Tag Archives: elem

Public information sessions coming up

Newton Safe Routes to School would like Newton families to know about two upcoming public information sessions.

1. Commonwealth Ave Carriageway proposal to create two-way bike travel on the Carriageway; right now biking is only formally allowed for those traveling west.

October 19th,  5:30 – 7:00 pm Click here for Zoom link  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ShV3IMZWwO8B0iaRITXMIMESpq73j4zx/view?usp=sharing

2. Proposal to add bike lanes and shared lanes on Parker St beginning at Dedham St and ending at Beacon St. Parker St. bike lanes would take students to Brown Middle School, Oak Hill Middle School, Bowen Elementary School, and Newton South High School.

October 21t,  5:30 – 7:00 pm.  Click here for flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B6DXG44GP-E8VD37bOW3z3QwueXs-lrP/view?usp=sharing.

Questions or comments about the proposed bike projects? Please email Nicole Freedman at nfreedman@newtonma.gov

Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council Declares a Pumpkin War Contest!

The Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council is hosting a virtual pumpkin carving/decorating contest as a replacement for their usual “Halloween at the Hyde” Haunted House event. Gift cards to local sweet shop, Indulge!, will be awarded to top entries in each of three categories: Scariest – Funniest – Most Original.

Who’s got the scariest/funniest/most original pumpkin on the block? If you think your family does, prove it! Enter the Newton Highlands Area Council’s Pumpkin War Contest.

All photos will be shared on Instagram at @NewtonHighlandsAreaCouncil. Winners will be announced at the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council’s November 5th meeting.

Entering is easy as pumpkin pie! Once you’ve created your pumpkin masterpiece, take a picture and email it, along with your name and address (names and addresses will not be shared on Instagram) to HighlandsPumpkinWar@gmail.com

Pumpkin photos only! No human, zombie, or ghost photos permitted. Entries must be received by November 2nd and limited to one per family. Participants must be Newton residents or own/work at a business in Newton. Contest details and rules are posted online at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/neighborhood/highlands/default.asp.

Student run website solutions for small businesses

Weaverbird.tech is a company run by a group of high school students with backgrounds in website design. They are focused on designing and renovating websites for small businesses and brick and mortar stores to help you adjust to the digital world during the pandemic. They’d like to help small businesses readjust to the uncertain times by creating an online space for you to sell your products to a wider range of customers and keep in touch with your existing community.

If you contact them with a request they will make a website that caters to your specifications and needs for free. Email hello.weaverbird@gmail.com for more information.

Tutor available

Would your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader benefit from individual tutoring? David Dubin is a licensed fourth grade teacher who can supplement your child’s remote learning or help them with homework during the after school hours.

Please email daviddubin75@gmail.com or text/call 617-513-4397 to discuss scheduling, rates and to devise a plan customized to your child’s needs.

Tutor available

Former teacher with 30 years of  experience in Grades 1-12 in the Brookline, Concord and Lexington Schools, classroom teacher, middle and high school English/Reading teacher, and certified Literacy Specialist, is available to support elementary, middle or high school students in academic subjects, executive functioning and study skills, and writing. She also can assist with college essay support / test prep–SSAT, ISEE, SAT and ACT.

Resume and excellent parent and professional references, including Newton parents, are available upon request. Currently all tutoring is virtual. For more information, contact Cynthia Carpenter at cscarp@gmail.com or  617-949-1522.

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

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.