Category Archives: Events

Bus Driver/Crossing Guard Appreciation

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , , |

Interested in thanking our crossing guards, bus drivers, and van drivers? Newton Safe Routes to School normally hosts Bus Driver/Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in June each year to thank these important community safety helpers.

This year instead appreciation will be in the form of a photo collage from grateful families all across Newton. If you’d like to participate, make a sign thanking them, hold it up, snap a pic, and email it to newtonsaferoutes@gmail.com by Friday, June 5th. Adults and kids alike are welcome to make signs! Please note that the photo will be shared.

May is National Bike Month. For tips on bike sizing, the ABC’s and helmet fit, visit www.newtonsaferoutes.org.

Greetings from Newton Free Library!

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , , |

The Newton Free Library staff have cooked up another exciting week of virtual offerings to help you stay connected and engaged from the comfort of your home.

Calling all Makers and Crafters! Librarians have created an impressive Virtual Makerspace Guide. The guide is broken into sections by age and skill level to get you creating with tools you have at home. The Low Tech section focuses on drawing and fiber arts, the Medium Tech area highlights cooking, gardening, and sewing, and if you’re a High-Tech maker, there are sections on 3-D printing, robotics, and web design. Kids will love the painting, weaving, and puppet projects and tweens and teen audiences can tackle creating personalized Zoom backgrounds, temporary tattoos, and sewing projects.

Virtual Trivia Night. Join on May 14th at 7:00 pm to test your knowledge of books that were made into movies. Library staff will challenge players with questions from a variety of categories on Zoom. One registration per team; the Zoom link will be sent out a few hours before the event.

NEW Adult Events:
Beginner Drawing Studio on May 12th at 6:30 pm. This workshop will help you understand how your brain interprets the world and give you the tools to start drawing fearlessly! Learn new skills and join a community of creative practice. All levels welcome.

Saddle Stitching Booklets: Introduction to Basic Bookbinding on May 13th at 2:00 pm. Learn basic bookbinding as you make simple folded booklets using the saddle stitch with supplies you are likely to have around the house. You’ll see an informational video with step-by-step instructions and be available for questions and support.

Virtual Knitting Circle on May 13th at 6:30 pm. Are you missing your regular knitting circle? Or are you looking for folks to craft with for chat and advice? If so, come join the virtual knitting circle! Whether you’re just starting out, an advanced fiber artist, or somewhere in between, grab your project and come chat.

Generation Zapped Q&A on May 13th at 10:00 am. Learn more about how wireless devices may impact your health by emitting radiation. Watch the movie Generation Zapped anytime before the program on the Library’s Kanopy service, then join the group for a Q&A with Cecelia (Cece) Doucette, Technology Safety Educator and Dr. Judy Tsafrir, a Newton-based holistic adult and child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Registrants will receive an email with the zoom link the day of the event.

Genealogy Resources on May 14th at 11:00 am. Join a brief overview of some online genealogy resources.

Introduction to Citizen Science on May 14th at 12:00 pm. Citizen Science is real science investigation conducted by you the average Citizen! From experiments on the International Space Station to exploring the inhabitants of tide pools there are investigations that will appeal to all ages. Join this workshop to discover how you can become a scientist too! You don’t need a background in science—just interest and enthusiasm!

Don’t Take the Bait – Finding Fact Based News on May 15th at 10:00 am. Learn new strategies to help you sift through what is exaggerated, misleading or completely false to find more accurate information and become better consumers of digital news during coronavirus and in general.

Positive/Negative Space: Drawing for Beginners on May 15th at 2:00 pm. Drawing is a skill anyone can learn. Explore how negative and positive spaces can help shape your drawing skills. Discover some of the tricks and methods taught in art school. All you need is a pencil and paper.

NEW Tween/Teen Events :
Magic the Gathering on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Interested in finding a virtual meet up to play Magic: The Gathering after school? Come to Zoom! Moderated by a local Newton South student, please download Magic the Gathering Arena.

Virtual Teen Area on Saturdays at 3:00 pm the Teen Area is going virtual! Use this time to be together at home, ask questions, play games, complete challenges, and craft! This is a librarian-moderated Zoom program hosted for tweens and teens in grades 5-12.

NEW Children’s Events:
Pajama Storytime on May 11th at 7:00 pm. Put on your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal friend to pajama storytime on Zoom! For kids ages 4 and older.

Kids Craft! on Tuesday afternoons, check the Kids Facebook Page for a new DIY craft video for kids age 5-8. The current craft video is creating a nature diary, and on May 12th, they’ll release a video to show you how you can make a cool paper hat!

Kids Poetry Club Do you love discovering new poems? Would you like to listen to a librarian or author reading their favorite poems aloud? Every Thursday you’ll receive the Kids Poetry Club email featuring video links, writing prompts, and reading suggestions for budding young poets. This week we are celebrating the poems from the book Spectacular Science edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. For kids ages 6-9.

Facebook Challenges for Kids. Each Wednesday and Friday, discover a new activity challenge on the Kids Facebook Page! This Wednesday’s Lego Challenge is Tallest Tower! Friday’s Art Challenge is Simply Silly Collage! Families are encouraged to send a picture of their child’s creation to newtonkids@newtonfreelibrary.net to be shared on the library’s social media. For kids ages 5-8.

Virtual Morning Storytimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am. Zoom in for online stories, songs and rhymes for kids 4 and younger.

Wait there’s more! Don’t miss the continuing programming:

  • Tech Time appointments: Need help with your device or to borrow ebooks from the library? Book a session to have a librarian help you over the phone. Appointments available Monday-Friday.
  • Tele-Librarian: You’ve got questions? Sign up for an appointment for a librarian to assist you with a research-related question.
  • Star Wars Virtual Escape Room available anytime. BB-8’s missing! Try to find him before Kylo Ren gets to him and is able to download the map to find out where Luke Skywalker is! May the force be with you. (For all ages)
  • Teen Zoom Poetry Mondays at 7:00 pm. (For grades 7-12).
  • Virtual Jackbox Party Games Tuesdays at 4:00 pm. (For grades 5-12).
  • Virtual Queer Netflix Party Fridays at 4:30 pm. (For grades 7-12).
  • Stack ‘Em Up Youth Spring Reading Challenge. You can earn badges by logging the books you are reading and participate in fun activities through June 30th. For all ages.
  • Call Dial-a-Story line at 617-796-1415 to listen to a new story each day read by one of the Children’s Librarians.
  • Stay tuned for even more great remote offerings from your Library!

Parenting in the Time of Corona; How parents can care for the social-emotional needs of their children

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for |

SEL4Newton and Newton Public Schools will be holding an hour-long Zoom Webinar  specifically for Elementary School Parents. The panel will address “Parenting in the Time of Corona; How parents can care for the social-emotional needs of their children now and in the coming months”.

A panel of Newton experts will be discussing social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies for parents in this unusual time and with opportunities for you to express your challenges.

To register, click on https://actionnetwork.org/events/sel4newton-webinar-2020-05?source=flyer&

Zoom virtual meeting
May 27th, 7 :00 pm

Teacher Appreciation Week

Posted on May 2, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Events, Other for , , |

Next week we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week! Please join us to say thank you to all NPS teachers by submitting a thank you card, photo or video. Use this form to submit your creation and look for it on our social media channels next week!
https://forms.gle/65Wao2kNJHcShX6F7

Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Posted on May 2, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events for , , |

In the last two weeks Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors has focused on supporting local organizations that serve some of our most vulnerable community members. Neighbors gathered food and collected thousands of dollars for Coleman House, a elderly housing facility in Newton that lost much of their food supply due to a power failure after the storm on the 13th. Neighbors also donated enough funds to the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry in Newton Corner to buy food supplies the next two months, and helped deliver food from Newton Food Pantry and Centre St Food Pantry to neighbors in need. Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed and volunteered for these efforts and others!!

As you can imagine, the need does not end here – in our conversations with partners who work closely with community members deeply affected by COVID-19, we are hearing about the many ways in which families are profoundly struggling during this time. We believe that our community extends beyond the Newton city limits and that it is critical to consider how we can support our neighbors both within and outside of Newton. Many of you have reached out asking for ways to help and we have organized a large, 4-part donation drive this week which will benefit several organizations and communities that are heavily burdened by this crisis. You can contribute any time between now and May 2nd. The houses gathering items for the drives below are all in Newton Centre.

How you can help

Porch Drive #1: Donate non-perishable food for families in Chelsea and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Boston

There continues to be an urgent and growing need for food relief in Chelsea, with the number of families lining up for food increasing greatly as each week goes on. The Salvation Army Chelsea would appreciate NON-PERISHABLE FOOD if you are able to contribute. Items need to be donated by mid-day Tuesday for a Wednesday delivery to the Salvation Army. Any items collected after Tuesday will be donated to SURJ Boston for distribution to families in Boston who also continue to experience great need.

Drop off non-perishable food at 97 Lake Ave in Newton Centre (between Crystal and Laurel)

Porch Drive #2: Donate diapers and wipes

There are many families with young children who need diapers and wipes. Donations will be provided to families in the Early Childhood program at Jewish Family & Children’s Service in Waltham, and to families in Newton.

Drop off diapers and wipes at 15 Norwood Ave 1R in Newton Centre (there is a horse statue on side lawn). Drop off by the garage behind the house.

Porch Drive #3: Donate fabric, sheets, and t-shirts

There continues to be a tremendous need for cloth masks at healthcare facilities, housing facilities, and community agencies, as well as other items such as caps. We are asking for donations of 100% cotton fabric, quilting fabric, sheets, and old T-shirts. No flannel, upholstery, or linen please. All donations will be provided to the MetroWest sewing group which will donate what they make to organizations throughout the region.

Drop off fabric, sheets, and T-shirts at 960 Beacon St in Newton Centre

Don’t have items to donate or can’t make it to Newton Centre to drop off? Consider donating towards gift cards for immigrant and undocumented families

Undocumented families are experiencing many of the hardships facing other families but are also ineligible for many of the funds and supports available due to language and information barriers, legal status, and/or isolation. We would like to raise funds for 40 families in this position from East Boston, Revere, Chelsea, and Lynn. This project is in collaboration with Jessica Harper Santos, Lecturer at Brandeis University and Christian Samame who has been doing community work with youth, families, and elders in Latino neighborhoods around Boston for many years. We are aiming to gather funds to buy a gift card of $50 per family. You can Venmo contributions to Jessica’s account: Jessica-Harper-Santos. All contributions will go towards purchasing gift cards which will be provided directly to families.

Thank you for anything you are able to contribute. Your kindness and generosity during this difficult time is so appreciated.

Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors connects community members to support one another and share resources for people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton. Want to stay involved?

Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors
newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com

Girls Connecting, Mentorship Program

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , |

Alix de Saint-Aignan, a junior at Newton North, is the Founder of Girls Connecting. The concept is to connect 4th-8th grade mentees with high school mentors (from 10th grade to college) for an hour a week of video chat for support, help with schoolwork, game playing, etc.  Check out the website www.girlsconnecting.com.

She has successfully recruited enough high school-age volunteers to accommodate ~100 mentees. In such an isolating time, Girls Connecting offers mentors and mentees an additional outlet and source of connection to the community.

Please e-mail girlsconnectinginfo@gmail.com or text 617-997-8761 with any questions or to sign up.

Middle School After School Program Enrolling for the fall

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Advertisements, Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events for , |

The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children, is accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. They provide terrific programming for children in the Newton middle schools at the Newton Highlands location in Brigham House and the Hyde Gym. Transportation is arranged daily. To learn more about the program or attend any of several Zoom Open Houses please contact Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit www.highlandsafter-schoolprogram.org.

#NewtonTogether has launched!

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, From PTO Council, Other for , , |

Let’s stay connected as a community in the face of COVID-19! On April 20th, Patriots’ Day/Marathon Monday, we invite all Newtonians to make handmade #NewtonTogether signs and display them in your windows. Get creative–make paper signs, use sidewalk chalk, whatever inspires you–and share the incredible joy, strength, and resiliency of Newton. Just because we can’t gather for the Marathon this year, doesn’t mean we can’t connect! Tag your creations in the Facebook event or on social media with #NewtonTogether. For more information, click HERE.

Some Newton villages are also choosing to stand outside at noon on April 20th to clap/bang pots in recognition and gratitude for all the hometown heroes (medical personnel, pharmacists, grocery workers, teachers, etc.) who are working the front lines to keep us all safe. Feel free to recognize your favorite hometown hero in your #NewtonTogether social media posts.

The idea came to the Mayor’s Office from Newton resident Rakashi Chand:

Let us bring our community together in a shared message of perseverance and pride. Let us inspire one another as we are and always have been an unwavering city, that has stood tall and united in the face of adversity and overcome again and again, every challenge, hardship, tragedy and crisis. We will persevere, we will fight in every way we can, we will unite and we will see the dawning of a brave new day. This epidemic will make each day harder than the last, but we will persevere, we will face the challenges that present themselves, because we are strong.

Let’s find a way to inspire our citizens, and remind them that we, like our forefathers and foremothers, will overcome this, and find ways to raise each other up with hope.

In addition, for those of you who are big fans of the Boston Marathon, the Newton, Wellesley and Natick Historical Societies will be showing vintage photos of the Boston Marathon on their websites on April 20th. You are welcome to share your marathon thoughts, memories, and photos of your favorite site on the route using #VirtualMarathon.

Thanks so much for being a part of #NewtonTogether on April 20th! Click here for the flyer with information.

Food for Newton Families

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , , |

Food for Families: You can find the free bags of non-perishable food at new locations:

  • Fire Station 2: 1750 Commonwealth Ave., Auburndale
  • Fire Station 4: 195 Crafts St., Nonantum
  • Fire Station 7: 144 Elliot St., Newton
  • Fire Station 10: 755 Dedham St. Newton
  • American Legion Nonantum Post 440: 295 California St., Newton

These food supplies are for families experiencing hardship to have extra food for the children in their homes. Please remember to maintain proper social distancing when picking up a bag (allow a person who is in the POD to exit before entering).

Please limit 2 bags per family to allow for more families to access bags. For more information on other resources for families related to COVID-19 please visit the website at www.newtonma.gov/socialservices

Bidding for the NECP Online Auction is ALMOST OVER!

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Newton PTO Council in Advertisements, Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , , |

First off, THANK YOU for everyone who has supported the auction so far! The NECP is thankful to our Newton community and the support it has shown for our city’s youngest learners.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! The auction ends this coming weekend – April 4th at 9:00 pm. So don’t wait until the last minute (unless that’s part of your strategy)!

Visit https://32auctions.com/necp

Don’t miss out on the hundreds of prizes still available, including spas, gyms, summer camps, restaurants, and so much more. Thank you again for your strong showing of support, and good luck!