Author: Mia

Newton Schools Foundation Annual Appeal
Newton Schools Foundation

What is life? Does function follow form?

How should energy be harnessed? Do my choices matter?

A group of Newton 10th graders is exploring these questions through the DaVinci Program, launched this year at Newton South High School.

Your donation to Newton Schools Foundation can help even more students participate in this and many other exciting initiatives in the Newton Public Schools.

The DaVinci Program integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math to build students’ skills in experimentation, analytical problem solving, collaboration, presentation and communication.

By donating to Newton Schools Foundation, you can provide even more students the opportunity to engage in this unique learning experience as well as the many other programs Newton Schools Foundation supports.

For five decades NSF has provided private funding for educational innovations that are difficult to address in the school department’s operating budget.

Your donation enables NSF to fund:
- Dynamic new curricula for all students.
- Teacher training to ensure Newton educators use effective, up-to-date teaching practices.
- Achievement gap programs and scholarships for low-income and minority students.
The programs we support span Newton’s diverse student population and impact all of Newton’s 12,000 students.

When you give to Newton Schools Foundation you are ensuring that the Newton Public Schools continue to provide your child with the best education in this ever-changing teaching and learning environment.

Sincerely,

Marcia Tabenken and Josh Weiss

Co-Presidents

P.S. Thank you so much for your continued support and we hope you join us in making a year-end tax deductible gift to NSF right now.
December 13, 2015
Restoration of Newton’s Oldest Burying Ground

Mayor Setti Warren announced today that Newton’s efforts to restore and preserve its historic East Parish Burying Ground have advanced with the award of a $50,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

“We are grateful that the Massachusetts Historical Commission selected Historic Newton for this valuable grant,” Mayor Warren said. “The grant will be used to match $653,679 in City of Newton CPA funds to restore and preserve tombs and grave markers in the city’s oldest burying grounds.”

Mayor Warren added, “The grant represents an important way the City is working to leverage the efforts of Historic Newton, a public-private partnership, with state and city funds to enhance one of Newton’s treasures.”

In 2003, Historic Newton and City of Newton Parks and Recreation Department launched a long range program to secure funding to restore the City’s historic burying grounds, including gravestone and tomb restoration, improved public access,and the installation of new fences, gates, and signage.

The East Parish Burying Ground, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at the corner of Centre and Cotton Streets, and has gravesites dating from 1668 to the nineteenth century. It is one of Newton’s three historic burying grounds, all of which are slated for preservation under a multi-year plan. Marking the final resting place of many of Newton’s European settlers, the Burying Ground contains some of the finest examples of early American gravestone art carved by some of our nations most accomplished gravestone artists.

Historic Newton Director Lisa Dady said, “The Massachusetts Historical Commission has played an important role in helping to preserve historic structures, landscapes and community history. The gravestones and tombs reveal dozens of names now associated with Newton’s streets, schools, public buildings, parks, and landmarks.”

Dady added, “This grant will allow us to continue our work to restore a part of Newton’s history as well as to create an open air museum, park-like green space, and a place for walking and contemplation.” In addition to restoration efforts, Historic Newton organizes educational walking tours and volunteer clean-ups at Newton’s three historic burying grounds.

The East Parish Burying Ground, which is listed in the State Registry of Historic Places, received this matching grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund, through the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman.

Information about Historic Newton is available at www.historicnewton.org

December 12, 2015
Two Free Workshops at Artemis Yoga

Do You Mind the Holidays? Make it a Mindful Holiday instead.
A Free Workshop

Sunday, December 13th
1pm to 2:15pm

Artemis Yoga
639 Mt. Auburn Street,
Watertown, MA

Please register at here so we save a spot for you.

No matter how much fun the holidays are supposed to be, it is hard for all of us not to have some stress and impulsive eating in the midst of the joy of the season. Instead this workshop will help you to experience what is often called, being in the moment and paying attention on purpose.

In this free workshop you will learn:
• Breathwork techniques for the holidays…or any day!
• What is intuitive and mindful eating?
• Common food challenges that people struggle with during holidays
• Tips to manage common stress points
• Strategies to learn to relax amidst the busy-ness of the season
• Ways to visualize and introduce relaxation as a first response

This two part workshop brings together two professionals in the field for this integrated session on mindfulness and intuitive eating. Wear comfortable clothing. Please join Alysia and Anette for a wonderful session and treat yourself this holiday season.

MindfulHolidayWorkshop_Dec13_flyer

Teen (and Tween) Yoga

A Free Workshop

Sunday, December 13th – 3pm to 3:45pm

Artemis Yoga, 639 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA

Workshop is free but please register at here so we save a spot for you.

Have you heard about yoga and mindfulness for youth but don’t know what it is all about?

This workshop will introduce you to our Yoga for Teens/Tweens program.

In this short session you will learn:
• Ways to think positively and build confidence
• Poses to strengthen your body and build flexibility
• Strategies to use your breath and the mind to calm nerves
• Ways that the mind works to help you manage emotions and your busy schedule

Yoga for Teen/Tweens at Artemis Yoga will help you to safely test your agility and strength while becoming more flexible and toned. We will also learn to use our breath and mindfulness techniques to steady the mind.

This can be helpful before a big event or important occasion that might make you nervous. You will work together with partners as well as by yourself and you will relax in poses with props.

No prior yoga experience is needed. Yoga is for everybody, no particular fitness level is necessary. Get ready to feel fit, relaxed, to meet new people and to have fun! Most suitable for ages 10/11 to 15.
TeenWorkshop_Dec13_flyer

December 11, 2015
New Kickboxing & Fitness Gym: Powerhouse Kickboxing

I trained with Constantin, the owner of new gym Powerhouse Kickboxing and Fitness in Watertown, MA. He created his own style of kickboxing called Bokatai which combines boxing, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do and few other martial arts into an effective fighting method.

Constantin’s background:

With nearly 40 years of Martial Arts experience, Konstantin has developed his own fighting style – Bokatai, a combination of several stand-up fighting styles. In his teens Konstantin picked up Wing Chun (Kung Fu) and Karate, in his native country Russia, at the time when all forms of Martial Arts were prohibited by the government. Konstantin graduated from St. Petersburg’s Institute of Physical Culture, named after P.S. Lesgaft, with a major in sports/exercise science and a minor in the art of boxing.

When Konstantin added Tae Kwon Do into his arsenal he was introduced to the underground circuit of fighting. A brutal reality led him to a Muay Thai Kickboxing club as the last link to becoming a complete fighting machine. After Martial Arts became legal in Russia, Konstantin founded and operated one of the first and largest Martial Arts clubs with over 1000 students. At the time he also traveled extensively throughout Russia and Europe as a competitive kickboxer.

In 1991 Konstantin received an offer to coach Kickboxing in New York. He accepted the offer and moved to Brooklyn. In the years that followed, Konstantin traveled the country as a personal trainer and kickboxing coach, working with professional and amateur athletes focusing on performance cross training. Some of the areas he worked in were hockey, tennis, cycling, golf, rowing, and pro-fighters.

Finally in 2004 Konstantin moved to Boston, fell in love with Massachusetts and in 2005 Konstantin’s dream to once again run his own club finally came true. He opened his first PowerHouse Kickboxing and Fitness studio in Cambridge. Now on PowerHouse Kickboxing’s 10th anniversary he is opening his new 4000 sq ft location where he hopes to share his knowledge and to serve the local community for many years to come.

December 11, 2015
Walnut Market is a Foodie Paradise!

Walnut Market

20 Lincoln St

Newton Highlands, MA 02461

Exceptional, curated selection of obscure beers, wines, and fine foods. A huge variety of International and local foods, as well as exotic beer and wine. They also have a great selection of British and European chocolate.

We like Canadian products and they have Canadian smoked turkey and Canadian bagels. The British and European chocolate is also a hit with my kids and closer to us the Kiki’s Kwik-Mart.

December 10, 2015
L’Aroma Pop Up Store

L’Aroma Pop Up Store

Saturday December 12th 10-4pm

It’s part of the 2nd Art and Stroll for West Newton.

December 9, 2015
NNHS Principal Search Update

November 20, 2015

Dear North Families:

As you are aware, Mark Aronson is serving as Interim Principal for the school year, and will be retiring in June. I am grateful for Mark’s long-standing dedication and commitment to Newton North and feel fortunate that we have had an Interim Principal that is highly skilled and widely respected. I know Mark will do everything possible to support the school through the end of the school year.

Selecting a principal is one of the most critical decisions made by a superintendent. Principals are expected to provide excellent educational leadership, establish a positive school culture, and manage the daily operations of the building. The selection process will be similar to the one we used last year but the timeline will be earlier. Since the principal’s position impacts the entire school community, we will again form a Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) that will include administrators, faculty, students and parents/guardians. The SAC will conduct first round interviews and recommend semi-finalists. The PTO will be in touch regarding the process for serving on the SAC. We have already started to advertise for the position and have attached the timeline that has been developed.

There will be multiple opportunities for parents to be involved in the search process. In addition to having members on the SAC, parents will have the chance to meet the finalist candidates when they visit Newton North.

I am writing to invite you to a parent focus group on December 9th at 6:30 p.m. in film lecture hall where you will have an opportunity to learn about the search process, as well as address the following questions:

• What is working well at Newton North right now?

• What are the areas that you believe deserve the attention of a new principal?

• What qualities and attributes are you looking for in a new principal?

You may also complete the online survey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NewtonNorth which has the same questions. We hope to see you on either December 9th or some time during the interview process.

I look forward to working with the North community as we embark upon this important task.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman Superintendent of Schools

December 8, 2015
Newton #7 Most Affluent in MA
The Boston Business Journal’s “Rich State, Poor State: The Most—and Least—Affluent Communities in Massachusetts” ranked Newton the No. 7 most-affluent community. According to BBJ, Newton’s Stats are:
- Population: 86,241
- Median household income: $119,148
- Median home value: $696,500
- Percent of workers earning $100,000+: 28.8 percent
- Adults with advanced degrees: 48.7 percent
Top 10 affluent communities:
1. Dover
2. Wellesley
3. Lexington
4. Winchester
5. Needham
6. Duxbury
7. Newton
8. Hingham
9. Belmont
10. Brookline
Top 10 least affluent communities:
1. Lawrence
2. Warren
3. Springfield
4. Athol
5. Holyoke
6. Fall River
7. New Bedford
8. Chelsea
9. Webster
10. Winchendon
December 7, 2015
FREE Yoga Classes all week at NEW Artemis Yoga!

Liz Padula of Auburndale has opened a new yoga studio in Watertown, Massachusetts! To kick off her the opening, she’s offering FREE classes all week!

Classes begin on Monday Dec 7th with free classes all week Monday the 7th through Saturday the 12th.

Artemis Yoga
639 Mt. Auburn Street
Watertown, MA 02472

The schedule is here.

Artemis Yoga is also home to Soccer on the Mat, Brazilian Fast Foot soccer combined with yoga classes for girls ages 11 to 15 developed by Alison Foley, Boston College Women’s Soccer Head Coach.

Parking is available in the public lot on Wells Ave or in meters around the area.

December 6, 2015
NewTV Breast Cancer Survivor Stories

Newton-based NewTV Production Services recently partnered with intimate apparel retailer Lady Grace Intimate Apparel to create a video telling the story of how the 80-year-old chain of Massachusetts stores helped share the stories of three breast cancer survivors and Lady Grace customers. The video captures the stories of three women who share their experience, encourage early detection through mammography, and finding confidence and beauty again through compassionate care and selection of quality post-surgery breast cancer products, from breast forms and specialized bras selected by trained fitters. In addition to assisting thousands of devoted survivors, Lady Grace also handles bra modifications and the insurance carriers and subsequent paperwork. Most insurance carriers cover at least 80 percent and in some cases 100 percent of the cost of breast forms and bras, minimizing out of pocket expenses.

“It was a privilege to tell these brave women’s stories,” said Melinda Garfield, NewTV Production Services Manager. “These are courageous stories, and we were honored to be chosen by Lady Grace to capture these women’s experiences on video in the hopes that it will help other women find out about these caring services and products.”

“Unless you are breast cancer survivor, it’s difficult to understand or relate to the fact that cancer can take more than just body parts,” said survivor Linda of Danvers, Mass. “On the inside, I wasn’t whole. So what happened when I put that bra on, not only was it a beautiful bra, but there was a wonderful woman standing there and she said to me, ‘It’s beautiful, and you are beautiful.’ I felt… beautiful.”

NewTV Production Services offers high-quality video production services and upgraded facility rental. The organization’s Emmy® award-winning production team creates videos for multiple mediums and purposes, including PSAs, online marketing, and live event coverage. NewTV Production Services specializes in adapting to each client’s unique message and aesthetic, producing affordable projects that reflect each client’s brand identity. NewTV facilities include a 42-seat screening room, an 866 sq. ft. HD studio and an HD control room, as well as meeting, training center and conference room, all available for rent. Visit productionservices.newtv.org for more information.

December 6, 2015