Halloween Window Painting Contest, October 27th
Deadline to Register is October 19th
The Halloween window painting contest is back, and now includes window painting in a new village…West Newton! The painting will take place on Saturday, October 27th, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm (rain date October 28th). On-line registration is now open to Newton kids in grades 3 – 8 at Newton Community Pride The cost is $10 per child. The registration deadline is Friday, October 19th. Register soon, as it fills up quickly! Any questions, call 617-527-8283.
Other Events:
October 11: Newton Youth Summit. Mayor Warren is hosting a Youth Summit to help parents and the larger community understand the challenges facing our teens, to have teens authentically express their experiences, and to coalesce as a community to support teens. The Summit will be held from 6:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, October 11, at Oak Hill Middle School, 130 Wheeler Road in Newton. 200 adults and teens are expected to attend. The evening will include hearing from the Mayor, from teens, small group discussion sessions, and an opportunity for all to express their opinion on the most pressing challenges and most significant opportunities for youth in Newton. For more information and registration go to: www.conta.cc/Qdg5yoor email youthsummit@newtonma.gov.
October 17: Aliens from Planet Teen. Author and psychologist Anthony Wolf will act as a “translator“ for parents and teenagers who at times seem to be speaking completely different languages. Dr. Wolf, who is the author of the popular parenting book, “Get Out of My Life! But first will you drive me and Cheryl to the Mall?” will help us consider how to most harmoniously work with typical teen behaviors in ways that strengthen relationships. Learn how to decipher and respond to temperamental teens and tweens and why they behave as they do. This insightful lecture will leave parents with a better understanding of their children and will benefit the whole family. 7:00-9:00 pm, Bigelow Middle School, 42 Vernon Street. Suggested donation $5 per person.
October 23, Widening the Lens: Body Image in the Modern Media Culture – Workshop for Teens. 7:00-8:00 pm, West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church Street. This free workshop for teens will be presented by staff from the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association. We will explore the messages embedded in today’s media-saturated world and encourage participants to use critical thinking skills when confronted with such images. The workshop explores how the media messages we see and hear every day can potentially impact body image and what we can do to maintain a positive body image and sense of self in the face of these messages. We will look at specific examples of media images and apply critical media literacy skills to them as well as discuss strategies for developing healthy habits and positive body image. Free to all Newton Teens! For more information email susan_linn@newton.k12.ma.us
October 29: Wonder Book Reading and Discussion. Join Understanding Our Differences for a family friendly book reading and signing of Wonder, with author RJ Palacio, on Monday, October 29, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, at the Newton South High School Auditorium. This New York Times bestselling novel is about the coming together of an extraordinary boy with a disability and his school community. Wonder gives readers a greater appreciation for the courage of friendship, and the power of kindness. Palacio will read from Wonder and answer questions, and the book will be available for purchase and signing. Event moderator is Brian O’Donovan, WGBH Producer/Host. Elementary school students and older are welcome with an adult. This event is free. Please RSVP at http://understandingourdifferences.org/wonder-event/. For more information, contact Understanding Our Differences at info@UnderstandingOurDifferences.org.
Wednesdays in October & November: Navigating the Rocky Road of Adolescence (for parents of students grades 6-8). 4 Wednesdays: 10/23/12, 10/30/12, 11/6/12 and 11/13/12 from 7:00-8:30 pm, The Freedman Center at MSPP, 1 Wells Ave. Join psychologist and facilitator Deborah Weinstock-Savoy and fellow parents for this four-session series exploring many changes that occur during adolescence, and how they affect relationships at home and school. Discuss relevant topics such as promoting healthy choices, setting realistic limits and appropriate consequences; understanding when and how to negotiate; dealing with changes and crises (e.g., divorce); identifying risk factors for anxiety and depression; handling experimentation with sex, alcohol, drugs, and learning to “let go” while maintaining family connections. Suggested donation $20 for the series. Financial assistance available. (Note: A group for parents of high school students will be starting Feb. 26, 2013. Registration will be available later this Fall.) For registration information, go to The Freedman Center website at http://www.mspp.edu/community/freedman-center/adolescence.php.
Newton’s One to One Program. Could your child, age 6 to 11, benefit from the consistent, caring friendship of a Newton teenager? Newton’s One to One Program has an enthusiastic and responsible new group of high school juniors & seniors from Newton North and Newton South High Schools. If you would like the opportunity to have your child matched this academic year with a “Big Brother/Sister”, please call Nancy Holczer, Program Director, at 617-559-9063 or email at Nancy_Holczer@newton.k12.ma.us, by the end of October for more information. When calling or emailing, please provide your name, address, and phone number or email address. One to One is a program of the Newton Public Schools since 1972.
Announcements from Parent Advisory Council for Special Education:
October 9, 2012: Learn about Restraint and Seclusion Practices in NPS. Restraint and seclusion is a topic appearing in the news, is part of a Massachusetts State initiative and National discussion. This evening NPS staff will review NPS practices related to restraint and seclusion. 6:30-8:00 pm. 100 Walnut Street, Room 217.
October 16, 2012: Newton Special Education Programs. An evening to meet administrators and learn about special education services and programs in Newton’s Schools for the 2012-2013 school year. 100 Walnut Street, Room 210.
Middle and High School Students – 6:15-7:30 pm
Pre-School and Elementary School Students – 7:45-9:00 pm
October 24, 2012: Focus Group for Elementary School Parents. 4:30-5:30 pm. 100 Walnut Street, Room 210.
For more information about any of these programs or the Parent Advisory Council for Special Education, please go to http://newtonpac.org/2012/09/30/elementary-school-sped-parents-focus-group-oct-24th/.
Celebrate Newton Crafts Fair, Dec. 2Join us at Celebrate Newton, an annual juried crafts fair sponsored by Newton Community Education (NCE). $3.00 per person, kids under 12 free, proceeds benefit the NCE scholarship fund.
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, (Snow Date, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012)
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Newton South HS
140 Brandeis Rd.
Newton Centre, MA
Volunteer Opportunity: Shovel Snow for Neighbors in Need
The Newton Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments are preparing a list of students and adults willing to volunteer snow shoveling services for local senior/disabled residents. Can you please help out? Visit City of Newton home page, click on “residents,”, click on “volunteer services” for more information, or e-mail parks@newtonma.gov