What are all the November ballot questions about?  Come learn with LWVN!

It’s almost time to decide how you’ll vote on the upcoming state and local ballot questions in November. This year there are three state ballot questions, and two local ballot questions. If you still don’t know what the ballot questions are about, or don’t have the facts you need to vote, this will help.

Join members of the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) to hear from presenters on both sides of the issues for state ballot Question 1 regarding patient-to-nurse limits and the Newton ballot questions regarding the dispensation of marijuana.  Attendees will have an opportunity to ask presenters from each side questions at the end of each presentation. RSVPs to in**@*******on.org are appreciated!

October 18th,  8:00 – 9:30 am at the Durant-Kenrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton

Can’t make it on the 18th?  The program on state ballot Question 1 will be taped soon and shown in late October.  For a discussion of state ballot Questions 2 and 3, watch the latest episode of ‘The League Presents’ on NewTV with guest Holly Gunner and LWVN Vice-President Lisa Mirabile.  The link to the program is:  https://newtv.org/recent-videos-community/120-the-league-presents/5302-ballot-questions-2-and-3.

Eighteen Newton luminaries will regale audiences at Newton Schools Foundation’s (NSF) 8th annual Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community. Since 2011, Newton Inspires has gathered Newton residents for this showcase of Newton’s talent, creativity, and intellect.

This year’s program features headliners Kimberly Budd, associate justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; David S. Friedman, senior vice president, legal & government affairs, Boston Red Sox; Sarah Holt, producer and director, PBS/NOVA; Richard Primack, professor of biology, Boston University; Peter Slavin, M.D., president, Massachusetts General Hospital; actress and writer Marianne Leone; and entrepreneur Sam Shames, along with many other talented Newton personalities.

The event is FREE to Newton residents and $15.00 for non-residents. Space is limited so register early. To register, go to www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org.

For the third consecutive year, Newton Schools Foundation welcomes The Village Bank as lead sponsor.  Newton Inspires is also supported by premium and major sponsors Mark Development Chestnut Hill Realty and The Street Chestnut Hill and Historic Homes. Individuals and businesses wishing to support public education in Newton through a Newton Inspires sponsorship can go to http://newtonschoolsfoundation.org/newton-inspires-sponsor.

Limited samplings of various refreshments will be available at the beginning of the evening courtesy of the following food sponsors: Anna’s Taqueria, Baker’s Best Catering, Better Life Food, Blue Ribbon BBQ, L’Aroma Café & Bakery, Legal Sea Foods, Panera Bread, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Rancatore’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, and Sweet Tomatoes.

November 13th, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, Newton South High School. Doors open at 6:00 pm to share community and conversation.

Newton Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to advance excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by funding promising initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity.

The Naming Committee for the School on Nevada Street  seeks comment from parents, school staff and members of the community regarding its preliminary recommendation on an appropriate name. Please see these options for providing your input and listening to discussions:

1. Public Hearing October 29th,  7:00 pm in Room 210,  100 Walnut Street
2. School Committee Meeting discussion November 14th, 7:00 pm in Room 210, 100 Walnut Street
3. School Committee Meeting discussion & VOTE November 28th, 7:00 pm in Room 210, 100 Walnut Street

The Naming Committee welcomes written comments sent to  Na***************@***il.com

Preliminary Recommendation
That the school building on Nevada Street be named the Horace Mann School at the time appropriate for the implementation of the school department’s recommended H.4 Scenario in September 2019.

The reasoning:
Most importantly, the proposed new district is overwhelmingly made up of households from the current Horace Mann district (86%) and the staff will basically be the same.  They identify as the Horace Mann School.
Secondly, Horace Mann is considered by many as the father of public education.  He championed free, universal, nonsectarian education dependent on trained professional teachers.  It is our good fortune he lived in Newton for some years.  Our City’s history and the high value we place on public education should place Mann’s name in the top tier on any list of names appropriate for a Newton education building.

It is the Committee’s intent to include in its final report to the School Committee suggestions on how the city might continue to honor the contributions of Frank Carr to the Newton Public Schools.

Naming Committee:  Jessica Eldridge-Young, Ted Hess-Mahan (Co-Chair), Daniel Kunitz, Anne Larner (Co-Chair), Robert Smith, Marcia Tabenken, Norah Wylie

Understanding Our Differences (UOD), the leader in disability awareness education, is sponsoring an exciting raffle to raise needed funds. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the popular and critically acclaimed show Hamilton: An American Musical at the Boston Opera House in November.

See the UOD website for complete details about this exciting opportunity: www.understandingourdifferences.org/hamilton.

UOD is embarking on a project to raise funds to support digitizing the curriculum, so the critical goal of fostering inclusion for people of all abilities can be shared around the state, the country, and even the world!

STORYTIME – GARDENING AND GARDENERS
Learn about the many plants in Newton, and how the Kenrick family brought new ones to America. You’ll hear a reading of  The Night Gardener by Terry and Eric Fan and preschoolers and their caregivers will create their own tissue paper topiary. For a complete schedule of ongoing Storytime events, visit www.newtonma.gov/story
October 3rd, 10:00 am
Durant Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
Admission: Free
Information: 617-641-9142

FREE WEEKEND AT HISTORIC NEWTON
Everyone is invited to enjoy free admission to the museums.
October 6th and October 7th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450

STORYTIME – GROWING TREES
Where do trees come from, and how do they grow? Read Because of an Acorn by Lola and Adam Schaefer, and preschoolers and their caregivers will get the chance to make their own autumn-themed whirligigs. For a complete schedule of ongoing Storytime events, go to www.newtonma.gov/story.
October 20th, 9:30 am
Jackson Homestead and Museum
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450

STORYTIME – HALLOWEEN
Come celebrate Halloween with fun-filled activities! We will read The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders, and preschoolers and their caregivers will create their own pumpkin and jack-o-lantern artwork with apple stamps. For a complete schedule of ongoing Storytime events, go to www.newtonma.gov/story.
October 31, 10:00 am
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds
Admission: Free
Information: 617-641-9142

TRICK OR TREAT AT THE JACKSON HOMESTEAD
As you make the rounds with children on Halloween night, please stop by the Jackson Homestead and Museum for treats and free museum admission tickets that may be used throughout the fall. Enjoy trick-or-treatingat the historic home that is part of the neighborhood!
October 31, 4:30-6:30 pm
Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450