Tag Archives: elem

Athletes Unlimited Parent Social

Join fellow parents and guardians for this adults-only social event.  New parents, please come learn about Athletes Unlimited and meet other parents who have children with disabilities.  Current parents, please come socialize and share any ideas you may have on programming.  Newton Athletes Unlimited offers recreational programs to individuals with disabilities. It is an amazing resource for students and their parents alike.

Appetizers will be provided with a cash bar.  Please RSVP by clicking here.  You can learn more about Athletes Unlimited here https://www.newtonathletesunlimited.org/

March 26th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Upstairs at Paddy’s Public House, 95 Elm Street, West Newton

After School this Spring at Newton Community Farm

Farm Tuesdays for ages 7-11. Please register here Farm.

This program for elementary-school kids meets weekly on Tuesday afternoons. Kids will start seedlings for planting at the farm and at home, care for chickens and help prepare the learning garden for the growing season. Rain or shine they’ll spend most of the afternoon outdoors learning about the farm, working in the garden, playing games and doing projects. Fee is $160.00 per child. Contact education@newtoncommunityfarm.org with questions or for more information.

Session meets Tuesdays March 31st – May 26th (no class April 21st), 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton

Newton South English Teacher will run 2020 Boston Marathon for Newton Schools Foundation

Jasmine Lellock, Newton South High School English teacher, will run this year’s Boston Marathon to raise funds for Newton Schools Foundation (NSF). Her goal is to raise $5000 to support important programs that enhance students’ educational experience in the Newton Public Schools.

Jasmine began running in 2003, when her students encouraged her to run some laps
with their indoor track team. That spring, she ran her first 26-miler, the Cape Cod Marathon, and she’s run 12 marathons since.

“Students inspired me to start running, and they’ve been part of my journey ever since,”
said Jasmine. She coached the Randolph High School track team and ran the Providence
Marathon twice alongside members of the Newton South Dreamfar Team. This year she met her life goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon–by 8 seconds!

“I feel honored to run my first ever Boston Marathon for Newton Schools Foundation,”
said Jasmine. ”NSF supports programs that encourage high achievement for all students, and as a teacher at Newton South High School, I’ve personally experienced the benefits of their work,” she said. “Students in my class have participated in the Courageous she said. “Students in my class have participated in the Courageous Conversations About Race program, which NSF funds, and I’ve attended several professional development workshops through the Teachers as Scholars Program, funded by a grant from NSF, I’ve also been part of NSF’s annual Honor Thy Teacher recognition program.”

“We’re thrilled and privileged to have Jasmine run for Newton Schools Foundation,”
said Marcia Tabenken, NSF co-president. “Her commitment to helping students achieve success in the classroom and on the track makes Jasmine an ideal ambassador for NSF in this year’s Boston Marathon.”

NSF is committed to expanding opportunities for all students in the Newton Public
Schools, by funding programs in three broad areas: New and promising initiatives, professional development opportunities for teachers, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity. NSF-supported programs span all grades, preschool-high school, and include the areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), sustainability, literacy, civics, the arts, and social/emotional development.

To donate to Jasmine’s run, click
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/jasmines-boston-marathon-charity-run

Jasmine will host a trivia night fundraiser on March 12th, 7:00 – 10:00 pm at Baramor, 45 Union Street, Newton Centre To purchase tickets at $40.00 per person, please Venmo @Jasmine-Lellock.

Newton Schools Foundation is a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, whose mission is to advance excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by funding promising initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity.

Newton Porchfest 2020 Sign ups are open!

Spring is just around the corner. Let’s get ready for Porchfest 2020!

PorchFest is an afternoon of music performances on porches and driveways around Newton. Porchfest 2019 included 100+ musical groups performing all over Auburndale, Lower Falls and in Waban Center.  They hope to match or exceed the number of performances this year!

NewtonPorchfest 2020 is scheduled June 6th (raindate June 7th).

Participate in Porchfest as a

•Host:  Sign up to host a band on your porch, lawn or driveway.  PorchFest will take place in Auburndale, Lower Falls and Waban Center.
•Performer:  Are you a singer-songwriter, part of a jazz quartet, rock band, or dancer?  All forms of musical talent, all ages are welcome!
•Volunteer:  They’d love your help!
•Donor:  Newton PorchFest is funded entirely by donations.  Any and all donations are welcome.

Sign up to participate or to learn more about Porchfest 2020 at https://newton.porchfest.info/

Come to the 31st Annual Project Manna Concert

Temple Emanuel is hosting the 31st Annual Project Manna Concert this month.  This benefit concert supports the Mass Ave Baptist Church’s food pantry and soup kitchen in Cambridge, MA. Check out the flyer.

This concert is a celebration of Gospel and Jewish Music.  Fabulous choirs raise their voices in song at this festive celebration of diversity, as local Gospel and Jewish choirs come together to make joyful music for an important cause.  Tickets are $20.00/adult, $15.00/student and seniors.  Purchase your tickets online today at   https://www.templeemanuel.com/product/project-manna-concert-tickets/

March 24th. 7:00 pm
385 Ward Street, Newton

Update on Jesse Appell’s Fundraiser

Read on for an update on the result of the fundraiser – Comedy for a Cause with Jesse Appell in February. Donation on the night of the show and tickets sold at Newton North reached $8,684, and online tickets and donation accumulated to $3,600.  The Newton exchange school, Jingshan School in Beijing, has asked us to donate all the funds raised for their students to Wuhan as well. Therefore checks of these funds have been made out to WeStar Corp,  a Weston-based non-profit organization that purchases medical supplies and ships to Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province.

Jesse Appell, Henry Turner, the Newton North principal, along with Emily Donahue, teacher from Peirce Elementary School, and David Minichiello, teacher from Memorial Spaulding Elementary School went to WeStar headquarters last week and packed our supplies for Wuhan. Some Chinese AP class students also participated in this meaningful mission!

The organizers of the event are immensely humbled and touched by the efforts, kindness and generosity that our community has demonstrated and feel very grateful for being part of this collective endeavor for humanity.

Children’s learning, language and development study opportunities

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children between the ages of 8 and 12 years to participate in research studies funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Study 1. This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years. The goal is to improve understanding of learning in children. The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours scheduled on weekdays and weekends) per year for 3 years. During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer. More information can be found at https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning

Study 2. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the learning patterns of children with typical and atypical language development. The study will involve 2 visits to the lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. During the visits, children complete a battery of cognitive and language-based assessments, play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording.  A visit will last about 3 hours. A week after the second lab visit your child will be asked to complete follow up tasks on a home computer or a mobile device. Researchers are looking for children who were late to develop language, and who still receive services for language or learning difficulties. More information can be found at https://rally.partners.org/study/does_your_child_stru

Payment is $60 for each in-person visit to the lab and there is free all-day parking provided at the Navy Yard. Results of your child’s cognitive and language-based assessments are mailed to you. Please email cnglead@mghihp.edu or call 617- 724-7363 if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Isabel Fitzpatrick and The LEAD Study Team

Update from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

As the news and information about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to develop, you may have questions about our schools. We are working closely with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services to monitor this situation and stay up-to-date with guidance, including guidance relative to travelers.

To prevent any potential exposure to our staff and students, we are implementing federal guidance around returning travelers, which is evolving daily. To that end, today we made a decision to require students and staff from Newton North who returned from Italy on Saturday, Feb. 29th, to stay home from school beginning tomorrow, March 2nd, until further notice. These students and staff will return to school once we have been advised that it is appropriate. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and under the direction of the Newton Health and Human Services department.

For your information, the city-wide Emergency Management Team has formed a committee to apply our robust emergency preparedness plans to possible scenarios around this infectious disease. While this specific virus is a new one, managing community spread of disease is not new and our public health professionals are well prepared. We will play an important role on this committee and will address questions about potential issues that may impact the day-to-day function of our schools.

The MA Department of Health shares the following recommendations to maintain good health:

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Stay home if you are sick

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

We will continue to work with our City health partners to provide you with timely, accurate, and useful information.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools