Category Archives: Community Notes

Newton Family Singers Celebrate the Music of Bob Marley

Lively Up Yourself, pack the minivan, and join the Newton Family Singers as they perform irresistible reggae tunes from Bob Marley. Adults $10.00/children $8.00, tickets can be purchased online: Tickets. Family-friendly, live music! See a flyer here: NFS. For questions email ad***@*****************rs.org

In addition to enjoying a great concert, all net proceeds will be used to rebuild the Island Health & Wellness Center, a non-profit affordable medical facility that was destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, so that its medical staff can continue to serve their patients on the Caribbean Islands.

Sunday, December 10th, at 4:00 pm
The Ellsworth Theatre of Pine Manor College, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill (free parking available on campus – please come early to park).

The Newton Family Singers is an intergenerational family chorus that brings together families and friends of all ages to sing American folk music.

FREE Diversity Children’s Books for Parents, Teachers, Librarians (anyone!)

Mia Wenjen, a parent at FA Day and NNHS who co-founded Multicultural Children’s Book Day (coming up January 27th) to celebrate diversity in KidLit, is offering FREE diversity children’s books.

1) Simply post a short review on Facebook or Instagram or YouTube or a blog and receive one FREE diversity children’s book for ages 1 through 14. You will receive a book based on the age range you request. Sign up here:
https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/10/sign-up-for-free-diversity-childrens-book/

2) Host a book event in your home, library or classroom and receive 3 FREE diversity books and a swag pack:
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/category/offline-classroomlibrary-event-project/

Creating Successful Students

High school parents and students are invited to “Creating Successful Students”, presented by Dan Levine of Engaging Minds, to learn strategies for reducing academic stress, conquering procrastination, and strengthening executive functioning skills at home. Specific strategies include:

  • Managing nightly homework
  • Short-term and long-term assignment planning and time management
  • How to get “unstuck” when having trouble initiating tasks
  • How to organize papers, assignments, belongings, and more.

This workshop is FREE and open to the public. Click here for flyer: Successful Students. Engaging Minds is an after school learning center with locations in Newton and Natick. The strategies presented will not require purchasing services from Engaging Minds. Please RSVP to  qe*****@******ma.gov.

December 7th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Druker Auditorium, Newton Free Library.

Newton Girls Softball Spring 2018 registration now open

Registration is now open for Newton Girls Softball, a recreational league for Newton girls (residents or girls who attend Newton Schools) in grades K-7. Register soon for guaranteed placement and pair-me-with requests. For more information and to register, please visit www.newtongirlssoftball.org.

The league welcomes players of all skill levels and will provide your daughter with an experience that fosters positive self-esteem, team spirit, and individual growth through personal achievement and as a team member.

The wildly successful Kindergarten T-Ball program continues this year. Register your daughter now, you’ll be glad you did.

2018 Registration Dates:
January 31st: Deadline to register without paying a late fee.
February 28th: Deadline to register with guaranteed placement and pair-me-with rights. A $15 late fee will be applied.

Newton SouthEast Little League Spring 2018 Registration Now Open

Registration for all divisions (T-ball through Majors) is now open for students who reside within or attend private or public schools within the public school district boundaries of Memorial-Spaulding, Mason-Rice, Bowen, Angier, Countryside and Zervas. Children who attend one of these schools but live out of district may participate in NSELL’s program under Little League’s 2018 rules without a waiver.

T ball: ages 5-6 (pre-K and K)
Farm: ages 7 and 8 (one division for age 7/1st grade and one division for age 8/2nd grade)
AA: age 9 (3rd grade)
AAA: ages 10-11 (4-5th grade)
Majors: ages 10-12 (4th-6th grade) are eligible to tryout.

New this year, NSELL is offering a $30 early bird discount for T-ball for players registered before February 1, 2018.

www.newtonsoutheastll.org

Letter from the Hydro-Dragons

We are a group of 6th graders at Brown Middle School that are part of The First Lego League (FLL). FLL is an organization that allows kids ages of 9 to 16 to have the opportunity to help work as a team, and start to research real-world problems. The theme this year is Hydro Dynamics (water) and we are FLL Team #34813 Hydro-Dragons.

We have to find a problem related to water. Originally, we thought about the Flint water crisis, but since Flint is too far away to do much, we decided to focus on lead in Newton water. With this idea, we have developed a goal to raise awareness on lead and its dangers. We have learned that some Newton schools and public buildings have had high-levels of lead in drinking water.

To help raise awareness on lead in drinking water we are working on a website which will be available soon. Meanwhile to learn more about FLL visit   https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll
For information on the 2017-2018 season challenge, please watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMuE4PKosys&feature=youtu.be

Free rain gauge

On behalf of the Newton FFL Lego Robotics Team, the Robotics Team of 4-8th graders in Newton,  thank you so much for taking the time to complete the lawn water survey!

They received almost 100 responses and are now in the process of making rain gauges to help Newton residents determine how much they should water their lawn every week. If you are interested in a FREE rain gauge please email at ne*************@***il.com.

Public Speaking and Debate Workshop

Lumos is running a 2-day Debate Workshop during December, February, and April vacation breaks. Your child will study public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership with experienced instructors.

The class is lots of fun and very active – a good class even for shy or quiet kids. The class is open to students Grades 6-9. For more information call 617-901-4564. Register at: camp.lumosdebate.com/workshop/

Highlands After-School Program

The short winter days are upon us and if you’re looking for after-school activities for your child … the Highlands After-School Program has openings! The program is just for middle school kids attending Brown, Day and Oak Hill.

After School meets in Newton Highlands and has daily use of the Hyde Gym and a wide range of activities; including homework time, games and field trips. Transportation is provided daily. It’s not too late to sign up, with both regular monthly enrollment and day passes are available. For more information or to arrange a visit please, contact Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or visit highlandsafterschool.org.

Update on Crescent Street Affordable Housing and Playground Project

The discussion of the anticipated funding request for the Crescent Street project (affordable housing and playground) in Auburndale/West Newton has been rescheduled for a special Community Preservation Committee meeting.

For additional information, go to www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/cpa or contact Alice Ingerson, Program Manager, at ai*******@******ma.gov or 617-796-1144.

November 28th, 7:00 pm, City Hall Room 204