Category Archives: Summer

Upcoming Newton Free Library Teen Events

Explore a Gap Year. Are you wondering about the benefits of a Gap Year, and realistic options amidst COVID? Join Katherine Stievater, Founder of Gap Year Solutions for a presentation and Q&A about the many available domestic programs, local activities, and new options offering social connection and mentoring to students. For teens and their adults.  June 23rd, 7:00 pm

Online ACT Practice Exam. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. Please complete registration on Revolution Prep’s website.  June 27th, 9:00 am

Check, Please Author Ngozi Ukazu. Celebrated author/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling webcomic/graphic novel series Check, Please! Join on Zoom as Ngozi gives teens a look into her drawing and writing process. A question and answer session will follow! Grades 7 and up. This event is co-sponsored by OUTMetrowest. June 30th, 4:00 pm

Online SAT Practice Exam. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. Please complete registration on Revolution Prep’s website. July 11th, 9:00 am

Pop Up Art Presents: Coffee with Chewbacca  Draw Chewbacca step-by-step, with the instructor, then paint your portrait of everyone’s favorite galactic furry with brewed coffee or paint. Bonus: Pixel Puzzle PDF of “Wash Your Hans” to color at home! Grades 6-12.  July 14th, 7:00 pm

Free half-day Zoom camp for elementary students

The LigerBots, Newton’s award-winning FIRST high school robotics team, is starting a virtual summer camp for elementary students! Classes will include dance, computer programming, art, creative writing, and so much more!

The camp will be running on Zoom from 9:00-12:30 every weekday for two-week sessions starting on July 6th. The camp is completely free and materials will be provided. If interested, please visit https://tinyurl.com/AMPSCParent. Email cso@ligerbots.com with any questions!

Soccer lessons and/or child care available

Olivia Dubin, a rising senior, 3-year starting varsity goalkeeper for Newton South Soccer and Division 1 Commit to Holy Cross. She specializes in goalkeeper training and is also fully qualified to coach young players in ball skills, tactics, and conditioning. She also has extensive experience in child care from ages 2 to 14. $25.00 per 60-minute session. Contact 617-584-8422 or oliviabdubin@gmail.com.

Summer tutoring/homework help

Maya Bock, Bigelow graduate and current high school student, is offering tutoring and homework help via Zoom this summer (and possibly in person if it becomes safe later in the summer).

During the school year, she worked at a library in Boston as part of the homework help program for kids grades K-8 and helped kids with mostly math, Spanish, science, and writing. She also worked with students on improving study habits and organizational skills and focusing.

Maya charges $15.00/ hour. If you would like tutoring homework help over the summer or during the school year, please email Lssbmediator@gmail.com.

Two ways to help the Newton Food Pantry

1. Volunteer in July and August to distribute senior groceries at Newton Housing Authority.

Interested individuals (between the ages of 18-60) will need to commit to every Wednesday in July and August from 9:45 – 11:45 and have their own car. The volunteer will meet at an NHA Housing Complex and be given bags of groceries to carry and drop at residents’ doors. Delivery is contactless. Each week will involve driving to 3 or 4 complexes. Please email Cat Strahan at catstrahan@gmail.com by June 17th if interested in this role.

2. Apply to be one of two Development/ Management interns

The internship would be for a duration of 6 weeks, and would be largely conducted virtually; with certain important aspects of the work to be conducted on site at the NFP.

The main areas of work will be to assist with the preparation of the needs assessment report to aid with the strategic planning process to be undertaken by the NFP Board. The Interns will be given the training and tools needed to complete this work; no previous direct experience is needed. The Interns will assist with: data gathering, data analysis, report writing, document preparation; and other research and writing tasks as needed. To provide essential context for this important work, the Interns will be required to assist with food pantry operations work (sorting or distribution) at least twice a month, the type and details of this hands-on work will be decided with the volunteer coordinator.

The Interns will be supervised by NFP Development Coordinator and Board Members as needed, and will have regular (at least weekly) interaction via phone/ video/ in person meetings as needed.

Qualifications:
– Current college student or college graduate.
– Current Newton residents preferred.
– Required skills: good writing and communication skills, basic research skills, task management and project management skills, open & friendly attitude.
– Ability to work independently and problem solve.
– Interested in learning about food insecurity and social issues in our community
– Must have their own computer and internet access; NFP is unable to provide equipment to interns.

Please direct all questions and applications for this role to  development@newtonfoodpantry.org by June 17th.

Bike Safety

Have you heard of the ABCs? Not those ABCs, but the ones that have to do with bicycling? Join our friends from the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School for a virtual bike session. You will learn some tips to make sure you and your bike are ready for a full summer of biking in your neighborhood. This program is geared towards children in grades 3-6, but since it’s virtual, invite your family members of all ages to join in! Bring your helmet.

Brought to you in partnership with Newton Safe Routes to School, especially for the 4th/5th graders whose bike safety training was canceled this spring due to COVID-19.

Pre-registration is necessary for this event. One registration per zoom account. The day before the program you will receive a reminder email with the zoom link along with any further instructions.

Here’s the direct link to register https://newtonfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/6788542

June 16th, 4:30 -5:15 pm via Zoom

Summer dance class

Still looking for a fun and energetic activity for your child this summer? All That Jazz Dance Studio has limited space still available for their online summer dance classes and camps. Classes are Monday-Thursday starting June 22nd and weekly dance camps are in July.  Register Now!

For additional information, please contact Deb Vogel at missdeb@allthatjazznewton.com
or 617-641-0784.

Drop-In Running Clinic for kids

Two rising high school sophomores on the Cross Country and Track teams at Newton South High School are eager to share their knowledge and love for the sport, and help provide guidance and support for the next generation of young distance runners (ages 8-12) in the Newton community.

Sessions will meet from 8:00 – 9:30 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week, from June 22nd – July 31st, at the Newton South High School track. The group will do some running (of course!) and also learn about proper stretching and other drills and exercises to enhance fitness and speed. They’ll also play get-to-know-you games and other group activities, while keeping proper social distancing at all times.

Masks will be required for all participants, and may – if allowed by the then-applicable guidelines – be set aside for activities where proper social distancing can be maintained. Instructors Felix Rogovin and Ben Pistiner will also cover training advice (including cross-training, such as biking and swimming), and discuss good habits for athletes – eating well, sleeping well, etc. They’ll talk about running as a team sport and the importance of supporting each other.

Flyer can be viewed here: Running camp. You can sign up for as many days as you’d like, but they need to know you’re coming, so if you’re interested, please sign up at https://forms.gle/TxvSHWwnWsLK5WsH7

The suggested (optional) participation fee is: $5.00 – $10.00 per session, or $20.00 per week. If you have any questions, please email, text or call Rogovin2@gmail.com or 617-821-3375.

Inclusive Online Summer Music camp and Band class programs

Virtual Band Class: Students will be grouped in bands by age, skill level and preferred music genre. Each session will offer two 1.5 hour rock band classes per week

Virtual Summer Camp: Students will be grouped in bands by age, skill level and preferred music genre. Each band will

  • Write an original song
  • Record an original song
  • Create a music video for original song
  • Create a video for end of session concert of performance of set of songs (recording and video)
  • Community Engage
  • Open Mic
  • Music Business
  • Online Benefit Concert Streamed on YouTube
  • Concert Naming and Logo Design
  • Potential Live Performance Opportunities

Plugged In will offer 2 four-week sessions of each program. Sign up for one or both. For more information and/or to register, please go to www.pluggedinband.org.