Zambia Donations Needed through June 7th: Can your child bear to part with the 3rd grade-issued
recorder? Any other musical instruments lying around? School supplies, baby up through teen clothes, board
games, frisbees, soccer balls and other sports equipment are all needed. The First Unitarian Society is
helping “Communities Without Borders”, and will deliver these supplies to Zambia. Pick ups can be arranged,
or drop off at the First Unitarian Society in West Newton on Washington Street ( near the police station and
Cinema). Questions: Kim at 617-9647302. For pick-up: [email protected]
Babysitters available now: Newton South seniors Katie and Julie Salerno are available for babysitting and
homework help, now and throughout the summer. After 12 years of playing soccer and basketball, we are
available to help with car pools (we know every practice field in the city!) as well as provide some one-on-one
coaching if desired (we will each play soccer in college). We are also available on school nights for those endof-
year concerts and plays. We are lifeguard and CPR certified. Contact us at 617-965-2991 or
[email protected]
Know a High School Student who wants a job…or maybe an adult like you? Newton Community
Education is hiring. NCE runs after-school classes for elementary and middle schoolers throughout the school
year. We are planning our fall program now. We are looking for teachers for the following subjects: Math
enrichment (games, puzzles, etc), Drama, Lego Robotics, Basic Electronics (small circuit building), crafts, and
something new if you have your own idea. Please contact our children’s program coordinator with your course
ideas and availability for fall: Lisa Rucinski, [email protected]
Meet the Robots! Join the Newton High School LigerBots for an afternoon of science games and activities on
Sunday June 7th from 1-4pm at the Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln Street Newton Highlands. See
science and technology in action. Learn about the FIRST (for recognition of science and technology)
organization’s robotics programs from student from age 6 through High School. Take a turn driving the
LigerBots robot. Build and program Lego Mindstorm Robots. Get information about joining a team or starting a
new team. Join the excitement! For more information, call Mindy Nitkin at 617-332-3808.
Raising your Children in America: Challenges and Hopes, A Free Workshop for Immigrant Parents of
Young Children. Presenter: Loraine Araujo, M.Ed., a native of Brazil, is a multi-lingual therapist for The Parents
Program of the Newton Community Service Center, where she works closely with immigrant families.
Wednesday, June 3rd, 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham St, W. Newton (behind
the W. Newton CVS)Child Care Available.Pre-registration required. Register by emailing [email protected] or
calling 617-969-5906
Critical Choices for Newton, 2009 and Beyond: A Summing Up. The last forum in the League of Women
Voters Newton’s series on the Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) reports, “Critical Choices for Newton, 2009 and
Beyond: A Summing Up”, will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd from 7 to 9 pm at the Druker Auditorium, Newton
Free Library. The moderator will be Alderman Verne Vance, and the panelists will be the members of the CAG.
The forum will include a question and answer session. Doors open at 6:30 pm. For details, directions and lastminute
changes in scheduling, go to www.lwvn.org or email: [email protected] or call 617-964-0014.
Lice Aunties is Newton’s very own new nitpicking business started by a Newton mom. Proven, non-toxic,
process. In-home visits. Visit www.liceaunties.com for more information.
Mark Your Calendars Wed. July 22, 7-9pm: Newton 20/20 is hosting a discussion of “Expanded Learning Time” with speaker Chris Gabrieli. Under the Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative,
participating schools are expanding school time to improve student outcomes in core academic subjects, broaden
enrichment opportunities, and improve instruction by adding more planning and professional development time
for teachers. The vision behind the ELT Initiative is to reshape the American school calendar to provide all
students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for full engagement and participation in the economic
and civic life of our 21st century global society. The event is open to the public. More information at
www.newton2020.org. Check back with the website later for meeting location.
Mayoral Candidate Forum on Education: On Tuesday, June 23 at 7PM, the Newton PTO Council will host a
forum for all four Mayoral candidates to address questions on education. The forum will be held in Room 210 of
the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street – where the School Committee meets. NewTV will record the forum for
later broadcast. Please come to the forum with questions you want addressed. Candidates Ruth Balser, Paul
Coletti, Ken Parker, and Setti Warren will address questions from a live audience as well as questions collected
by member PTOs beforehand.
GREEN TIP – Don’t Throw out that Banana Peel! Composting provides excellent soil amendments for gardens
while reducing environmental and financial costs of garbage disposal. It also provides an excellent learning
opportunity about sustainability and recycling in nature. The City of Newton has two composting programs
available to Newton residents. First, Newton offers free unscreened compost to Newton residents. If you need to
boost your garden soil, check out www.ci.newton.ma.us/DPW/recycling/Composting/sale. Newton also offers
home composters for the low (subsidized) price of $35 – visit www.ci.newton.ma.us/DPW/recycling/Composting/
compost_bin for more information.
These are stressful times for many families. There’s help out there. Through the SS/HS initiative, a Project
INTERFACE Helpline is staffed by a full-time Access Coordinator, who provides resource and referral services for
mental health services for parents and providers. A family member or provider can call this Helpline at
617.332.3666 x411, Monday-Friday.
The Newton Senior Centre Orchestra is looking for additional string players — violinists, violists and celli
players. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday mornings from 8:45 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.., at the Newton Senior
Centre, located at 345 Walnut Street in Newtonville, MA. Interested individuals should e-mail the conductor,
Gwendoline Thornblade, at [email protected]
The Newton Food Pantry is still in need. Donation wish list: cereal, meals-in-a-can, canned fruits & vegetables,
peanut butter, canned tuna and meats, spaghetti sauces, coffee/tea, juice, jam and jelly, soups, toilet paper,
laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, hand soap, toothpaste/tooth brushes and shampoo. Donate at the Waban
Branch Library basement Wednesdays between 9:30 and 11am. To receive, come Wednesdays
1:30-3pm. Volunteers middle school age or older, please call Jackie Colby 617-527-2394.
