Category Archives: Community Notes

Parenting Our Daughters drop-in discussion, Feb. 25

Parenting Our Daughters, a discussion, support and activist group open to all Newton mothers of tween/teen daughters who are interested in figuring out how to best empower and support our girls, invites all to its February meeting.

Drop-in Discussion Group – Tuesday February 25 from 7:30-9:00 pm

• Open to all mothers of tween/teen girls in Newton
• Share any concerns related to raising your daughter with a group of other supportive moms

Meeting at Samadhi, 796 Beacon St, Newton Center. For more information or to RSVP, please contact: Kim Gallaugher via email  or 617-558-0092 or visit the Parenting our Daughters website.

Feb. Vacation Teen Programs at Newton Free Library

Teen Crafternoons, Tuesday, February 18, 3:30 pm 

Get creative on Tuesday, February 18 at 3:30 pm in the second floor Teen Area of the Newton Free Library where we will be hanging out working crafts.

Wearable Wednesday, Wednesday, February 19, 3:00 pm (Teens) and 7:00 pm (Families and Adults) 

Create your own wearable art! We’ll be experimenting with EL Wire to make wearable EL Wire Art! EL Wire is a flexible, glowing wire that is powered by small battery packs. Deck out your clothing, glasses, lunch box, messenger bags, hoodie, necktie, bike or ski helmet. It’s easy to use to spice up any outfit. Feel free to bring your own clothing or items to decorate, or use what we have available. Kevin Osborn, local Maker and long-time engineer with a passion for teaching people to create things they may never have dreamed of, will lead the workshop. The Teen session is open to grades 6-12. Space is limited at both sessions. Register online, call 617-796-1389 or email.

“Ender’s Game” Movie Screening, Friday, February 21, 3:00 pm

Based on the classic dystopian novel by Orson Scott Card, we will be holding a screening of the film “Ender’s Game” in Druker Auditorium. Rated PG-13, run time 114 min.  Open to ages 13 and up. Snacks will be provided.

Teen Writing Workshop, Saturday, February 22, 2:00 pm

Join local YA writer, Kirsten Feldman, in the Newton Free Library Teen Area. Bring a writing sample to share with the group – a story, article, poem, or novel in the works – something you will think will grab the reader’s/listener’s attention. Ms. Feldman will read from her first book, No Alligators in Sight. The group will have the opportunity to comment on and ask questions about each piece as well do some writing, time permitting.

Comedy Sportz Boston & Cabot’s Show, Feb. 19

Mystery Café comes to Newton for February vacation week for a “Comedy Sportz Boston & Cabot’s” show to benefit Newton’s Athletes Unlimited   If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway? then you’ll love ComedySportz, a fun, fast-paced comedy show that’s great for the whole family.

Wednesday February 19th
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Post 440, 295 California Street in Newton

Come see two teams of “Actletes” battle for laughs — and points — as they make up scenes, games and songs on the spot, with audience participation and suggestions incorporated into the act.  Halftime will feature free sundaes from Cabot’s Ice Cream for all.

The cost is $10.00 per person or $25 per family, which includes the show and ice cream.  Pay cash at the door or with checks payable to Athletes Unlimited.  All proceeds to benefit Newton’s Athletes Unlimited program, which supports year-round recreation to over 250 children and adults with disabilities.

Please call the Newton Parks & Recreation Department at (617)796-1527 for more information.

Summer Camp 101: An Educational Forum for Parents

Enrolling your child at day camp or overnight camp is a significant and sometimes complicated decision. This informational evening will assist families who are exploring camping options for their children. It is neither a sales pitch, nor a camp fair, but a unique opportunity for parents to hear from experts in the field.

A local camp referral agent and four camp owners and directors, representing a day camp and girls, boys, and co-ed overnight camps, will participate. In addition to answering your questions, this diverse panel will address a broad range of topics including:

• benefits of camping
• types of camps available & differences between them
• practical strategies for matching your child to the right camp
• ways to assess your child’s readiness for camp
• questions to ask a camp’s owners and directors
• how camps extend and enrich the work going on in schools

Sponsored by the Zervas Elementary School P.T.O.
February 26th, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Zervas Elementary School
30 Beethoven Avenue, Waban

Indoor Farmers Market, Tuesday, Feb. 11

The Newton Farmers Market offers a wide variety of goods including fresh produce, meats, seafood, organic eggs, coffee, tea, spices, jams & jellies, pickles, hot popovers & bread, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, Lilies, lavender items (including soaps, lotions & pillows) and gluten free baked goods.

Every Tuesday, November-June
1:30-6:00 PM
Hyde Community Center
90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands (accessible by T)

We now accept EBT/SNAP/credit and debit. Tell your neighbors and friends to check us out! more information, please call 617-796-1525.

Free February Vacation week gym events for Middle School kids

Mark your calendar and join the fun!

  • Monday, February 17: Team Indoor Sports Skill Building Workshop
  • Tuesday, February 18: Team Dance Workshop
  • Wednesday, February 19: Frisbee Show & Workshop
  • Thursday, February 20: Self-Defense Workshop
  • Friday, February 21: Hip Hop Dance Workshop

From 2:00 -4:00 pm at the Hyde Community Gym, 90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands

Sponsored by The Newton Partnership and the Hyde Community Gym. For more information call: 617-527-3308

Call for Nominations: Newton Schools Foundation Celebrates Excellence

Newton Schools Foundation Celebrates Excellence at its Second Annual Spring Gala

Newton Schools Foundation invites the community to submit nominations for honorees to be recognized at its Second Annual Spring benefit gala, Celebration of Excellence, May 3rd at Newton North High School. The Foundation will honor people who have made a positive impact on the Newton Public Schools.

The benefit will feature the comic genius of Jimmy Tingle, gourmet fare generously donated by local restaurants and the music of Loose Change, a band of Newton educators, not to be missed!

Nominees may include employees and alumni of the Newton Public Schools, and Newton community/business leaders. Anyone can submit a nomination by the deadline of March 15th. Submissions of 150 words or less must include your name and email address and the name and email address of the nominee, as well as the following information:

  • For NPS long-standing employees/retirees:
  1. The name and address of the Newton school where the nominee works or worked
  2. A statement explaining what positive impact this person has made on the Newton Public Schools
  • For NPS alumni:
  1. The Newton school(s) that the nominee attended
  2. The name and address of the person’s business, if applicable
  3. A statement explaining what positive impact this person has made on the Newton Public Schools
  • For Newton community/business leaders:
  1. The name and address of the person’s business or organization, if applicable
  2. A statement explaining what positive impact this person has made on the Newton Public Schools

Submit nominations by March 15 to in**@*********************on.org or Newton Schools Foundation, c/o Celebration of Excellence, 246 Dudley Rd., Newton Centre, MA 02459. For more information on the Celebration of Excellence, visit www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org

Intro to the College Process

Please join us for a college workshop aimed at students (especially Juniors) and parents, before school break and college visits begin.

Students: is there such a thing as a “perfect fit”? How do you start your exploration and what really matters as you launch the college search and application process?

Parents: what role should you play on this journey? How can you provide support, knowing how important it is for your children to take charge and make the important choices for themselves?

Cory Alperstein, founder and principal of Future Choice College Consulting, will explore these questions and discuss some specific strategies that may help your family survive the admissions process with positive outcomes for everyone involved! Ms. Alperstein will also cover stress reduction, including how making choices early about academic, extra-curriculars and social life is key to managing the stress when the application process really begins. Bring your sense of humor!

February 10th, 7:00 pm
Druker Auditorium
Newton Free Library

PAC Meeting on Writing Measurable IEP Goals

Have you ever wondered how to write a better IEP for your child, one that has goals that can be readily understood and measured?

Please come to a meeting of the NewtonPAC on the topic of Writing Measurable IEP Goals with Brenda Dater of the Asperger’s Association of New England. This workshop will provide practical information on how to write better IEP goals and objectives to meet your child’s needs. She will address the main areas that are often covered in an IEP, and will examine examples from real IEPs to determine if they are measurable. You will leave with the tools that you need to analyze your child’s current IEP and to develop goals that are easy to understand, implement and measure. All NewtonPAC presentations are open to everyone, and are free of charge.

February 11th
Education Center, Room 210
100 Walnut Street, Newton

Networking begins at 7:15 pm., and the presentation will begin at 7:30 pm. Any questions, please email Eileen Sandberg at Ei***********************@***il.com.