Local Author Talk–Tuesday, February 18th at 7 pm at the ACL
Join us when author and longtime Auburndale resident Bill McEvoy leads us on an Eye Opening Journey Through the Interesting History of Rainsford Island in Boston Harbor on Tuesday, February 18th at 7 PM at the Auburndale Community Library in Newton.
Rainsford was occasionally a place of quarantine, as well as a summer resort for the wealthy. In 1854, while under the ownership of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the island’s use took a turn beginning sixty-six years as an off-shore repository for Boston’s unwanted. Its inmates were victims of: poverty, lack of health care, mental illness, senility, addiction, lack of proper housing, poor sanitary conditions, inability to pay a small fine, men unable to find work, incarcerated as paupers, and unwed pregnant women. Alice Lincoln and Louis Brandeis’ efforts resulted in the City ending Rainsford Island as a warehouse for the poor, the unwanted, and the mentally ill. Later Rainsford served for twenty-six years as the site of the Boys’ House of Reformation which led to further examples of inept management, cruelty, neglect, and death, of “Unfortunate” boys ages eight to eighteen. Sentences were for offenses that ranged from playing ball on Sundays to murder, and the boys were commingled on the 11 acre island.
Bill McEvoy is a US Army Veteran (1968-1971). He earned a BA from Bentley University, an MBA from Suffolk University, and a MA in Political Science from Boston College. Bill is a retired Massachusetts District Court Magistrate, and he has volunteered with the No Veteran Dies Alone program at the Bedford Veterans Hospital, as well as performing pro bono work as a Magistrate. Bill has performed many large-scale cemetery research projects, several as a volunteer at Mount Auburn Cemetery (MAC). He has recently published a book about the cemetery, as well as the people buried there.
Over the past few weeks, we have learned that several North students have been sharing social media posts of individuals using the N-word. Additionally, we have received reports of students using this word in the hallways as well. These incidents have been or are being investigated and responded to in accordance with the discipline procedures outlined in our Student Handbook. As noted in our handbook, the use of the N-word has severe consequences, up to and including suspension.
The use of this word is racist, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Any language that racially targets and threatens the emotional safety of anyone in our school community violates our values. Teachers will remind all students of these values in homeroom class on Tuesday.
After school today, Vice Principal Amy Winston and I met with students from our student organization Black Leadership Advisory Council, along with their advisors Pam Pistner and Elvin Cardona. Understandably, all of us in the room expressed feelings of hurt and anger from the impact of these incidents. We recognize that student voices are critical in improving our school culture and climate and we will continue to hold ongoing conversations with this Council to discuss how we can best support all of our students and respond appropriately if/when such unfortunate situations occur.
As a school community, we have taken steps to proactively address and minimize hatred and racism, including, but not limited to, our anti-bias days and our cultural days. We also work in collaboration with our Office of Human Rights, Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), our Leadership for a Diverse Society class and other groups to strengthen our work to ensure that Newton North is an inclusive and respectful community for all its members. Students can always speak with any adult if they learn of any incident of bias, hate or discrimination.
These incidents are a stark reminder that while we have done a lot of work as a school and district addressing issues of race, we will need a community effort to make meaningful progress.
Please join us standing up against discriminatory or bigoted language at North and promoting an inclusive and respectful community. If you would like to participate in the Newton North FORJ, please go to the following link to sign up https://forjnewton.com/
Thank you for your understanding and support,
Henry J. Turner, Ed.D
Principal
Newton North High School
Dear Newton North Community,
Since my email to you, last Monday (February 3rd) Newton North has been responding to the N word incidents.
Teachers engaged with their homerooms about the use of this word and many classes have continued the discussion of hate speech in their classrooms.
Our deans and counselors have been busy addressing these incidents with the students involved and supporting students who were hurt by these incidents.
On Thursday our Professional Development was a continuation of our focus on Culturally Responsive Instruction and how we can strengthen our diverse learning community by improving relationships with all students.
Our students have also been at work and are planning to respond in many ways.
I am so proud of the collaboration between the NNHS Graphic Arts program and BLAC for developing this powerful and creative advertisement for Black History Month and NNHS Black Culture Day on February 28th.
I am also grateful for having such a robust parent support organization with NNHS Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ). NNHS FORJ asked me to share the below message with you.
Also, I will be in touch tomorrow regarding student action towards these incidents.
—-
Dear Newton North Community,
At a recent NNHS Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) meeting, parents, grandparents, and other community members met with Principal Turner and a committed group of teachers and faculty. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce bias and strengthen inclusion and racial equity at Newton North and how these efforts could be supported by the broader community. This discussion included the actions taken in response to recent incidents involving the use of the N word on social media.
One central theme of the evening was the need to equip parents and other caretakers with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement necessary to encourage meaningful conversations with teens. This is a critical time for teens as they are developing their value systems and also are often in a position of influencing their peers.
We know these conversations can be challenging. Talking about race and racism can present uneasiness, with many of us feeling like we do not have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to have these conversations. To raise our collective impact, FORJ is initiating a focused effort to support parents and other caretakers.
This spring we will host a forum to bring together parents and experts to discuss effective approaches for addressing racism and supporting the diverse, inclusive, and equitable community we desire. In addition to in-person events, we will also be enhancing our online presence with a FORJ dedicated page on the NNHS website to provide resources and additional ways to connect with these efforts.
We encourage everyone to be on the lookout for these events and to review the following options as a way to get started.
Have a few minutes to spare right now?
View this short video in which Ta-Nehisi Coates provides an engaging explanation of words that do not belong to everyone. Your teens are likely to connect with this too. https://youtu.be/QO15S3WC9pg
Debby Irving, a local racial justice educator, and writer has a broad range of books, blogs, podcasts, and more. Follow this link for parent and educator resources: https://debbyirving.com/for-educators-and-parents/
Those who enjoy a bit more structure should consider the 21-day challenge. https://dev.debbyirving.com/21-day-challenge/
Looking for an in-person experience?
Consider attending one of the next NNHS FORJ meetings. The next three meetings are from 6:30-8:30pm in the NNHS International Café on March 3rd, April 6th, and May 7th . You can contact us for more information about our meetings and how to get involved at: nnhsforj@gmail.com
We look forward to engaging with you further and welcome your comments and suggestions. Racism diminishes us all, and together we can create a brighter future.
Alastair Moock, the Grammy-nominated folk and family musician born in Boston, will be joining WGBH’s Jared Bowen for a free Lunch Hour Live event at WGBH’s Boston Public Library studio next Wednesday, February 12 at noon.
Moock will join Jared for an interview before performing a few of his songs with another adult and a child.
Second Church Nursery School, the #1-rated preschool in Newton, is still accepting applications for a limited number of spaces for the 2020-2021 school year. In the heart of West Newton, SCNS is dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and welcoming environment for children ages 3-5.
Our classes are special places that emphasize learning through play in an environment designed to encourage discovery, social relationships, and independence. Each day includes outdoor play in our large, tree-shaded playground, and the children enjoy special music and creative movement classes every week.
Please call 617-527-4770 or email Director Susan Benes at secondchurchnursuryschool@comcast.net to arrange for a tour.
Alison Foley of Foley Athletic Advising is running her second annual Summer Soccer Bootcamp at the Fessenden School.
She puts female soccer players through an intense technical, tactical, and fitness workout to get them prepared for their upcoming season while also emphasizing a fun and friendly environment.
She also incorporates goal setting and leadership training into her camp.
Location:
The Fessenden School
250 Waltham St
Newton, MA 02465
Dates:
August 10th-13th
5pm to 8pm.
(Rain date makeup August 14th)
Register here.
Typical training session:
5:30-6:00 dynamic warm-up blending in functional movement and proprioception to decrease soccer injuries. Video here.
6:00-6:45- Technical training done at the highest speed to push both your fitness and ball work precision. Video here.
6:45-7:15- Tactical/Functional training. Understand the uniqueness of your position and get coached through the key responsibilities of your roles. Connecting the thirds of the field and deepening your on-field awareness will take place during this training segment as well. Video here and here.
7:15-8 pm. Small-sided and 11v11 games.
Mental training and leadership skills will also be methodically woven into all sessions. Video here.
Boss Lady Boxing is a unique boxing/strength + conditioning program for women age 45+. Registration is now open for the next session February 24 – April 15.
Classes meet Mondays (boxing) and Wednesdays (strength + conditioning) at 10:00 a.m. at the Nonantum Boxing Club, 75 Adams Street, Newton.
BLB is for women who want to build and test their fitness with the boxing workout. BLB is taught by master’s level women boxers and trainers with real fight experience. They know boxing and they know how to train – progressively, safely and with attention to technique. This is a non-contact/sparring class. No prior boxing experience required. We meet you where you are.
As a longtime stager for a top real estate professional in Newton, Lynn understands what it takes to get a home ready for the market. She provides support both emotionally to the homeowner to make these changes and provides a keen eye to showcase the home looking at its best.
Based in Newton, MA, she prepares occupied homes for the real estate market. What is great about Lynn Melville Home Staging + Redesign is that she edits a home to reuse as much as possible. She provides expert advice on how the home should be re-branded to reflect the wants, needs & lifestyle aspirations of prospective buyers.
She creates an indelible experience that captures hearts that helps homes get that emotional connection resulting in swift and competitive offers.
She works with home sellers wanting to maximize their sale & real estate professionals looking to generate better outcomes for their clients.
Lynn has made news as a home stager that makes a difference!
Curious about boxing? Looking for a way to jump-start your fitness program in the new year?
Registration for Boss Lady Boxing closes soon, and only a few spots remain. Grab yours and come sweat with us!
Boss Lady Boxing is a boxing + strength and conditioning program for women age 45+. It’s taught by national champion boxer Dena Lawton, and master trainer/coach Lisa Carusone. You do not have to be fight-ready to join. BLB builds boxing skills and fitness progressively. We meet you where you are. And, we want to see where you can go.
BLB runs for six weeks (12 sessions) Jan. 6 – Feb. 12, 2020.
Boxing with Dena meets Mondays, from 10-11 AM. Strength and conditioning with Lisa meets Wednesdays, from 10-11 AM.
