Tag Archives: elem

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

The West Suburban YMCA is Hiring!
The Y has an immediate need for Youth Group Leaders for the Fall 2020 Out of School Time program. Youth Group Leaders will provide academic support and facilitate enrichment opportunities for K-8 students enrolled in the Y’s Out of School Time program. The Y offers generous benefits, free membership, and professional development opportunities. Youth Group Leaders who work 20+ hours per week and have a child enrolled in the OST program also receive 50% off the program tuition. Learn more and apply today at www.wsymca.org/careers.

Out of School Time Enrollment, Grades K-8
Program begins September 21st
This fall the Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program is offering a full day program from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm to support distance learning and complement the Newton Public Schools schedule. Families have the option to enroll their child for 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The EEC-certified Out of School Time program provides academic support, study strategies, and structured routine, as well as opportunities for physical activities and enrichment activities. Learn more at www.wsymca.org/OST.

Fall Programs
Mini Sessions
Early Fall Program Session starts September 21st
The Y is offering three 4-week mini sessions this fall. Register for programs such as swimming, sports, music, and fitness! Small group and private sessions are available. All programming follows state health and safety guidelines. Visit the Y’s website for more information and registration.

YMCA Preschool Enrollment, Ages 2.9 – 5 years
Fall 2020 Program Begins September 21st
The EEC-certified Preschool Center for Youth Development at the West Suburban YMCA is accepting enrollments for Fall 2020. The program offers full day care from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm with the option to enroll 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The program has been newly structured to keep children and teachers safe and healthy amid the ongoing pandemic, with small cohorts, individual materials and student supplies, and frequent handwashing, sanitizing, and disinfecting. For more information regarding enrollment, contact Tricia Mansfield at triciam@wsymca.org.

Sports, Swim, Music, and More
One-on-one or small group private lessons are available for many Y programs, including swim lessons, basketball, soccer, sports-specific athletic training, music lessons, and more. Instructors are highly experienced in their program areas and will tailor a program to meet your needs! Most private lessons have the option to be held indoors, outdoors, or virtually. Contact the Y’s Welcome Center at 617-244-6050 ext. 0 for more information.

Personal Training
Outdoors, Indoors, or Virtual Training
Personal training is available for members either outside, in a private studio, or virtually. For more information or to set up a training session, please email Jenni at jennip@wsymca.org or call her at (617) 244-6050 ext. 3034.

Make a Reservation
Family swim, adult recreational and lap swim, Court A, and group exercise classes are currently by reservation only. Reservations can be made no more than 48 hours in advance. To make reservations please visit wsymca.org/reservations.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Safety Protocols and Procedures
The West Suburban YMCA is operating in accordance with all guidelines and recommendations outlined by the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, and local health authorities. Visit the Y’s reopening guide for more about the West Suburban YMCA’s new protocols.

Thank Covid-19 Heroes

Newton residents may receive a free Thank You Covid-19 Heroes lawn sign. The Thank Covid-10 Heroes group has partnered with Village Bank to raise money for

  • Newton Wellesley Hospital-Covid-19 Fund
  • Newton Covid-19 Care Fund
  • Newton Food Pantry

Help these important Newton charities and let those in our community who are working to serve us all know that you appreciate them.

Please visit https://cv19heroes.org/ today and get a sign. While every little bit helps, a $2.00 minimum donation is suggested.

Stand Strong, Stand Tall (TM) – Back to School Edition!

Artemis Girls – Stand Strong, Stand Tall (TM) – Back to School Edition!

This online “Back to School” edition is based on the popular Girls Empowerment Program for middle school girls!  This special Back to School Edition of Artemis Girls will prepare girls for the upcoming school year which will surely look and feel different for so many. It will be more important than ever to build strength, stamina and self-confidence in order to navigate the challenges this school year will bring. This innovative program helps girls to seek their own true voice with yoga, mindfulness, breath work, creative expression and self-reflection.

For girls grades 5 to 8 (approx ages 10 to 14), the program will be held online via Zoom. Please register by August 28th so that they know you are interested. This class requires a minimum of 8 students to be held. This program will be led by Tracy Affonso, an experienced school educator and youth yoga and mindfulness instructor.

Register at https://bit.ly/artemis-girls-back-2-school

Questions? Reach out to Liz Padula at liz@artemisyoga.com

August 31st –  September 4th, 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Registration Fee: $85

At its core, Artemis Girls Stand Strong, Stand Tall (TM) creates a safe space for girls to build strength of body, mind and spirit Continue reading →

Get a no-cost energy assessment

Until September 30th, homeowners can get 100% off the cost of a Mass Save approved home insulation project after having a virtual no-cost energy audit using a smartphone to take photos of some areas of your home. In addition to potentially great financial savings, this will help to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your carbon footprint.

Other incentives include air-sealing; rebates off up to $2,750.00 on energy-efficient equipment upgrades; no-cost LED light bulbs; shower heads and power strips. Homeowners are eligible for an energy assessment every three years.

The number to call is 781-305-3319, choose option 2 and say you were referred by Green Newton or visit https://www.homeworksenergy.com/neighbors/greennewton

If opportunities are found to weatherize or insulate your home at no cost, a follow up appointment will be scheduled with an installation specialist by the end of November.

You can learn more at greennewton.org.

Volunteer Positions Available at the Newton Food Pantry

Volunteers are currently needed for the following positions at the NFP (Must be 18 years or older for all positions):

  • Monday AM Volunteer (75 minute shift): Working within a small team, volunteer in this role must be physically fit and able to lift and move 50 pound boxes and unload 6,000 pounds of food. Hours: 8:15 – 9:30 am or 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
  • Wednesday AM Volunteer: Drivers needed to caravan to Newton housing facilities and make contactless deliveries. Volunteers must have their own car and be able to lift 30 pound bags. Hours: 9:45 -1 1:00 am
  • Wednesday PM Volunteer: Physically fit volunteers needed to help with client grocery distribution. Shift work requires ability to lift 10-50 pound boxes and bags repetitively while being outside in all weather conditions. Spanish, Portuguese or Russian speaking volunteers are an added bonus! Hours: 12:30 – 2:30 pm or 2:30 – 4:30 pm

If interested please email volunteercoordinator@newtonfoodpantry.org.

An active and socially distant service opportunity

Are you looking for an active and socially distant service opportunity for your family?

Join the Centre Street Food Pantry’s ‘Off the Beaten Path’ campaign! They’re looking for families who like to bike, swim, walk, or run. For every mile that you go together, you will raise money for our local pantry. Pantry staff will help you find safe routes around the city and provide all the tools you need to solicit sponsors. Contact Team Leader Kate Ballas at k.ballas@centrestreetfoodpantry.org to join the fun!

Kibbeh Kitchen

Diego Mobarak, a rising freshman at Newton South, and siblings Anais and
Gibran, started the Kibbeh Kitchen, which sells authentic, homemade Lebanese platters and delivers them to your home.

100% of the proceeds are channeled directly to the Lebanese Red Cross. The Kibbeh Kitchen not only aims to raise funds for the Lebanese Red Cross, which is offering on the ground support in the wake of the two explosions that devastated Beirut, but also raise awareness about Lebanon.

The menu consists of a family platter and an individual one, both containing beef or butternut squash kibbeh, tabbouleh, man’oushe, and hummus with pita. For more information on each dish and how to order, please visit kibbehkitchen.org and Instagram @kibbeh_kitchen.

The West Suburban YMCA is open!

The West Suburban YMCA reopened its doors to new and existing members on July 6th, following the state’s transition into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. New protocols are in place to align with all guidelines and recommendations outlined by the CDC, state, and local health departments.

Visit the reopening guide for more about the West Suburban YMCA’s new protocols.

Summer Eats
Free Meals for Kids & Teens through September 4th
The West Suburban YMCA has partnered with the Metrowest YMCA to participate in Summer Eats, Massachusetts’ Summer Food Service Program. The federally funded nutrition program provides free, healthy meals to all children ages 18 and under when school is not in session. Meals are available for pick-up at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (lunch) and 3:00 – 4:00 pm (snack) through September 4, 2020. Kids and teens who wish to pick up a lunch or snack should check-in at the Y’s Welcome Center.

Fall Programs
The Y is offering programming in swimming, sports, music, and fitness this fall! Small group and private sessions are available. All programming follows state health and safety guidelines. Visit the Y’s website for more information and registration.

Childcare and Out-of-School Time
Preschool and Out-of-School Time are planning for Fall 2020 programming. The Out-of-School Time program will offer full-day care to support distance learning and complement Newton Public Schools plan for the fall. Programs have been adapted to meet guidelines and safety protocols outlined by the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, and local health departments.

Open Gym and Outdoor Hoop
Court A in the gymnasium is available for basketball by reservation. Reservations are 60 minutes long and limited to 1 person or 1 family/household per appointment time. Please bring your own basketball and a water bottle. To make reservations visit wsymca.org/reservations.

The Y also installed an outdoor basketball hoop in the rear parking lot for member use. Members must scan in at the Welcome Center before using the hoop and everyone must bring their own basketball. Reservations to are not required, but it is only available during certain hours.

Family Swim
The small pool is available for family swim by reservation. Reservation slots are for 30 minutes and are limited to one family/household and a maximum for 6 family members. To make reservations visit wsymca.org/reservations.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs

The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Come to camp all year round with BJEP

The Newton community is invited to meet new Community Director, Rabbi Myra Meskin, learn about an independent Jewish Sunday school for Grades K-7 located (and eventually back) on the Brandeis campus, and take part in a short family program.

Join to hear more about this welcoming community, and how Brandeis student teachers lead experiential learning and cultivate the experience of radical amazement for all kids. RSVP to attend the August 23rd (virtual) Taste of BJEP Open House, zoom link to follow one hour before the event.

To learn more please visit www.bjep.org  or contact director@bjep.com or 781-386-7278.

Fall Planning Update from the Superintendent

August 7, 2020

Dear NPS Families,

Next week, we will share our fall Return to Learn plan with the community. We will begin with a presentation of the plan at the School Committee meeting on Monday, August 10th at 7:00 p.m. There will be an additional School Committee meeting on Wednesday. School Committee members will then hold virtual office hours on Thursday and Friday to answer some of your questions.

The plan we will present reflects our current thinking on the possible models with which we will return to learning in the fall. It will give you information on both the health and safety measures we have put in place in our school buildings, as well as draft academic schedules for both hybrid and distance learning.

Please mark your calendars for the following meetings next week to learn more about the plan.

Monday, August 10th – 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting – Link here for meeting login information.

Wednesday, August 12th – 8:00 a.m. School Committee Meeting – Link here for meeting login information.

Thursday, August 13th – 7:00 p.m. School Committee Office Hours (pre-registration required) – Link here for meeting login information.

Friday, August 14th – 8:00 a.m. School Committee Office Hours (pre-registration required) – Link here for meeting login information.

Please know that public health data will continue to drive our decisions and the plans are subject to change based upon this data. We will continue to work closely with the Newton Health and Human Services Department to guide our decision-making process. Please visit our Return to Learn website at www.newton.k12.ma/returntolearn or email us a community@newton.k12.ma.us with questions.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

Superintendent of Schools