Category Archives: Other

Candidate Showcases and a Ballot Issue Debate

Newton’s four Neighborhood Area Councils, Newton Highlands, Newton Upper Falls,
Newtonville and Waban, will present two Candidate Showcases and a Ballot Issue Debate

  • The first event will be a moderated one-hour discussion between Ruthanne Fuller and Scott Lennon, candidates for Newton’s next mayor. This session will be moderated by Marjorie Arons-Barron, Waban resident, and distinguished print and broadcast journalist.
  • The second event will showcase School Committee candidates in contested citywide races. This session, also to be moderated by Marjorie Arons-Barron, is planned to last about an hour, and will showcase the eight candidates running competitively from four city wards. All Newton voters will be able to choose among and vote for these aspirants to the School Committee.
  • The third event, scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm, is a formal debate on the question voters will face on the ballot, whether to accept or reject a proposed revision of the Newton City Charter. The debate will include leaders of the proponents and opponents of the charter.  This session will be moderated by John Katsulas, Director of the Boston College Fulton Debate Society.

October 22nd, beginning at 1:00 pm
Angier School, 1697 Beacon Street, Waban

Talking to children about race, culture, and identity

This year, the Newton Public Schools will provide interested elementary school families with opportunities, information and resources on talking to children about issues of race, culture, and identity. This work will be personalized to individual school communities, based upon needs and interest.

To lead this work, the district is working with Amy Behrens, a parent coach, diversity educator, and NPS parent. She will support parent volunteers from all schools to help them:

  • Identify needs specific to their schools
  • Create opportunities, through events and activities, for face-to-face conversations and dialogue
  • Provide families with valuable information, tools and resources

If you would like to learn more, please email Amy at am*@********ns.com. The first meeting for interested volunteers will be held on October 10th at Angier Elementary, 1697 Beacon Street from 7:30 – 9:00 pm.

You may RSVP to the meeting via this link: https://goo.gl/forms/UuRYZbuSgrAamM322.

Newton’s One-to-One Program

Newton’s One-to-One Program, our very own “Big Brother/Sister Program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 30 years.

If you think your elementary aged child would benefit from a mentor in their life and you can you commit 2.5 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May, please click here: One-to-One or to get more information, please contact Rebecca Young, Program Coordinator, at re***********@***********ma.us or 617-315-8733.

“Meet the Author” at UOD’s Family Book Event

An exciting “Meet the Author” Family Book Event is happening soon. Parents, children, and teachers: join Understanding Our Differences to welcome author Melissa Shang – disability activist and Newton South High School student! Born with a form of muscular dystrophy, Melissa got her start in activism when she launched a petition for a disabled American Girl doll. The petition went viral nationwide and raised massive attention to disability representation in children’s toys.

Melissa will discuss and sign her book, Mia Lee Is Wheeling Through Middle School. The book is a New York Times-featured middle grade novel starring a sixth grade stop-motion filmmaker with a wheelchair and a lot of sass, trying to survive her new middle school.

Free for children and Newton Public Schools teachers and staff. Requested donation is $10.00 for adults. Registration (save your space) is required in advance at this link: http://understandingourdifferences.org/book-event/ For more information, please see the flier or email in**@*************************es.org.

November 2nd, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Book signing follows. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Newton South High School Auditorium, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre

Farlow Park restoration project update:

” At the end of August, there were unanticipated issues discovered by the Newton’s construction contractor for the Farlow Park restoration project, AJ Virgilio. It is not uncommon with any large capital project that the vendor runs into obstacles, not discovered when doing both the feasibility study and initial project planning. These unforeseen issues were inaccessible during the discovery and initial project analysis as the original pond basin sat under 18 inches of loam. We are fortunate that Continue reading →

Get a free NCE Kids class!

Newton Community Ed (NCE) is looking for onsite coordinators to represent NCE at each school and help ensure that the classes run smoothly.

This position involves arriving at school by dismissal time, supporting NCE teachers and students as needed, and staying at school until the last NCE student is dismissed. The onsite coordinators liaise with NCE office staff regarding class logistics and special needs. The hours are typically 3:00 – 4:30 pm on all days but Tuesdays, and 12:30 – 2:00 pm on Tuesdays.

In exchange for your services, you or your child can take a free class at NCE (with some restrictions). If you’d prefer, you can earn $25.00/day. Please contact Brenda at br**********@********12.us if you or anyone you know is interested in these positions.
Open to hiring a single person or multiple people per school.

Newton Community Farm’s Annual Fall Festival

Come enjoy your local community farm at 303 Nahanton Street during an afternoon of fun family activities There will be live music by the High Strung Strummers, a sing-a-long (11:45 – 12:30) led by Julia of Music Together , pumpkin decorating, face painting, and spider web cutting.

Your family can play corn hole together, or take a great family photo. Come for lunch and enjoy a fresh-made sandwich from around the world, grilled corn, apples, and delicious treats provided by our community bakers. It’s a perfect way to welcome the fall season!

We depend on our community of volunteers to make these public events possible. Please consider volunteering for a shift, and/or baking  for the bake sale to make your contribution. Please visit the website  for more information or to sign up to volunteer.

September 24th,  11:00 am – 3:00 pm
303 Nahanton Street, Newton

Middle School Speech Team

Newton Public School students in Grades 6-8*, join the Speech Team to become a better public speaker, gain confidence for class discussions and dramatic presentations, win awards for yourself and your school, make friends with kids from all over the state, and have fun as part of an amazing team.

You’ll compete in tournaments through the Massachusetts Middle School Speech League (formerly the Forensics League) in the event you choose, from among prose or poetry reading, original oratory, impromptu, and more. All students Continue reading →