Blog
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Beloved Teacher, Ty Vignone at NNHS, Passes Away
Dear Newton North Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Ty Vignone, longtime history teacher at Newton North, passed away on Saturday, November 26, after a battle with cancer. Ty began his career at Day Junior High School in 1965. In 1983, Ty moved to Newton North and continued teaching here through this fall. Ty’s impact on people goes beyond Newton North’s walls as he was a mentor and friend to so many students, teachers and parents throughout the Newton Public Schools. Newton North is where Ty left his greatest influence and will be best known for creating the Close Up program as well as the Prague Summer Trip.
School counselors will be available to support students who are impacted by Mr. Vignone’s death. Additionally, History and Social Sciences Department Chair Jon Bassett will contact students currently enrolled in Close Up and their families regarding the plans for the course for the rest of the school year.
Ty will be sorely missed. I have copied the obituary for Ty that has more information about his life and plans for honoring Ty.
All the best,
Henry Turner, Ed.D
Principal
Newton North High School
VIGNONE, Ty Was born in E. Longmeadow, MA in 1937. He was the son of the late Daniel and Marion and the brother of Tim. Prior to his 51-year career as a teacher, he served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962 to 1964. Ty began teaching at Day Junior High School in Newton in 1965. He moved to Newton North High School in 1983, and taught there until this year. Ty instituted two programs for students that were often life-changing. One was the Close-Up Program, when he and his students would spend the week in Washington, D.C. learning about the government first hand. In recognition of his tenure and his dedication to teaching students about government, Ty was recognized by both Joe Kennedy, III and Elizabeth Warren last year. Another was the Prague Summer Program that Ty established in 1990. For many students, their participation in the program was the most memorable event of their high school lives. Over a three-week period, they studied with him in Prague, Krakow, and Berlin. He also was a mentor to countless young teachers over the years. Throughout his career, Ty received numerous teaching awards. Ty was a presence and no one loved life more than he did. No matter where he went, he made connections immediately, and always had a following. Ty made life-long friends with many co-workers in the Peace Corps and fellow skiers. He was an inspiration to his fellow teachers. He also exposed many friends and colleagues to far reaching corners of the globe. Many will recall with nostalgia “Ty-trips” to Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and countless other countries in the world. In spite of the large number of people in his life, his friendships were genuine, reciprocal, unconditional, lasting, and acquired greater depth as they grew over the years. His students and his friends were his life. And those relationships continue in spirit. We will all miss you, Ty, but you are still a part of our lives. Burial will be private, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made, in his memory, to the: Ty Vignone Student Travel Assistance Fund, c/o Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St., Newtonville, MA 02460.View the online memorial for Ty VIGNONE
Published in The Boston Globe on Nov. 27, 2016.
Leave tributes here at Lasting Memories.
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“Screenagers” at NNHS Nov 29
Save the date: “Screenagers” coming to NNHS on November 29
The Newton North PTSO and the Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education are pleased to bring “Screenagers” to Newton North on Tuesday, November 29, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., in the auditorium. “Screenagers” is a documentary about struggles over social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction.According to the website, “Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, ‘Screenagers’ reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.”
The movie will be followed by a panel discussion. Panelists will include Henry Turner, principal of Newton North High School; Joani Geltman, MSW, child development and parenting expert; and one or two students. Parents/guardians, middle schoolers, and high schoolers are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Learn more about the movie at http://www.screenagersmovie.com.
R.s.v.p. for “Screenagers” on Facebook!
Copies of Ms. Geltman’s recent book, A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens: Talking to Your Kids About Sexting, Drinking, Drugs, and Other Things That Freak You Out, will be available for purchase at a price of $17 (cash, check, or credit card) after the program.
Support Dreamfar High School Marathon program: bring athletic wear to “Screenagers”
Help Newton student runners achieve their goals when you bring a donation of running socks or running gloves to the “Screenagers” program.To support Dreamfar High School Marathon program, please bring donations of any of the following items for all genders:
- Running socks
- Running gloves
- Fleece hats
- Hydration belts
- Gift cards to TJMaxx, Marshalls, or Target (for athletic clothing)
- Gift cards to Marathon Sports, True Runner, New Balance or Heartbreak Hill Running Company (for sneakers and more)
Dreamfar’s mission is “To challenge high school students to reach their full potential – physically, socially, emotionally – through a mentor-supported marathon training program.” Read more at dreamfarhsm.org.
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Get Tickets for Urban Nutcracker
“Hip-hop holiday fun… [with] enthusiasm and a sense of inclusive community onstage.”-The Boston GlobeTony Williams Dance Center presents the 16th year of the Boston holiday classic, Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker,December 16-31 at John Hancock Hall (180 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116). This modern holiday classic has been praised as “a Nutcracker with real soul” by Boston Metro. This year includes three special performances: an Autism sensory-friendly performance (Dec. 17) and an LGBTQ Night (Dec. 29), both designed to be inclusive and spread the joy of dance; and a New Year’s Eve performance on December 31.
In 2001, local dance legend Tony Williams reimagined the classic holiday Nutcracker tale to become a Boston inner-city story with a neon-buzz, blending the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky. Annually, 150 performers – including professional ballet dancers – take the stage to showcase a broad diversity of dance forms starring the multicultural icons of Boston. Audiences will join heroine Clarice as she explores iconic Boston scenes such as Make Way for Ducklings, Top of the Hub, Chinatown, and the Boston Public Garden. The delightful story continues by following the magical journey of Clarice and her Nutcracker guide through classical ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, flamenco, and more.All performances of the Urban Nutcracker will take place at John Hancock Hall180 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116Dec 16 | 7:30 PMDec 17 | 11 AM (Autism Sensory Friendly)Dec 17 | 3 PMDec 18 | 11 AMDec 18 | 3 PMDec 22 | 7:30 PMDec 23 | 7:30 PMDec 24 | 11 AMDec 24 | 3 PMDec 29 | 7:30 PM (LGBT Inclusive)Dec 30 | 1:30 PMDec 30 | 7:30 PMDec 31 | 3 PMAll performances are approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.Ticket Prices: $25-$85; Discounts for groups of 15 or moreMBTA: Green Line to Arlington, Orange Line to Back BayMore info: urbannutcracker.com, 888-596-1027About Urban NutcrackerThe Urban Nutcracker celebrates multicultural Boston through a broad range of diverse dance styles. Produced by the Tony Williams Dance Center, the Urban Nutcracker harnesses the power the arts to unite diverse communities to be a catalyst for positive social change.Presenting sponsor of Urban Nutcracker is Adage Capital. Additional support is provided by Chobee Hoy Real Estate.About Tony WilliamsTony Williams is a dance pioneer and retired international ballet star. Williams’ dance philosophy uses the arts to unite diverse communities in Boston, having had direct experience on how transformative the arts can be on young lives. As a young man, he gained access to Boston Ballet’s dance program and progressed to become their first African-American principal dancer. From there he danced with the Joffery Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and performed all over the world. When Williams retired, he returned to Jamaica Plain, where it all began, and opened a dance school. Not long after, he produced the beloved Urban Nutcracker which annually enjoys a successful run downtown. Widely respected as a progressive dance educator, Williams has won the Dance Teacher Magazine Award and Wheelock Family Theater’s Wheel Award. In 2014, he founded the Tony Williams Ballet and expanded his dance school to Concord, MA. -

Lady Eagles Girls Soccer Winter Clinic
Winter Youth Clinic
Dates: Mon Dec 26 – Thurs Dec 29, 2016
Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Ages: 6-14 years
Location: Alumni Stadium Bubble
Cost:
4 day option $295
3 day $225
We would also like to inform you of our upcoming Soccer on the Mat clinics. For more information on these, please visit www.socceronthemat.com or click here.
More specific information on all our clinics, including information on how to register, can be found on our website www.bcwomenssoccer.com.
If you have any questions,or would like more information, please see contact information below.
EMAIL: soccer.clinic@bc.edu
PHONE: 617-552-0982
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Wellesley Marketplace
Fantastic Holiday shopping in a new location with over 200 artisans and vendors at the new Wellesley High School.The Marketplace is a retail favorite for those seeking unique art, handmade jewelry and gourmet foods.Sharon Schindler Photography will be there! -

Emma Willman Nov. 30 and Dec. 4 at LAUGH BOSTON
WHO: Comedian Emma WillmannWHAT: Originally from a tiny town in Maine, Emma Willmann exploded onto the Boston comedy scene in 2010. In 2011 she won first place in the Boston Comedy Riots and was featured in The 2011 and 2012 Boston Woman in Comedy Festival. From there she brought her high energy, deeply personal, and observational act to New York City, where she quickly moved through the NYC comedy ranks – making her national TV debut on Axis TV’s Live at Gotham in 2014.Willmann has also appeared in The 2014 New York Comedy Festival, hosted The 2013 Hoboken Comedy Festival, appeared on ComedyTimeTV, opened for Louie Anderson, appeared with Aziz Ansari and Donald Glover, and will be starring in two upcoming episodes of the popular TV show Deadly Affairs, on the Investigation Discovery Network.WHERE: Laugh Boston, 425 Summer Street, Boston MAWHEN: Wednesday Nov. 30th at 8pm and Sunday Dec. 4th at 7pmHOW: Tickets are $20. For tickets go here!All media inquiries to Kathryn Musilek: km@sharkpartymedia.comABOUT EMMA WILLMANN:Emma Willmann is one of the New York scene’s fast risers. Her credits are excellent despite that she’s fairly new in comic years. In the past two years, she was featured in Just for Laughs New Faces, one of the 10 Funniest Women in New York according to Time Out New York, featured in Elle Magazine, recently passed at the NY Comedy Cellar, became a regular on SiriusXM Raw Dog, landing her own monthly show, appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and will soon be appearing on a new show on FuseTV in October.Watch: Emma Willmann Perform Stand-Up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!











