Category Archives: Elementary Schools

Parenting Workshops this December – Start the new year feeling clear, confident, and connected with your family! 

Posted on December 4, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, Health and Social Emotional Learning, High Schools, Middle Schools, Upcoming Events

Parent Coach Amy Behrens, M.Ed. is offering two unique mindful parenting workshops in December for parents who want to bring more joy and confidence to their parenting as we head into the holiday season and new year.  Parents of children of all ages are welcome. 

Family Culture and Winter Kickoff Online Retreat – Friday, Dec. 9th 9am-1pm OR Saturday, Dec. 10th 10am-2pm – choose the day that works best for you. 

We are entering the winter holiday season, and holidays tend to illuminate or exacerbate ingrained family patterns. So, NOW is a great time to pause and be intentional about shifting patterns to the “family culture” you desire.

Through individual and group reflection, direct teaching, and a transformational guided meditation – you will:

  • Develop vision and tools for your family
  • Get inspiration to make winter school vacation fun and enjoyable
  • Understand of the “C’s of family culture” 
  • Experience warm camaraderie with a group of like-minded parents
  • Receive expert tips from a parent coach with years of experience working with families
  • Create action steps you can start using right away.

Parenting Mantras Online Workshop – Friday, Dec. 16th 11am-12:30pm

Learn how to design your own personal parenting “mantras” – words and phrases that help you feel more calm, centered, and effective as a parent when dealing with difficult situations with your kids. Instead of yelling and then feeling bad, you can learn a new way to communicate with power and wisdom that can feel almost magical. 

This session will include: 

  • A Guided Reflection to give you insights that bring clarity
  • The Create-Your-Own-Mantra Tool to transform unpleasant patterns
  • Shared wisdom of a group of like-minded parents
  • Real-time experiences with how mantras work
  • Relief and peace of mind that your parenting experiences will feel much better

Learn more about Amy and her parent coaching approach HERE. Read her blogs HERE.

A Visit to the Allen Homestead for Children and Families

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Elementary Schools, Events, Middle Schools, Upcoming Events

This visit invites children and their families to travel 150 years back in time to imagine what it would have been like to live and learn at the Allen home and this historic school. 

This historic house was once the home of Nathaniel Allen, founder of The West Newton English and Classical School. Nathaniel Allen was a progressive educator who provided equal opportunities for girls and boys in racially mixed classrooms even before the Civil War. His curriculum was innovative, and students from all over the world came to attend his school.

Guests will explore the parlor, a classroom, and even the bowling alley as we learn about the family, the students, the school, and the unique curriculum. Our visit will finish in the barn, where you will have the opportunity to try some of the games and activities that children enjoyed at this time.  

We hope you can join us to learn about the history of this newly renovated Newton treasure. Each visit will run approximately one hour. Free event, 3rd grade and up, registration required. 

Dates: Sunday, December 11 3:00-4:00 PM

Thursday, December 15  4:00-5:00 PM

Sunday, January 22  3:00-4:00 PM

Thursday, January 26  4:00-5:00 PM Please register here

Waban Lights & Family Sing-Along

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, Events, High Schools, Middle Schools, Other, Upcoming Events

Date: Sunday, December 4

Time: 4:45pm

Location: Waban Library Center (1608 Beacon St)

‘Tis the season for celebrating with neighbors. The holiday season is nearly here and what better way to kick it off than with the Waban Improvement Society’s annual Waban Lights & Family Sing-Along event.   

We look forward to lighting up our beloved Waban Library Center building and surrounding grounds and turning the entire area into a wonderland of light to enjoy throughout the winter. Before we flip the switch to light up the WLC, please join us for hot chocolate, sweet treats and a festive community sing-along featuring songs celebrating the winter holidays.

Newton Girls Softball Spring Sign-Up

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, Sports

Registration for Spring Rec 2023 Softball is open! Sign up your player(s) in the appropriate grade level division HERE. Sign up now and check it off your to-do list! For any questions, please contact info@newtongirlssoftball.org 

Evening Sports Clinics at Williams Elementary

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, Sports

Want your children to stay active during the cold late Fall/Winter? Great Coaches from Be Ahead of the Game will teach them new skills and keep them moving while having tons of fun. You don’t have to be a Williams student so spread the word!!

Registration, information and waiver: https://docs.google.com/…/121SoMLsTMybingpCFDht…/edit…

Sign up for Superintendent Search Focus Groups

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, High Schools, Middle Schools, Newton Public Schools
The Newton Public Schools Superintendent Search Committee is conducting a series of in-person and virtual focus groups designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Participants will also be asked for input on what they consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district’s next superintendent. There are several dates and times available from November 17th – 20th. If it is a virtual group, you will receive a link via email prior to the focus group. All in-person focus groups will take place at 100 Walnut St., Newton.To sign up for a focus group, please use this link to a Sign Up Genius form (you do not need to create an account to sign up:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EACA62EA2F9C07-npssuperintendent*Please note that names will not display on the Sign Up Genius form to maintain confidentiality prior to the group meeting.If you are unable to attend the focus groups, you may provide feedback through the online survey at: https://survey2.ecragroup.com/index.php/291239?lang=en

Robotics Tournament and STEAM Expo

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Elementary Schools, Events, High Schools, Middle Schools

The LigerBots, Newton’s award-winning high school robotics team, will be hosting a FLL Robotics tournament and a STEAM Expo on Saturday, November 19th, from 12-5pm at Newton North High School. Watch middle school teams who built and programmed robots out of Legos to compete in the FIRST Lego League Competition (FLL) go head to head at the tournament. Also come to the free STEAM Expo event open to the public, to support North and South Clubs who have come to help LigerBots spread STEAM, do a variety of super cool STEAM activities and demonstrations, interact with other High School Robotics teams from across the state, and visit local companies/organizations like the Massachusetts National Guard.

Masks are required except for designated eating locations and admission is free! We hope you can stop by!

Superintendent Search Survey

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, High Schools, Middle Schools, Newton Public Schools
Dear NPS Families,
The superintendent search has entered its “engagement” phase in which the search committee is soliciting feedback and input from the Newton community to help identify and select the next superintendent for our district. Your feedback will assist the School Committee in understanding your perspective as candidates are recruited, screened, and interviewed for the position.The survey linked below is designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Based upon these perceptions, you will also be asked for input on what you consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district’s next superintendent. Newton Superintendent Search SurveyThe survey will be open from November 7 – 21, 2022.Please also watch your email for upcoming opportunities to provide feedback via in-person and virtual focus groups. As always, detailed information can be found on the search committee webpage on the district website.

Students performing with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s opening concert on November 20

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Elementary Schools, High Schools, Middle Schools, Upcoming Events

Tickets are just $10 each with code FRIENDS! 

Support students at Newton South who are performing in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s opening concert on Sunday, November 20, at 3 PM at Symphony Hall in Boston. Maestro Benjamin Zander conducts Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben (The Hero’s Life) and Beethoven’s most famous symphony, No. 5.

Join us in person or access the live stream to watch from the comfort of your own home. Tickets and info available here: https://www.bostonphil.org/concerts/2022-2023/bpyo1-strauss-beethoven

Use promotional code FRIENDS to receive the $10 tickets (available in sections B and C). Please redeem by Friday, November 18 at 12:00 (noon). 

Newton Neighbors Gift Card Drive for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Elementary Schools, Gift Card Drive, High Schools, Middle Schools

As we approach the holiday season, Newton Neighbors is looking to support our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Last year, through the support of our community, Newton Neighbors provided 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton, and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards! With increasing food costs, the goal is to give out $75 gift cards this holiday season through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton. The Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive will run from November 1 – 19.