Category Archives: Education / Enrichment

Help Wanted

Posted on May 15, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

Newton Community Education would like to expand their Kids & Teens program. To do that they need some help. They are looking for an elementary school parent available to work part-time (maybe as few as five hours a week or so) to help plan the Fall program. You would be involved in brainstorming ideas for new programs and recruiting teachers to work for NCE. The ideal candidate for this position is an elementary school parent who has been involved in the PTO and has some awareness of other Kids program offerings around Newton. If you’re interested, please email a cover letter and resume to: lisa_rucinski@newton.k12.ma.us.

Meet the Robots

Posted on May 15, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment, Events

Please join the Newton LigerBots for their annual spring event, Meet the Robots. The event will feature robots from this year’s FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League Competitions. There will also be an underwater robot from the MIT Sea Perch Competition and iRobot will be there with some robots of their own. In addition, there will be a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering) oriented activities with prizes. All ages are welcome to attend so come on down with the whole family and have some fun learning with the Newton Ligerbots!

Possibilities in Conversation…

Posted on May 15, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

Talented Artist and Newton Parent, Vani Sayeed, has an opening of her art exhibit at the Newton Free Library on June 6th from 7:30-8:00pm. She donates a portion of the proceeds of the sale of her art to Newton Serves.The reception is free of charge, and she would like to invite the community to join her.

Monotypes by VaniChandra Sayeed,  June 2nd-28th, 2012

Newton Free Library
330 Homer Street
Newton,MA 02459
617-796-1306
Opening Reception: June 6th, 7-8:30pm
www.newtonfreelibrary.net

Third Annual NewtonPAC Special Educator Awards

Posted on May 7, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment, Events

Once again, NewtonPAC will be honoring a few of the many members of NPS staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to have truly made a difference in the lives of Newton children with special needs. Do you have someone you’d like to recognize? Send your nominations to PACawards2012@gmail.com by May 15th.

Please read the following important information regarding nominations! Nominations MUST include:

1) Your name (will not be made public – nominator’s names are known only to award recipients).

2) Nominee’s home school and e-mail address. If s/he is a district-wide employee, please designate as such and note which school your child attends.

3) A SHORT paragraph on why you believe s/he should be recognized (please help by keeping it short!) .

Please note that the awards are for the CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR ONLY.

All nominees will be recognized. Nominees can be any member of NPS staff.  They do NOT have to be special education dedicated if they made a difference to a child receiving special education services.

There is no official limit to the number of staff members nominated per family, but please use your discretion. The awards are meant to recognize truly outstanding efforts.

Send your nominations directly to Eileen at PACawards2012@gmail.com by May 15th.  The awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at 7:00 pm at Newton North Lasker Theatre, 457 Walnut St and will be followed by a casual reception.

Newton South wants all your gently used books!

Posted on May 1, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

The 4th Annual Newton South High School Used Book Sale will be held again this year from May 22nd – 24th. If you are doing a little spring cleaning over vacation (or after), please consider donating your gently used books to the NSHS Book Sale. Proceeds will benefit literacy initiatives in the NSHS English Department.

Drop Off hours are: Monday and Thursday mornings, April 23rd thru May 17th from 7:15 – 8:15 am and 2:30 – 3:30 pm at the POD in NSHS parking lot (next to Goldrick House). For more information about book drop off, please contact Suzanne Freudberg at suzannefreudberg@gmail.com

Book Sale is May 22nd – 24th
Wheeler Commons at Newton South

Free after school media class for 4th and 5th graders

Posted on April 25, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

After School Video Program brought to you by NewTV
Four sessions offered Thursdays from 3:00-4:30pm, starting the week of May 3rd, ending May 24th. Open to 4th and 5th Graders.

Free for all students. Curriculum includes learning to use a video camera, proper shot composition and names, storyboarding, PSA making, and Music Video exercise. All students will receive a DVD of their projects and will be featured on NewTV’s Education Channel. This program will be held at the Zervas Elementary School and parents must pick up their child directly from the designated classroom, unless otherwise specified. Sign up now because enrollment is limited.

To sign up or ask questions, please email Melinda Garfield- Melindag@newtv.org

Openings at Temple Shalom Nursery School

Posted on April 10, 2012 by zervaspto in Advertisements, Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

Temple Shalom Nursery School in West Newton believes in partnering with parents in their child’s education experience. They seamlessly integrate Secular and Judaic curriculum,  are committed to connecting children with Nature, and have developed a nutritious snacks menu. They offer flexible longer hours through an on-site babysitting option from 2:30pm to 5:00 pm as needed.

For school year 2012-13, there are a few openings in the 2 day toddler classroom, 3 and 4 year old class, and one opening in our Trans-k class. For more information and to schedule a visit call or email Director Johanna Perlin jperlin@templeshalom.org , 617-969-5521.

The Sunday School for Jewish Studies Open Enrollment

Posted on April 10, 2012 by zervaspto in Advertisements, Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

The Sunday School for Jewish Studies is now accepting registrations for grades K-7 for the 2012-2013 school year.The Sunday School is an independent school offering a once-a-week program for children in the greater Boston area for over 40 years. Located at the Oak Hill Middle School in Newton,our school is committed to providing a Jewish education that fosters a strong sense of Jewish identity for children and families with diverse traditions of Jewish observance. Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is available but not required, and students may enter in any grade. Interfaith and nontraditional families are welcome. For information, please visit the website at www.sundayschoolforjewishstudies.org   or call 617-264-8855.

Inspired Passages Seminar Circle beginning soon!

Posted on April 1, 2012 by zervaspto in Advertisements, Community Notes, Education / Enrichment

Do you ever wonder what it looks like and feels like to live your “best life?”  Would you, or someone you know, benefit from a supportive seminar that offers time and space to think about how to create more fulfillment, connection, joy and vitality in life?  If you answered, “yes” to either of the above, please consider joining me for a 6-session, supportive, Inspired Passages Seminar Circle, beginning Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 pm.

Contact Zervas Parent: kerisaundersobrien@gmail.com, if interested in learning more.

Deciphering Learning Disabilities and Helping Your Student Succeed

Posted on April 1, 2012 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Education / Enrichment, Events

Has your student been diagnosed with a learning disability or are you wondering whether he or she has a learning disability? When we think of Special Education, we often think of students with visible disabilities. Yet specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, perceptual disabilities, slow processing speed, and attention issues account for fifty percent of the students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Please join the Newton North and Newton South PTSOs, The Newton Partnership, the Newton North and Newton South Special Education Departments, and the Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education for an exciting and informative discussion of learning disabilities with Dr. Ellen Braaten, director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Braaten will discuss the following:

- Getting an accurate diagnosis for your child
- The parent’s role in supporting a student with learning disabilities
- Strategies for success in high school
- Teaching the student to advocate for himself/herself
- Techniques for managing home life
- Preparing students for life beyond high school with an eye toward independent living

The evening will include time for questions and answers.

Tuesday, April 10th, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Film Lecture Hall, Newton North High School