Everyone is invited to the next FORJ City-wide Meeting to explore the relationship between housing, equity, and race. There will be a discussion, short video, and an interactive small group activity that could work for kids 2nd grade and above. Younger kids are welcome to be in the room to color or sit with their parents but they might not follow all the content. Hope to see you there! Feel free to bring interested friends.
RSVP HERE for March 12th
March 12th, 7:30 pm
Angier Elementary
The Newton Food Pantry is proud to be participating in Project Bread’s 51st Walk for Hunger & 5K Run on May 5th. The pantry team’s fundraising efforts will directly support the Newton Food Pantry. Any adults and teens (ages 13+) are welcome to join the team.
The money raised by Walk participants like the Newton Food Pantry will provide grants to hundreds of community-based programs that rely on support—food pantries, hot meal programs, summer meals for kids, farm and garden initiatives, health center programs and more. Last year, the Walk supported 315 local programs in nearly 100 Massachusetts communities.
Please visit NFP’s Walk for Hunger Team page to join the team, make a donation, and for more information about how the Newton Food Pantry supports our community.
The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, is hosting 4 Open House events for interested families. This is a terrific opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year. Please join to see the wonderful space that is the home base of this terrific program.
For more information please contact Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org.
March 6th, March 18th, April 4th, and/or April 14th, 5:30-6:30 pm
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands
Summit Educational Group is a tutoring company in Newton who helps provide 1-1 tutoring and classroom instruction to hundreds of students in the Boston area and the surrounding suburbs.
Every weekend they offer free practice tests at their office for the SATs, ACTs, SSATs, and ISEEs. Check out the website for the dates and times https://mytutor.com/one-on-one/free-practice-tests/#1445903007466-5b9be84a-24ff
West Suburban YMCA’s Super Bowl Raffle! The West Suburban YMCA raffled off a Super Bowl trip package, and Newton resident Assunta (Sue) Calcagni was selected as the winner! Sue received 2 tickets to Super Bowl LIII along with airfare, lodging and ground transportation provided by New England Sports Tours. The raffle netted over $20,000 for the Y’s annual fund, which provides financial assistance for programs, services and scholarships at the Y.
Try the Y: Fridays in February are free! Present a valid ID at the welcome desk and use the facilities for the day.
Early Spring Program Registration: Registration is open for early spring session programs. Early spring session runs February 25th – April 14th. Sign up for swim lessons, youth basketball, floor hockey, fitness classes, kids yoga, tai chi, tumbling, music lessons and more.
Pickle Ball – Tuesdays & Thursdays: The West Suburban YMCA hosts drop-in pickle ball on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the gymnasium. Pickle ball is free for West Suburban YMCA members and $5.00 drop-in fee for non-members.
Guided Meditation: Take a moment out of your day for this short, guided meditation that will leave you feeling relaxed, grounded and rejuvenated. Free for West Suburban YMCA members. Led by Jenni Plym in Studio A. February 9th, 9:00 – 9:30 am
Lifeguard Training and Certification Course:Become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard this February. Learn the practical skills necessary to recognize a critical situation and provide lifesaving care to individuals in the water. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications are included in the course.
Weekend course: February 9th, 16th, 17th and 23rd, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm each day.
School vacation week course: February 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. Students must be present for ALL days of their chosen course. Visit wsymca.org to register or call 617-244-6050.
Family Fun Night: Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, games and more! FREE and open to all. Family Fun Nights are generously sponsored by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation and occur on the second Tuesday of every month. February 12th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
February Vacation Programs: Do your kids need something to do while they are off from school for February vacation? The West Suburban YMCA is offering full day and half day program options February 19th – February 22nd. Call 617-244-6050 for more information or visit www.wsymca.org.
Spring YBA (Youth Basketball Association) League: Registration is open for the Y’s spring YBA league which runs March 2nd – April 14th. YBA is a fun league for boys and girls ages 4-12 to learn and play basketball. The league is separated into four age groups: Mini (ages 4-5), Biddy (ages 6-7), Rookie (ages 8-9) and Collegiate (ages 10-12). All leagues are co-ed, and volunteer coaches are encouraged. For more information and to register visit www.wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050.
Summer Camp Registration is Open! The West Suburban YMCA offers three summer camps: Camp Pikati at the Y, Camp Chickami in Wayland, MA and Camp Frank A. Day in East Brookfield, MA. Each camp offers children a unique and engaging summer experience. Attend one of the Y’s upcoming camp info sessions to learn more about summer camp.
Upcoming Camp Info Sessions at the Y:
February 6th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
February 11th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
February 20th, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
March 2nd, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions. Great benefits, FREE membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.
Our Woods in a Warming World: The Future Outlook
Nearly 80% of New England is covered by forests, and they play an important role in our daily lives. From clean drinking water and clean air, to wildlife habitat, recreation, and economic benefits, forests are critical to our well-being and quality of life. But, with the changing climate, will tomorrow’s forests look the same as they do today? Will maple syrup become a thing of the past? Will spruce and fir disappear from our mountains? Jennifer Hushaw Shakun, Manomet’s Applied Forest Scientist, will answer these questions and more at a special evening presentation. Join us to learn how our climate is changing, what it means for our forests, and how healthy forests are one of our best tools for combating the challenge of climate change.
As an urban forest, the Cemetery’s mature canopy plays an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change. The Cemetery has an active tree planting program to sustain its canopy coverage that assesses the survivability of newly planted trees in a changing climate and long term outcomes of planting decisions made now.
Co-hosted with Manomet
Register here
March 12th, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Newton Cemetery Chapel
Spring Tree Tour
Arbor Day is April 26th this year. Come celebrate at Newton Cemetery with a tree tour showcasing the specimens that enhance the grounds. Cemetery arborist Robert Reardon will highlight some interesting and unique characteristics of the numerous varieties. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes and take place rain or shine. Comfortable walking shoes, water and plenty of questions are recommended. Meet outside the main office just inside the front gate at 791 Walnut Street. Parking is available along the cemetery roads or the chapel parking lot. For more information, call 617-332-0047.
The tour is free and open to all. Suggested Donation: $10.00 (donations to the Friends of Newton Cemetery are welcome and support arboretum education and care).
April 27th, 1:00 pm
Newton Cemetery
Landscape Pests and Problems Walkabout – Diseases and Weeds
Get some hands-on experience scouting and identifying landscape diseases and weed problems. Join Randy Prostak, UMASS Extension Weed Specialist and Nick Brazee, UMASS Extension Plant Pathologist, for a walk through the landscape as they discuss and demonstrate how to put IPM practices to work efficiently and examine some of the most common pest and cultural problems of woody ornamentals. Dress for walking; workshop held rain or shine. Bring a clipboard, pencil and hand lens if possible.
Pesticide & Professional Credits: 2 pesticide contact hours for categories 36 and Applicators License available. Association credits: 1/2 MCLP and 1 MCH credits. ISA credits requested. (This event is directed at industry professionals.)
Registration: Preregistration required as space is limited; the cost is $50.00 (group discount available). Download printable registration form here.
May 10th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Newton Cemetery
Spring Bird Walk
Test your skills and pick up some new ones this spring with guides from Manomet’s Landbird Conservation program as they lead this year’s Newton Cemetery Bird Walk once again. Birders of all experience levels are welcome on this two hour walk around the cemetery’s arboretum in search of migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes, and more! Scheduled for the peak of spring migration, there will be ample opportunity to brush up on your birding-by-ear techniques, as well as catch a glimpse of breeding males in their most dapper plumage. Changes in climate will be discussed and how Manomet’s long-term research projects bring its effects on migration to light. Participation is limited, and last years’ program reached capacity so be sure to register early!
Come equipped with comfortable shoes, binoculars (we will provide a few pairs to share), and water. The walk will meet just inside the main gate in front of the office. Parking is available along the cemetery road or chapel parking lot.
$15.00 Non-Members, $10.00 Members.
For additional information, please contact Chris Boudreaux at 508-224-6521, ext. 226 or cboudreaux@manomet.org or visit Manomet.org
Co-hosted with Manomet
May 15th, 7:00 am
Newton Cemetery
Spring Plant Sale
Celebrate National Public Gardens week – May 13-19th this year – at the Friends of Newton Cemetery Spring Plant Sale to shop for annuals, perennials and houseplants that have been grown in the greenhouse on the grounds. There will also be pollinator plant seeds available to purchase. Proceeds from the sale support the Pollinator Garden.
May 18th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Newton Cemetery, Main Fountain Area
The ProjectCSGIRLS Competition for Middle School Girls challenges participants in 6th-8th grade to build something using computer science and technology that can help solve an imminent social problem under one of four themes – global health, a safer world, bridging inequalities, and intelligent technology. Judges will select semifinalists, finalists, and national winners. All finalists will be invited to DC for the national gala, the ultimate celebration of girls in computing, in June of 2019 during which they will participate in workshops, listen to guest speakers, tour tech companies, participate in a formal awards ceremony, and showcase their projects to the public.
Registration for the 2019 ProjectCSGIRLS competition closes March 1st. The deadline to submit projects is April 15th. Mentors will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis so if students would like to request a mentor, they should register early!
Informational flyer is available here: ProjectCSGIRLS
Join in an interactive evening with Madeline McNeely, founder of Conditioning Leaders. She is a facilitator, trainer, coach and consultant who will share practices gleaned from her most popular trainings on good group leadership practices in order to help you to ensure your FORJ team is operating at its best. This is a special opportunity for your FORJ team to reflect on your experiences and learn helpful tools for sustainability and success!
Please register here for the February 12th Meeting: https://goo.gl/forms/T8j6TXkyN0OCOOkz1
February 12th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm (with optional school group time at 6:30 pm or 9:00pm)
Angier Elementary School
Newton’s next CPA funding deadline is sooner than you think!
If your project is aiming for the fall 2019 funding round, contact Alice Ingerson at aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144 by March 29th to request an in-person orientation meeting. This meeting is required as the first step in the funding process.
The agenda and pre-meeting packet for the next CPC meeting on February 12th are now online from www.newtonma.gov/cpa. All items on this agenda are committee business; no proposal or project decisions are scheduled.
Teach children to manage their time, space and materials ….and keep their emotions in check!
This presentation, sponsored by Newton SEPAC and Newton Public Schools, will cover powerful strategies to help your child develop independent executive function; teach students to internally sense the sweep of time, self-monitor in order to sustain concentration, manage pace, and complete tasks in allocated time frames; improve students’ motivation and task initiation, help them to plan homework and long-term projects/papers, and coach students to think in an organized way; and encourage self-initiative to manage homework and personal belongings.
The presenter is Ms. Kristen Jacobsen, MS CCC-SLP, a trained speech-language pathologist who is Co-Director at the Cognitive Connections Executive Function Practice.
February 13th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Newton North High School Auditorium, 457 Walnut Street