Category Archives: Community Notes

Free on-line tutoring/mentoring program

LigerBots have created a free online mentor/tutoring program this fall.

In order to offer more support to elementary students–as well as provide teaching opportunities to high schoolers– they’ve created an online program in which they pair high school mentors with elementary kids over an online platform (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facetime, etc.)

Mentors could tutor, provide homework help, or just play games and do crafts with younger students and they believe that this is an amazing opportunity for high school students to gain teaching experiences and help younger students through these trying times. Many elementary students have signed up and are in need of high school mentors. Please help us spread the word!

For interested high school students https://forms.gle/x7a39zEyCJF8fCJo6

NPS Student Services Team will host a family Q&A

Questions have been submitted in advance to help the Student Services Team to adequately prepare for good answers and make the session is as informative as possible. Having deep respect for privacy, student-specific questions will not be answered during this session. Before October 14th, NPS will send zoom access information via email, and publish on NPS webpage.

Student Service Leadership Team is:

Elizabeth Fitzmaurice, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Paula Black, Assistant Director of Student Services
Maura Tynes, Director of Elementary Special Education (PK-5)
Lisa Langone, Director of Secondary Special Education (6-12)

The goal is for this Q&A is to provide clarity on current SPED issues and common questions.

October 14th,  6:00 – 7:30 pm via zoom

Dine Local: Keep Making Memories Contest

The Newton-Needham Dining Collaborative has devised a fun and tasty way for you to support local restaurants.

Whether it’s take out, delivery, outdoor dining , socially distanced inside seating, or a gift card for a friend, the Dine Local: Keep Making Memories Contest encourages you to find more time in your week to support our local restaurants.

Each week from October 15th to November 15th they’ll be awarding restaurant gift cards or restaurant themed prizes to entrants who dine inside, outside, enjoy take out or delivery, or even just visit any participating restaurant in Newton and Needham. There will be a random drawing from all entries each week, as well as special prize drawings for those who submit 7 entries in 7 consecutive days (or 30 entries in all 30 days).

Help us support our restaurants by dining locally. Learn more at Keep Making Memories Contest. 

West Suburban YMCA reimagines annual fundraiser event

A Fall season without the YMCA Fundraiser would be  ‘Inconceivable’ so the West Suburban YMCA will host a reimagined version of their signature fall fundraiser event, inviting the community to enjoy a drive-in movie in the Y’s parking lot and field.

Traditionally, the Y hosts over 200 guests at their November gala, raising money for the Y’s Annual Fund which allows hundreds of families, individuals, and children to access programs and membership at the Y regardless of financial circumstances. With restrictions on gatherings in place due to COVID-19, the West Suburban YMCA is offering a whole new event this fall – Double Feature: A Mission & A Movie – highlighted by a drive-in showing of The Princess Bride.

The October 17th event will take place outdoors in the Y parking lot and field and will feature a brief presentation from Y President & CEO Jack Fucci and a few laughs from comedian Nick “Fitzy” Stevens. The short program will summarize the past seven months at the Y, celebrating the Y’s resilience and looking forward to the future. Following the presentation, attendees will be treated to popcorn from West Newton Cinema and a viewing of the 1987 family favorite, The Princess Bride.

Families can purchase a ticket for an outdoor seating area for up to 4 people or a drive-in parking spot. Admission price for both ticket types is $100.00, and all proceeds support Y programming that addresses the community’s most pressing needs.

This summer, the Y invested over $100,000 to modify their facilities, hire additional staff, and increase supplies, equipment, and PPE, all to ensure families could safely send their kids to camp. These investments proved meaningful, as the Y had up to 300 children per day attending their two summer day camps – Camp Pikati in Newton and Camp Chickami in Wayland – and completed the season with zero COVID-19 outbreaks.

Now, the West Suburban YMCA is helping families navigate a new and challenging school year by offering a full day Out of School Time program to support remote learning for K-8 students.

These programs, and the financial assistance provided to many families in need of these programs, do not come without a cost. The West Suburban YMCA hopes their new fall fundraiser will help raise the critical funds necessary to sustain their programming and ensure continued access and support for the community’s children and families.

Support the Y: Purchase Tickets to ‘A Mission & A Movie’

Attend the Presentation Virtually: Register for Free to Access the Livestream

For more information or to inquire about sponsoring the event, please contact Andrea Newman at andrean@wsymca.org.

October 17th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

About the West Suburban YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization that has been a fixture in the Newton community for over 140 years. The Y is committed to strengthening the foundations of the community by supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all.

Announcement for Director Level Position

The Director of Cemetery Services is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling position where one can make a lasting difference. It’s a senior level position at Newton Cemetery & Arboretum and a rare opportunity to lead a well-established department in a respected organization.

Please find the job posting at https://www.newcemcorp.org/news-events/open-position-director-cemetery-services

The team is looking for creativity, professionalism, critical thinking, knowledge, versatility, practical experience, and passion for the work. This position requires the ability to manage a dedicated team, engage with the public, and collaborate with upper management and the Board of Trustees.

VOICES Boston

The 2020-2021 school year is like no other and as a result, families are aware of the extra efforts required for their students socially and in their learning. VOICES Boston is a children’s chorus for singers K-8 that offers students the opportunity to do both while building confidence, discipline, leadership, friendships, and a love of music that lasts a lifetime.

VOICES Boston has been working tirelessly to offer creative opportunities for children grades K-8 to continue to participate in choral rehearsals, even during these challenging times. Registration is rolling throughout the year.

They are currently rehearsing remotely as well as in a brand new studio and invite anyone from around the world to join! VOICES Boston singers perform a wide range of repertoire and will be performing virtual concerts throughout the year. The first live performance of the season is coming up on October 23rd! For inquiries, to sign up, or just learn more about the program, contact Cynthia Bell at office@voicesboston.org or visit www.voicesboston.org.

Tutor available

Abigail Arnold Tutoring LLC can provide online tutoring for students from middle school upwards in English and writing across the academic disciplines, as well as help with college and other application essays.  With a a PhD in English, Abigail Arnold is an experienced teacher and tutor in these subjects and has extensive experience working with English language learners.

For more information, please visit  https://www.abigailarnoldtutoring.com

Sign up for the NewtonSTEM newsletter: Science/Tech/Engineering/Math

NewtonSTEM.org publishes a free weekly newsletter of announcements about Science/Tech/Engineering/Math relevant to Newton students, parents, teachers, and community volunteers. Sign up for the weekly email here, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Now in its 10th year, NewtonSTEM is a clearinghouse for information about STEM achievements, events, opportunities, and resources, both in and outside of school, specifically relevant to Newton. For more information – or to submit announcements – email info@newtonstem.org.

Halloween Window Decorating Event

The 2020 Newton Halloween Window Decorating Event, now in its 21st year, will look a little different this fall but still remains a wonderful tradition in Newton, providing a safe and fun opportunity for Newton area students, as well as their friends and family, to celebrate Halloween and express their artistic side.

The event is open to Newton kids in Grades 3-8 and registration is only $10.00. This year in order to follow Covid-19 guidelines, students will make their artwork at home
and deliver on October 23rd and 24th to a participating merchant. Each artist will be assigned a merchants’ window in Newton’s participating villages on which to put up their masterpiece.

The subject matter ranges from jack o’ lanterns, ghosts, goblins, witches, owls, to black cats and more, and each artist has their own particular take on the haunted holiday.

Registrations must be submitted by October 10th. You will be notified of your window location by October 21st.

Thanks to Learning Express for offering a 20% discount on supplies and to John T. Burns Insurance, McGovern Automotive Group, Greentail Table and Angelo’s Barbershop for their donations.