Experienced Math Tutor available for Spring and Summer months. Engineer currently exploring new ways to connect to Middle and High School students via Zoom and Video conferencing. Samuel Alpert graduated from Newton North and has about 5 years experience tutoring high school age students.
Please contact him at samuel.alpert@gmail.com for more information and let him know how he can be of help. References available upon request.
Newton COVID-19 Care Fund
The Mayor’s Office just announced the launch of the Newton COVID-19 Care Fund. Its focus is on basic needs and critical services, but we recognize that this crisis is evolving quickly. The priorities of this fund may change as the needs of the Newton community evolve. The funds will help pay for rent, food, utilities, internet connectivity for families with school-aged children, childcare, medications and other basic needs.
HOW CAN I GIVE TO THE NEWTON COVID-19 CARE FUND?
You can give to the fund by clicking the GIVE button at Unitedwaymassbay.org or visiting https://unitedwaymassbay.org/covid-19/newton-covid-19-care-fund/. All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of the proceeds (net credit card fees) will go to individuals seeking assistance. You may also give via your Donor Advised Fund by including “The United Way Newton COVID-19 Care Fund” in your recommendation details. The fund’s tax ID number is 04-2382233.
You can also send a check to United Way of Massachusetts Bay, PO Box 51381, Boston, MA 02205-1381. Please include “Newton Covid-19 Care Fund” in the memo of your check.
All donations will be collected by United Way and distributed by an established Newton nonprofit organization with a track record of administering assistance funds. These funds will pay for rent, food, utilities, internet connectivity for families with school-aged children, childcare, medications and other basic needs. City of Newton First Responders who incur new childcare expenses or other expenses as a result of the crisis will also be eligible.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I NEED ASSISTANCE?
The Newton COVID-19 Care Fund is a coalition of Newton-based care providers coming together to serve those who are in need in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. In the coming days, visit the United Way web page for more detailed information on fund eligibility requirements and information about how to submit your application. Until next week, if you need immediate help, please contact United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline which will provide immediate guidance.
Dear Friends,
This update is for the 3/16/2020 and 3/19/2020 Newton School Committee meetings. We have combined these two meetings into one newsletter as they were both regarding the proposed 2020-2021 Annual Budget.
Overview:
Instructional Areas:
The Newton Early Childhood Program (NECP), Newton’s public preschool, is hosting its largest school/PTO fundraiser of the year starting March 26th. They won’t let COVID-19 stop their efforts.
Supporting NECP helps to support your own school’s future students. Why? Because NECP is the only school within NPS whose children will grow up to become the students of all 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools in Newton.
So get ready to bid for great deals on restaurants, summer camps, birthday parties, gym memberships, and more! Over 200 amazing items from across Newton and the Boston area. Auction proceeds will fund education enrichment programs, community-building events, and classroom materials for our city’s youngest learners.
Visit https://32auctions.com/necp
Bidding will end April 4th at 9pm. Good luck!
ActiveMinds Tutoring is adaptable and ready to assist your transition. Their tutoring team is equipped with the resources to accommodate the limitations of online schooling and the needs of your child during this difficult time. Through tutoring, mentorship, and coaching, they are prepared to offer meaningful learning experiences through online support.
Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about their experienced tutors. Call 617-227-2225, email info@activemindstutoring.com, or visit http://www.activemindstutoring.com/testimonials.html
Dear Friends,
In an effort to balance our obligation to hold public meetings with the equally imperative duty to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, the School Committee has implemented new Public Comment procedures with guidance from the Health and Human Services Department. Normally, the month of March is a busy time during which the Committee reviews, vigorously examines and welcomes numerous Public Comments regarding next year’s budget. Given yesterday’s decision to close schools, the risk of community spread posed by COVID-19 and the need to protect our most vulnerable residents, we simply cannot observe the normal process.
We hope that you understand and assist us to mitigate the risk as we refrain from large gatherings and maintain social distancing. This is not possible in the Ed Center’s School Committee chamber, which is small and easily overcrowded. Therefore, we urge members of the public not to attend in person and instead opt to watch the live broadcast on NewTV. For meetings with scheduled Public Comment, we ask members of the public to submit written Public Comment by 6:00 PM. Questions will be collated and read aloud during the Committee’s live broadcast at 7:00 PM on NewTV. Each Public Comment is limited to three minutes and must include your name and address. Please submit Public Comments to schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us.
Upcoming Meetings:
We hope you found this guide useful. You can access all SC meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, we offer “Virtual Office Hours” once a month using Facebook Live to provide the community with an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts with members of the School Committee. Videos of past “Virtual Office Hours” are archived on the district Facebook page.
As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.
Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee
The Newton South Help Light the Way Auction will provide funds for the installation of permanent lights at Winkler Stadium. Help light the way to school spirit and community spirit at South. Our community and merchants have donated over 60 items, so please click below to register online and start bidding today at https://e.givesmart.com/events/eQe/
The Light the Way Auction is open online now through March 28th at 11:59 pm.
The current goal is to raise $50,000 for the Light the Way Fundraiser. Many thanks to our community and merchants for their continued support of the Help Light The Way fundraising campaign! Please reach out directly to Bella Gelman and Penelope Nam-Stephen if you have specific questions.
Stay safe and healthy….and Bid for the Lights! GO SOUTH, GO LIONS, GO NEWTON!
The Zervas online auction is back this year for one week only! There are hundreds of FABULOUS items available – from summer camps to restaurants, gyms, spas and more.
Bidding ends at 9:00 pm on March 15th, so don’t miss out!
Click here 32auctions.com/zervas to check it out.
March 12, 2020
Dear NPS Families,
For the past two weeks, we have been working closely with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the community spread of COVID-19. We have received many emails from concerned families and understand that this is a stressful and unsettling time.
Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our region, coupled with new guidance from the Governor, the state, infectious disease experts, and our local health partners, we have made the difficult decision to close the Newton Public Schools beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13. There will be no school tomorrow, next week and possibly for a longer period.
The decision to close schools is an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. It will only be effective if the community also takes steps to practice self-isolation, monitor for any symptoms, and avoid large gatherings. We need all community members to do their part or the school closure will not be successful in limiting the spread of the virus.
We know the cancellation of school, its associated activities, and events that use our school buildings is disappointing and extremely disruptive to our daily lives. However, we believe we must do so for the health and well-being of our community.
We expect to provide an update to you next week as we further assess the situation. We also know you will have questions regarding learning opportunities for your children while school is closed and we will have more information on this subject late next week.
This is a unique public health situation that is rapidly changing. Our hope is that if we all work together, we can reduce the spread of this virus, protect residents, especially those most vulnerable, and resume normal activities as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools
March 11, 2020
Dear NPS Community,
In an effort to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all evening and community events in our facilities effective immediately and until further notice. All field trips will also be cancelled immediately. We have made this decision in consultation with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services. This decision is consistent with the state’s latest guidance for meetings and events which was announced yesterday. The City of Newton is also cancelling large public gatherings and many programs.
I know our decision to restrict access to our facilities will raise lots of questions. Here are some examples of events that will be cancelled beginning tonight:
We will continue to offer before school and after school care at our elementary schools, as well as after school programs and classes run by Newton Community Education. After school activities at the secondary level will continue including athletics, rehearsals, and clubs, although we will not have outside spectators at indoor events. The Newton School Committee meetings will take place as scheduled.
In addition, the use of school buildings by non-school groups will be discontinued until further notice. We know this has a real impact on our residents and community organizations who provide valuable programs and activities.
We are fully aware that these decisions have significant ramifications and are difficult for our students, staff, families and community members. The cancellation of many meaningful activities will be a great disappointment to those who have worked very hard. However, we believe these steps are necessary given the guidance from the state and the current status of the COVID-19 situation. We want to do our part to limit the spread of the virus and to reduce the risk of infection for our community.
I recognize that the information in this message will raise a lot of questions regarding specific events and activities. We are in the process of developing an FAQ which should answer many of your questions.
Thank you for your understanding and support during this rapidly changing and unsettling time.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools