invites kindergarten families in Newton area elementary schools to their five month program that supports families in being color brave.

Story Starters gives families of all races age-appropriate tools and skills to preempt racial bias and build community change. Story Starters’ at-home curriculum helps 3- to 6-year-olds and their families build empathy, support connection, and get into the habit of talking about race. For more details about the program, visit www.story-starters.org.

Registration is OPEN now until January 2nd and there will be an Open House at the Auburndale Library for any interested families who want to learn more.

See the flyer for information Story Starters

Open House December 10th,  5:00 – 6:30 pm (pizza included!)
Program kickoff event January 12th, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Tickets on Sale Now! Newton Music Ambassadors Gala Benefit Concert

Be a patron of the arts! Kick off the holiday season with a very special night of jazz that will
directly benefit our high school music students! Join the music communities of Newton North and Newton South High Schools at a Gala Benefit Concert in support of the Newton Music Ambassadors Scholarship Fund (NMA).

Featuring ensembles from both schools’ award-winning jazz programs, the evening promises exceptional music in a convivial setting with light snacks and a cash bar, and is a great opportunity to celebrate and support Newton’s talented young musicians.  All proceeds will benefit the Newton Music Ambassadors, a collaborative fund set up by Newton South’s Lisa Linde and North’s Richard Labedz to empower students in pursuit of
music enrichment beyond the classroom. Funds raised at this event will provide Newton high school music students with opportunities to travel and participate in festivals and competitions, as well as funding assistance for private music lessons, and summer music camps etc.  The NMA seeks to position our students to serve as ambassadors who will positively impact the world around them through music.

Ticket prices are $25.00/adult, $10.00/student and can be purchased online in advance
at newtonmusicambassadors.seatyourself.biz or at the door (cash/check only).  Donations are also welcome.  Please email any questions to newtonmusicambassadors@gmail.com.

November 22nd,  7:00 – 10:00 pm
American Legion Nonantum Post 440, 295 California Street

Newton Family Singers 10th Anniversary Show: Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac

It’s NFS’s birthday!

Since 2009, the Newton Family Singers has given family-friendly, inter-generational choral concerts to the Newton community. For their 10th Anniversary show, they’re singing the music of Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac. Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac burst into musical consciousness in the 1970s with signature songs like “American Girl” and “Don’t Stop,” and continued generating hits in the decades following. Tie on a flowing scarf and come sing along with Newton Family Singers and celebrate the songs of Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie and more. For ages “Learnin’ to Fly” to “Free Fallin’”.

BONUS. Help Newton Family Singers give back to the community that supports us all. Representatives from 10 local charities* will be at the concert to raise awareness of how they serve our community, from feeding the hungry to greening our community, from providing companionship to educating our children. Plus, all net proceeds for this concert will be shared by these groups.

Join in! You are an integral part of this musical family! Help celebrate this milestone and the incredible community we’ve created together. Clap & sing along to family-friendly, live music and enjoy the festivities.

Tickets are available at www.newtonfamilysingers.org. $12.00/Adults and $10.00/Child. Remember that all net proceeds will support the ten local organizations that will be honored at the concert. Please consider donating a few extra dollars at the time of your online purchase.

November 24th, 4:00 pm
JCC Greater Boston, 333 Nahanton Street

* Participating Charities:

  • Asperger / Autism Network (AANE)
  • Best Buddies – Team Believe
  • Centre Street Food Pantry
  • Green Newton
  • Newton at Home
  • Newton Community Farm
  • Newton Food Pantry
  • Newton Schools Foundation
  • Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for Newton (SEL4Newton)
  • Waban Library Center

You are invited to join the Book Group discussion

Please join the League of Women Voters for a book group discussion led by Newton resident and author Barbara F. Berenson. In her book (166 pages), Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement, Barbara examines the story of woman suffrage with a focus on women in Massachusetts who shaped both the national and state movements.

There is no need to read the entire book to participate! Several copies of Barbara’s book are available through the Minuteman Library Network. The book can be purchased at Amazon, and there is at least one copy available for purchase at Newtonville Books. Copies of the book will also be made available by LWVN – just email info@lwvnewton.org.

Following the book group discussion, all are welcome to attend the Waban Area’s Council annual tree lighting ceremony in Waban Square, right outside the Waban Library Center.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

December 1st, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Waban Library Center, 1608 Beacon Street

Writing Tutors Available

Does your student struggle with school writing assignments? Jane Hirschhorn and her team at JBH Tutoring can help. Jane and her tutors have more than 50 years of combined experience working with students from middle school through graduate school. They tailor their approach to make the best use of each student’s strengths to help them move through the writing process with calm and confidence and can also help with college essays.

For more information, please contact Jane at jane@jbhtutoring.com or 617-957-7208. You can learn more about Jane and her wonderful team at jbhtutoring.com.

Missed your school’s flu clinic?

A family flu clinic will be held where anyone age 6 months and up may receive a flu shot. Teens may come on their own if a parental consent form is completed in advance. Forms available at www.newtonma.gov/flu High dose vaccine available to adults 65 and up. For questions please call 617-796-1420.

November 12th, 5:00 –  to 7:00 pm
Newton City Hall outside the Health Dept. in Room 107

Community Discussion with Sheriff Koutoujian

The League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) and co-sponsors League of Women Voters of Arlington, Norward, Sudbury, Wayland, and Weston will host a community discussion led by Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. Sheriff Koutoujian will talk about the work of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, partnerships with local law enforcement and efforts to address the needs of justice-involved individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. He’ll also discuss innovative programs for incarcerated military veterans and young adult offenders.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

November 12th,  7:00 pm
Angier Elementary School, 1697 Beacon Street, Waban Continue reading →

Newton SEPAC meeting November 13th

Please join the Newton SEPAC for a meeting with Beth Fitzmaurice, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.

Beth Fitzmaurice is responsible for special education across Newton Public Schools. Beth joined NPS in August 2019 and has spent her first couple of months on the job getting to know the schools, staff, and programs. We will have the opportunity to hear from Beth on her impressions of special education in Newton, her thoughts on current special education issues, and her priorities for this academic year and beyond. There will also be time for parents to ask questions.

Contact info@newtonpac.org with any questions.

November 13th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ed Center Room 210, 100 Walnut Street

Take action against climate change

Take personal action against the Climate Crisis at Green Newton’s Open Meeting. Are you interested in doing something about the climate crisis but not sure what? Green Newton welcomes you to an open meeting to chat with like-minded people and take part in developing Green Newton’s new Green Action Teams, including –Home Efficiency & Heat Pumps; Transportation & Electric Vehicles; Food as Climate Action; Reduce, Reuse & Recycle; and Advocacy & Education. Get involved, and help combat climate change!
Refreshments will be served. RSVP to marcia@greennewton.org or just show up.

November 19th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
War Memorial Auditorium, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Tickets on Sale Now for the Newton South Frosh Play! 

Come to this year’s South frosh production: Love Hurts and cheer on South Stage’s newest actors and techies as they showcase their talents and try out new skills during this evening of quirky and diverse 10-minute plays directed by Sundi Scott. Tickets cost $10.00 and can be purchased online at www.southstage.org

November 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 7:30 pm
The Lab Theatre