Author: Mia

Later School Start Community Forum

Dear Families,

Last year, I shared information with you about the important work Newton is doing to examine the impact of high school start times on students. Since Newton began its work, several other districts across the state have begun to investigate whether a change in high school start time is right for their district. The growing interest in high school start time is a reflection of the compelling research demonstrating the unique sleep cycles of adolescents and the potential consequences of sleep deficit.

A working group spent the 2015-16 school year reviewing sleep research, investigating processes in other districts, and gathering survey feedback from Newton students, faculty, and families. Regular updates were provided to the School Committee, posted to the district website, and distributed via email. A final report with survey results and analysis was issued in June 2016. Click here for the full report End of Year Report.

From the research and feedback, the High School Start Time Working Group has created six potential “scenarios” for consideration. These scenarios move the high school start time later. Some impact only the high schools while others impact all schools in the district. These scenarios were presented to the School Committee on Monday, September 19, 2016 and can be viewed here.

The next step is for you, the NPS community, to provide your feedback on the potential changes to the start times. As a district, we want to hear your thoughts on the benefits, costs, and implications of any changes, as well as your feedback on the value of undertaking this effort. We have scheduled a community forum for Wednesday, October 19th at 7 p.m. at Angier (1697 Beacon St.) at which the Working Group will share information and listen to your feedback. We hope you will attend. We will also share information through PTO meetings this fall, as well as through school newsletters. To share you feedback directly with the Working Group, please send an email to: laterstart@newton.k12.ma.us. For more information visit the district website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/page/2553.

I look forward to hearing your feedback this fall as we consider whether a later high school start time is right for the Newton Public Schools.

Sincerely,

David A. Fleishman

Superintendent of Schools

October 11, 2016
Free Family Fun at The Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts kicks off another season of Free Family Fun this fall! Children of all ages and abilities are invited to join us on the third Saturday of the month from 10am to 12pm to experiment with paint, paper, collage, performance, movement, and more!

2016-2017 Free Family Fun Dates:

October 15

November 19

January 21

February 18

March 18

Free Family Fun is part of the Arsenal Center’s Open Doors program – providing free and reduced cost programming and activities that encourage patrons of all ages to experience the arts, use their imaginations and to express themselves in the creation of their own masterpiece in a variety of mediums. Different projects and games will be offered each month.

This program is made possible through the generous support of The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation, Moses Kimball Fund, and the Highland Street Foundation.

freefamilyfun1617-1

October 10, 2016

What to Study to Become Millionaire

Want to become a millionaire? Research reveals what to study in order to make it

MBA named the most popular degree held by 12% of HNWIs

Engineering, Economics, Business Studies and Law also make top five

Vocational subjects dominate top of the list, with History and Psychology being held by only 1% of HNWIs

More millionaires have degrees in MBAs – Masters of Business Administration – than any other subject, according to a new study by Spear’s Magazine and leading wealth consultancy company WealthInsight.

In a new study highlighting the 10 most popular undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are held by millionaires around the world, the research shows that 12% are MBA graduates, followed closely by Engineering at 11% and Economics at 8%.

Also in the top five includes Business Studies at 6% and Law at 5%.

The findings show a trend in vocational subjects often producing the most millionaires, with degrees in History and Psychology being held by less than 1% of HNW individuals.

Oliver Williams, Head of WealthInsight commented: “Wealthy individuals are often entrepreneurs and innovators who benefit from degrees that encourage new and smart thinking. It is therefore no surprise to see that a high number of scientific and financial degrees are studied by millionaires: Numerical degrees are a particular advantage when it comes to amassing a personal fortune.

“With the exception of the MBA and Business Studies, few of these degrees materialise as outright vocational pursuits. Most engineering graduates, for example, are not engineers but entrepreneurs. The same goes for most law and accountancy graduates who make their wealth in professions outside their degrees.”

	TOTAL HNWIs
	Subject	Percentage of Total
1	MBA	12.1%
2	Engineering	10.7%
3	Economics	8.2%
4	Business Studies/BBA	5.9%
5	Law	4.7%
6	Accountancy	2.9%
7	Finance	2.1%
8	Management	2.0%
9	Commerce	1.9%
10	Computer Science	1.9%
11	Politics	1.3%
12	Mathematics	1.1%
13	Medicine	1.0%
14	Physics	0.9%
15	Chemistry	0.9%
16	History	0.8%
17	Marketing	0.7%
18	Biology	0.6%
19	Psychology	0.6%
20	Philosophy	0.6%

October 9, 2016

Local Authors Sought for Arlington Book Festival

Local Authors Sought

*Calling all Local Authors for Arlington Book Festival
*Robbins Library is bringing back the Arlington Book Festival on Saturday November 5. Local authors are encouraged to submit an application <https://robbinslibrary.wordpress.com/arlington-book-festival-2016/> to participate in this festival. The number of applications we receive and the areas of interest and expertise among our applicants will help determine the festival format, and preference will be given to Arlington-based authors. Applications will be accepted through Monday Sept 19.

October 8, 2016
Beware of IRS Phone Scam

Here’s what IRS.gov has to say about just one variation of a phone scam.

An excerpt from the page:

If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here are some of the telltale signs to help protect yourself.

The IRS will never:

– Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
– Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other
law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
– Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
– Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

If you get a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:

– Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
– Search the web for telephone numbers scammers leave in your voicemail asking you to call back. Some of the phone numbers may be published online and linked to criminal activity.
– Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page or call 800-366-4484.
– Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
– If you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS directly at
800-829-1040.

October 7, 2016
FREE Walk-in Flu Shot Clinics in Newton

Be Wise & Immunize!

Join Newton-Wellesley Hospital for a FREE Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic Near You

Open to adults ages 18 and older

Tuesday October 11, 4-7pm

Wikstrom Surgical Center Lobby/East Entrance

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Thursday, October 20, 1-4pm

Jewish Community Center

333 Nahanton Street, Newton

Friday, October 28, 1-4pm

Wikstrom Surgical Center Lobby/East Entrance

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

For more information, please visit www.nwh.org/flu or call 617.243.5900.

October 6, 2016
Understanding Our Differences Author Event

Understanding Our Differences Author Event at Newton South High School!

Register Today

Meet the Author – UOD Family Book Event

You’re invited! Join Understanding Our Differences on Tuesday, Oct. 18th at 7:00 p.m. for our exciting Meet the Author – Family Book Event. The featured author is Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, who will talk about and sign her Newbery Honor award-winning middle grade novel, The War That Saved My Life. The book is a story of triumph against all odds by a girl with a physical disability, set during World War II.

See complete event details below. Go to this link on our website to register today and save your space: http://understandingourdifferences.org/book-event/
Note: Program is 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Book signing follows. Elementary school children and older are welcome with an adult.

We look forward to welcoming you at Newton South High School Auditorium
for our annual literary event!

October 6, 2016
Hurricane Matthew Preparedness

Bring in outdoor furniture, charging batteries, emergency kits, and more.

With the possible threat of Hurricane Matthew following a track that could have a major impact on New England this weekend, the Arlington Fire Department and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) recommends actions that people can take to minimize the potential damage from this storm.

– Prior to a storm, outdoor objects such as trash barrels, lawn furniture, and other items that can be displaced by high winds should be secured or brought inside.
– In highly flood-prone areas, keep materials on hand like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, lumber, shovels, work boots and gloves.
– Make sure phones and other important devices are charged.
– Check in on neighbors who may need assistance.

MEMA recommends every home and business have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency. Certain items around the house and workplace should be available in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power. Each kit will be unique to each family or business, but should include a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets.

Families should also develop a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ with an ‘outside the area’ contact to help ensure everyone is safe. Also, develop a Disaster Supply Kit ‘Go Bag’, with essentials in case you must evacuate quickly.

During and after hurricanes power outages and fallen wires can be experienced. Stay away from downed wires. Assume all downed wires are “live” and call 911 and contact Eversource at 1-800-592-2000. Power outages should be reported directly to Eversource <%20https://www.eversource.com/content/>.

For additional safety information please visit www.mass.gov/mema <http://www.mass.gov/mema> andwww.Ready.Gov. <https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes>

For more electrical safety tips from Eversource, visit their website at eversource.com <http://www.eversource.com>.

October 5, 2016
NNHS, NSHS National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
These are the 27 Newton North High School and Newton South High School National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! Congratulations!

Newton North High School
- Seth A. Freedman
- Adlai J. Hess
- Isabella L. Jackson-Saitz
- Nalini Khurana
- Jacob Kolodney
- Blake R. Krantz
- Iris Liao
- Emily R. Moss
- Devin M. Perlo
- Amanda R. Powers
- Jordan E. Rensing
- Nicholas A. Scott
- Louis O. Torracinta
Newton South High School
- Emily A. Aunins
- Alexandra S. Cao
- Kayla X. Chang
- Haley Friedman
- Miriam Glasgow
- Laura Hernandez
- Noah M. Kopf
- Jonathan J. Lee
- Sara Leuchtenberger
- Cassandra Luca
- James D. Rao
- Rebecca R. Sarin
- Erik N. Uhlmann
- Evan W. Zeng
October 5, 2016

Charter School Question: Rep Alice Peisch

Come hear Rep. Alice Peisch’s view on November Ballot Question #2, Lifting Charter School Cap — RSVP by 9.30.16

Join Representative Alice Peisch

House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education

for coffee & a discussion about her support for lifting the charter school cap

8:30 – 9:30 am

Friday, October 7, 2016

16 Glen Brook Road

Wellesley, MA 02481

RSVP by September 30th — esuneby@verizon.net

Note: This is NOT a fundraiser

A quality public education is the right of every citizen, and charter schools offer an option to close the achievement gap for students from low-income families. The Massachusetts Authorization of Additional Charter Schools and Charter School Expansion Initiative, also known as Question 2, is on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute.

A “yes” vote supports this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education per year.

A “no” vote opposes this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools.^[1]

October 4, 2016