Connecting Matters!
Here in Newton, many kids are achieving great things: growing up healthy and strong, connecting with each other and with their families, schools and our great city. But many others are struggling, worried, stressed, sad, lonely and anxious. In fact, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 18 percent of Newton high school students reported being depressed in the past 12 months. These feelings can lead to behaviors that threaten their health, their well-being and their future. Research shows that positive school, home and community attachments can dramatically reduce these risk behaviors. That’s why more than 20 community- and faith-based organizations in Newton, Needham, and Wellesley—including the Newton Partnership and Newton PTO Council—are collaborating on Growing Up Healthy, an effort to put our kids’ emotional well-being on the front burner. The initiative encourages adults in our communities to connect with kids—through both formal and informal means—to have a positive impact on their lives. On the baseball field, on the street, in the classroom, at home…listen and be supportive. Make an effort to connect if you see a child looking lost, alone or upset. Step in if a child is being bullied. The Newton Partnership offers many opportunities for adults to connect with kids on a more formal basis, through mentoring and volunteering. For information on the Newton Partnership’s mentoring program contact 617-544-PAIR or [email protected]. For information on other volunteer opportunities with children and teens, contact 617-559-9060 or [email protected]. Watch your mailbox for more information.
The Newton Partnership is excited to present Dr. Edward Hallowell, a highly internationally recognized clinical psychiatrist and author who specializes in pertinent family and health issues. Dr. Hallowell, known for his approachable style and his uncanny understanding of human nature, has been featured on Oprah, 20/20, 60 Minutes, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review. Join us for a free parenting workshop entitled The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from 7:00- 8:30 P.M., Newton South Auditorium, 140 Brandeis Road, 02459. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. In the presentation, Dr. Hallowell will discuss a five-step plan for promoting successful learning and lifelong joy that all of those parenting children ages K-12 can use to ensure a lifetime of happiness. Based on current research and his own experience as a father, teacher and child psychiatrist, Dr. Hallowell will outline how one step leads to the next and how the cycle is self-perpetuated. This talk will point out what really matters in childhood, and what does not, while offering practical pointers on how to make the most of the most precious years of life. Want a complete flier of the event? click here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/newtonpartnership/documents/EDWARDHALLOWELL2011.pdf
Events
Need a Friday night out? Well then come see the film, “Race to Nowhere” Not in theaters, not at Redbox, not sold on TV, but we have it! The Burr School PTO will be hosting a showing of the film, Race to Nowhere on Friday, April 8th, 7pm at Newton North High School Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 (plus $1.54 service charge) and will be sold online ONLY! http://www.racetonowhere.com/state-screenings/MA Race to Nowhere is a documentary which has been taking the country by storm. The film takes a look at the pressures on today’s students. It shows intimate stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, whose lives are packed with activities, leaving little to no room for downtime, family time. The film shows parents under pressure to raise high-achieving children who are good at everything – academics, sports, the arts, community service. It offers a look at educators who feel overburdened, stressed and worried that students are not learning anything, and a look at college professors/business leaders who feel young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Race to Nowhere is a call to families, educators and policy makers to galvanize change before it is too late. This film is intended for mature audiences and may contain content disturbing to children. This film is not recommended for elementary school-aged children. The film is rated PG-13 Mark your calendars- April 8th, 7pm!
What better activity for celebrating being outdoors again than running (or walking) in the 19th annual Heartbreak Hill Youth Road Race! A one-mile race, up and down historic Heartbreak Hill on Sunday, April 17th – the day before the Boston Marathon, between noon and 3pm. It is not as serious as it sounds. It is tons of fun, with music, hip-hop warm ups, face painting, raffle prizes, medallions and goody bags for all the runners – and lots of cheering and celebrating! For the serious runners among you, it is also a sanctioned USA Track & Field race with finish line digital display clock timing and plenty of competition, not to mention trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category. Not a runner? Join Mayor Setti Warren for the Family Walk at 3:00, and walk the course. It is a great way to take a walk with your family, friends – and the Mayor! Register on line now at www.newtoncommunitypride.org The first 500 entries get a free t-shirt. All registrants get a free ticket to the pre-race pasta/pizza party at Newton City Hall on Saturday, April 16th at 5:30pm. Any questions? Please call us at 617-527-8283
WHAT CHILDREN LEARN FROM STUDYING THE ARTS
Featuring Dr. Ellen Winner
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
7–8:30 p.m.
Alumni House, Newton Campus
For directions, click here
Free! All are welcome! Register here
In response to the marginalization of the arts in our schools, arts advocates often claim that the arts are the key to higher test scores and grades. While many of these claims are unfounded, we will explore what the arts can and cannot do for our children. This program is co-sponsored by the Boston College Psychology Department and Alumni Education program.
About Dr. Ellen Winner
Dr. Ellen Winner is Professor and Chair of Psychology at Boston College and Senior Research Associate at Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education. She received her Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University in 1978, working with Roger Brown on child metaphor. Her research focuses on cognition and learning in the arts in typical and gifted children. She is the author of over 100 articles and four books, the most recent of which is Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education (Teachers College Press, 2007).
Spontaneous Generation, directed by Graham Techler and Nicole Bunis, produced by Theatre Ink. From the moment when the first bacterium crawled onto the felsic shore and called itself man, Mother Earth has called on one troupe to be the guiding light for the despairing mass: SPONTANEOUS GENERATION! Back with four more action packed shows, combining both short and long form improvisation into one unique and hilarious thrill ride that will have you sneezing with laughter from start to finish. Relying on both audience participation and the cunning of actors, Spon Gen is one show you will not want to miss. Wake the kids! Call the neighbors! Summon the spirits! SPON GEN IS BACK! April 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th at 7:30pm. Little Theatre at NNHS, 457 Walnut St., Newtonville. Tickets $7 at www.theatreink.net or 617-559-6406.
Classifieds
Join kids across the country taking part in National TriMathlon Day on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at more than 200 Mathnasium Learning Centers! The TriMathlon is a math competition for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students – it’s free and open to everyone. There will be goodie bags for participants, medals and prizes for local winners, and over $10,000 in awards for national winners. To register, go to www.mathtriathlon.com
Two Summer Camps at The Park School~in Brookline For Kids~Ages~4-15:
1. “Creative Arts at Park” is a multi-arts camp for ages 7-15.~ A full year of arts education in one summer session June 27-July 29.~Choose your own schedule from over 130 courses including video, visual arts, photography, theatre, dance, music, creative writing and sports including fencing, karate, gymnastics, swimming, soccer, tennis and basketball.
2.”Summer at~Park“- General camps and specialty sessions for ages 4-15.~ One and two week sessions~June 13-August 12: art, cooking, golf, fishing, field trips, lacrosse, leadership training, nature, science, soccer,~swimming, tennis and~more.~ We are located across from Larz Anderson. Extended day available. info:~www.parkschool.org/mainsummer~or call Pam Swift @ 617-274-6065.
Club Invention Summer Program Returns! July 11-15 and July 18-22, Newton South High School
Club Invention focuses on projects that enhance creativity, teamwork, and inventive-thinking skills. Children entering grades 1-6 participate daily in five project modules promoting science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts through creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Newton teachers lead the curricula and Judi Fitts, a Cabot 4th grade teacher, returns as director. Register for one or both weeks: July 11-15 and/or July 18-22. Newton South High School, 9-3:30. Extended day program available. $280 includes all materials and a T-shirt! Register through Newton Community Ed at www.newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.
The BC Lady Eagles Soccer School will be holding their April Vacation clinic for girls ages 6-14 during April 19-21, 9:00am-3:00pm at the BC Newton campus. Come join us for soccer fun and development. Registration may be found at: http://bceagles.cstv.com/camps/bc-w-soccer-camps2.html
Wally’s Wicked Good Ice Cream & Treats (which reopened for the season today) is holding a 5K run on May 12th to benefit the Melanoma Foundation of New England.
Newton at Home (NAH) is actively looking for volunteers who enjoy being with older adults. NAH is a new non-profit organization dedicated to providing an array of practical services and social activities to enable Newton residents aged 60 and over to age at home comfortably, safely, independently, and with peace of mind. Currently NAH has a particular need for volunteer drivers, administrative/database support, and direct service volunteers to assist NAH members with the many practical things that help people manage in their own homes. Some examples of what our volunteers may do include: driving a member to the library, changing fire alarm batteries or light bulbs, doing minor home repairs, running errands, helping members learn how to use electronic devices such as DVD players or cell phones, in-home teaching of computer skills, taking notes at medical appointments, friendly visiting, etc. Training programs are offered to prepare volunteers about the special needs of an aging population. Please visit the NAH website at www.newtonathome.org to learn more about NAH and to see a complete list of our volunteer opportunities. Whether you have a spare hour to give, or would like to help on a more regular basis, please contact us at 617-795-2560 or email [email protected]
