Category Archives: Community Notes

Vacation Week fun with HIstory

February vacation week programs at Historic Newton. Bring your family to Historic Newton for a full day of historic fun. With Historic Newton educators, try out colonial-era games, explore the museum exhibits, make a diorama, roll your own candles, and more.

Activities run from 11:30 to 1:30 and from 2:00 to 4:00 with a break for lunch. Come for one activity or stay all day! Recommended for elementary-age children; siblings welcome.
Information: 617-641-9142 .


February 20th and February 22nd, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm

February 20th and February 22nd, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm

Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton

Free arts workshop February break

You are invited to a free arts workshop for grades 6 – 9 during February vacation. You will work on a moving panorama, or “crankie,” which is a long continuous scroll illustrated with mixed media, and once put into a box can be cranked to show a moving story. A free public performance of the crankie will take place on February 22nd at 5:00 pm for parents and anyone interested from the local communities. Visit this website for more details about moving panoramas: http://www.thecrankiefactory.com/

Please email ma**********@*******ce.org to enroll in the workshop.

February 18th – 22nd, 1:00 -4:00 pm

Gore Place, Waltham

Spring session ensemble band classes

Spring session ensemble band classes for ages 8-18 of all levels begins the week of February 25th. Band classes meet once per week for 1 1/2 hours and are offered seven days per week.

Plugged In‘s newest program, After Dark, is for already formed bands comprised of high school students that want to take the next step. After Dark offers bands rehearsal space on Friday and Saturday evenings in addition to clinics on topics such as How to Book Gigs, Promote Your Band and Music as a Career. A Plugged In teacher will be onsite to consult during rehearsal time and will present clinic. The Plugged In After Dark program begins the week of February 25th.

For more information on all Plugged In programs and to register, please email in**@***********nd.org, call 781-444-1879 or visit www.pluggedinband.org.

The Plugged In Band Program is a non-profit rock band program in Needham teaching kids about using music to help others. In addition to ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians of all levels and needs feel a sense of belonging, have an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world. In the loving and non-competitive environment at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

All Newton Music School Music and Theater Summer Camp

Do you know… that All Newton Music School has a Music and Theater Summer Camp?

Music Explorers Summer Camp is a performing arts summer camp for children from 5 to 9 years old. They offer courses in theater, dance, music, and visual arts. Younger campers have more guidance and supervision, while older campers are able to take on some responsibility and have a chance to dive deeper into music study and take on more significant roles in the musical theater performance.

During theater class, campers will rehearse the songs, acting, and choreography of a musical where they will learn to let their star shine at the Festival Evening performances!

You may register your child for individual sessions or sign up for both!

Session one: $500.00
July 1st – July 12th (camp closed on July 4th), 8:45 am – 3:00 pm
Musical: Singin’ in the Rain, Jr.

Session two: $550.00
July 15th – July 26th, 8:45 am – 3:00 pm
Musical: Getting to Know: Oklahoma!

Learn more and Online Registration: allnewton.org/summer-camp. For other questions, please email or call the Registrar at na***@*******on.org or 617-527-4553.

Teen Summer Expo

The Teen Summer Expo is FREE and open to everyone!

Meet personally with the directors of a wide variety of enriching summer programs for high school and middle school students. Programs for every budget and every interest including academic enrichment, adventure travel, teen tours, teen camps, community service, internships, intensive sport instruction, language immersion, arts, theatre, music, college prep, STEM and gap year programs.

The Expo lets you efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make informed decisions about programming, costs, safety, camp and supervision.

For more information visit www.teensummerexpos/newton-south

January 28th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Newton South High School Cafeteria

PRE-REGISTER to receive a list of exhibiting programs.

Mason-Rice PTO online auction

The Mason-Rice Elementary School PTO’s annual online auction is now live and runs until January 28th!

Go to www.biddingforgood.com/masonrice. The auction has something for everyone…discounts on all of the popular kids’ summer camps, classes for kids, fitness classes and health club memberships, vacation rentals, tickets to games, museum passes, theater tickets, gift cards to local salons, spas, stores, restaurants…and SO MUCH MORE!

Ward PTO online auction

Please visit the Ward Elementary School PTO Auction and get ready to be wow’ed by:

  • Fantastic Sports Tickets and Memorabilia
  • Luxurious Gold Outings
  • Relaxing Beauty and Spa Services
  • Exciting adventures and hotel stays
  • Stimulating lessons and activities for kids including many camps
  • Gift cards to all your favorite restaurants
  • and much more!!

Bidding is open January 24th – 31st
BID Here EARLY AND OFTEN!

Future Chefs Challenge

Once again, the Newton Public Schools food service partner Sodexo, is hosting the Future Chefs culinary competition! This year, the theme is Mexican. Just fill out the entry form with your favorite Mexican recipe. One winner from each school will be chosen to participate in a cooking contest at Newton North High School on March 26th. We can’t wait to see your creative recipes and taste those amazing dishes!

Entries are due February 8th. Forms can be picked up in the main office or the cafeteria at each elementary school and then returned to either location by the deadline. For more information, please visit the NPS website.

Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents

Teach children to manage their time, space and materials and keep their emotions in check!

This presentation will cover powerful strategies to help your child develop independent executive function; teach students to internally sense the sweep of time, self-monitor in order to sustain concentration, manage pace, and complete tasks in allocated time frames; improve students’ motivation and task initiation, help them to plan homework and long-term projects/papers, and coach students to think in an organized way; and encourage self-initiative to manage homework and personal belongings.

Ms. Kristen Jacobsen, MS CCC-SLP is a trained speech-language pathologist who is Co-Director at the Cognitive Connections Executive Function Practice. She is currently working with Newton Public Schools to develop an Executive Function program for middle school students. She provides training and coaching for teachers and professionals, parent consultations, as well as student coaching services. Ms. Jacobsen has worked as an educational consultant and speech-language pathologist in public education, private schools and hospital settings, and has provided teacher training seminars and school consultations nationally.

Sponsored by Newton SEPAC and Newton Public Schools

February 13th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Newton North High School Auditorium
457 Walnut Street, Newton

February Vacation Activities & Early Spring Clubs

Announcing February Vacation activities and Spring clubs at the Makers’ Corner!
The Makers’ Corner after school program serves students in grades 6-8, and is located in the Underwood School. To see activity and club descriptions, register for those and for the regular Makers’ Corner program, visit www.underwoodafterschool.org/makerscorner.

February Vacation week
February 19th – 21st, 8:15 am – 5:30 pm each day (sign up by the day)
February 19th: Woodworking Day – Make Your Own Candy Dispenser
February 20th: Intro to Glassblowing at the Diablo Glass School
February 21st: Studio Tour & Making a Mock Newscast at NewTV

Spring Clubs
Sewing Stuffed Animals Club, Tuesdays, 2:00-4:15 pm, March 5th – April 9th
Scene Shop Props, Costumes, & Sets Club, Thursdays, 2:45 – 4:15 pm , March 7th – May 9th
Build Your Own Infinity Light Table Club, Fridays, 2:45 – 4:15 pm, March 1st – Apr 5th