Category Archives: Other

LigerBots FLL Info Night

The Newton LigerBots are hosting a First Lego League (FLL) and Junior FLL Robotics programs Info Night. At FLL Info Night, parents can learn more about the FLL program and students can participate in fun activities.

FLL is the FIRST LEGO robotics competition for fourth through eighth graders. In addition to building and programming LEGO robots, each year’s themed FLL challenge includes a project for which team members brainstorm and present creative solutions to real life problems. This event is aimed at parents and students. Junior FLL is a project based program for grades K-3.

Current LigerBots students and coaches who have participated in FLL in the past will lead a presentation with general information on FLL as well as on how to start your own team. There will be demonstrations of EV3 robots, hands-on STEM activities for kids, demonstrations by the Newton Day Dragons FLL team, and people to answer any questions you may have. Email fl*@*******ts.com for more information, or visit  https://ligerbots.org/fll or FIRST at https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll.

June 17th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street
Film Lecture Hall (just off the front entrance at Tiger Drive)

Help Reduce Risk of Gun Violence

With the recent spate of school shootings, many people are asking, “What can I do?” In Massachusetts, we are lucky to have some of the strongest gun laws in the country, corresponding to relatively low rates of gun ownership and gun violence.

Yet, even here in Newton, guns have a significant presence.  On June 15th, Newton is providing a concrete, practical way to help reduce the risk of gun violence right here in our community. The Newton Police Department, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and the Newton Interfaith Clergy Association will team up to hold the first gun buyback in Newton in over 10 years.

Gun buybacks provide a safe way for residents to anonymously remove firearms from their homes, no questions asked, in exchange for grocery store gift cards. People participate for many reasons, including wanting to protect their children, ridding their homes of inherited or unwanted guns, or simply in response to tragedies in the news.

We believe that if we can help facilitate the removal of even one gun from our community that might be used in a teen suicide, or stolen from someone’s home to be used in a crime, then we believe it is our obligation to do so.

You can be a part of this effort. Donations in the form of a $25.00 gift cards from Wegmans, Whole Foods, or Stop & Shop (or checks from individuals or businesses to purchase gift cards) can be mailed to The Second Church, 60 Highland St., Newton, MA 02465. Thank you for making a difference!

Free Newton Summer Concert Series

The Mayor’s Office for Cultural Events and Newton Community Pride present FREE summer concerts! Bring a blanket/chair and enjoy live music under the night summer sky!

Sunday evening concerts on the Newton Centre Green (corner of Langley Rd and Centre St):

  • July 7th East Coast Soul
  • July 14th Classic Groove
  • July 21st The Love Dogs
  • July 28th Blue Suede Boppers

Wednesday evenings “Dancing in the Parks” concerts sponsored by The Village Bank:

  • July 10th McIntyre Orchestra in Coletti-Magni Park in Nonantum, 386 Watertown Street
  • July 17th Cross Street at the Auburndale Community Library, 375 Auburn Street
  • July 24th Big Chief at Capt. Ryan Park in West Newton, corner of Washington and Cherry Streets
  • July 31st Daybreakers at the Newtonville Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street

Tuesday evening “Children’s Entertainment” concerts:

  • July 23rd Bee Parks and the Hornets at the Newton Centre Green
  • August 6th Stacey Peasley Band as part of the Newton Police Department’s National Night Out at the Newton Police Headquarters and Capt. Ryan Park

All concerts 6:00 – 8:30 pm. Any questions, please call 617-796-1540.

Ride for the Centre Street Food Pantry! Cyclists needed!

Want a fun way to motivate yourself to workout AND do something meaningful for your neighbors? Join this year’s Ride for Food on October 6th!

Register today to meet your team and begin recruiting sponsors.  To learn more visit  https://ride.threesquaresne.org/CentreStFoodPantry2019 or contact CSFP Team Captain Katherine Ballas at k.******@****************ry.org. You can learn more about the Centre Street Food Pantry at https://www.centrestfoodpantry.org.

Run the Village Day 5K

Calling all runners, joggers and walkers! Join other Newton students and parents, friends and neighbors at the Newton Highlands Village Day 5K. It’s a low-key, family-friendly, all abilities run starting and ending at the Hyde Center in Newton Highlands. Many kids run their first 5K at this event which is such a great accomplishment. (It’s also fun to watch kids trying to out sprint their parents at the finish!)

Village Day in the Highlands follows at 11:00 am with all sorts of great activities — from bands to food to free inflatables and more. Registration is $30.oo per adult, $15.00 per child.

Register online here: villageday5k.racewire.com. Online registrations before May 26th are guaranteed a t-shirt in their size. Contact Maureen Oates at vi**********@***il.com if you have any questions! Happy running!

June 9th, 10:00 am

“The Best Night At North” to help bring Science equipment to underprivileged students

North student Julia Davis is organizing a fundraiser called “The Best Night At North” to help bring Science equipment to underprivileged students in Boston. The evening will include the artistic musical and dance talents of students who have volunteered their time to help raise funds to support the budding Robotics program at Excel Charter School in Boston.

Come enjoy a world-class violinist, classically trained dancers from Boston Ballet, and All That Jazz, as well as guitarists and acapella groups. It promises to be an amazing night of great talent and good works and 100% of all money collected will be donated directly to Excel in Boston. $20 suggested donation per ticket or $15 student ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.studentartistsforscience.org 

May 17th,  7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton North Little Theater

Final Open Houses for Highlands After School Program

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, has only a few slots open for the fall. They’re hosting 3 last open houses which are a terrific opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year and see the wonderful space that is the home base of this terrific program. For more information or to arrange an alternative time to visit please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or hi******************@***il.com or visit highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org

Open Houses: May 11th, May 29th, and June 10th, 5 – 6:00 pm
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands

Newton Community Preservation Committee meeting – May 14th

The Community Preservation Program website now includes the pre-meeting packet for the CPC meeting and a link to a new, 8-question community survey.

The May 14th agenda includes a final report on the Farlow Park Pond & Bridge project in Newton Corner, plus committee business. Please take the survey and share your ideas about how Newton should use its CPA funds! For assistance, contact Alice Ingerson at 617-796-1144 or ai*******@******ma.gov.