Newton residents will help decide the future direction of our city and our schools when we go to the polls on November 3. The hiring of a new Superintendent and the implementation of the Public Schools Strategic Plan are just two of the many critical issues that our next elected officials will tackle. 

Stand for Children sent questionnaires to all mayoral, School Committee, and Alderman candidates in contested races to give voters insight into the candidates' views on education. Read the responses on Stand for Children's website.

Remember: On the November ballot, you'll be able to vote for mayor, a School Committee member from each ward, your own ward alderman, and two at-large aldermen from each ward.

by Jeff Dias, PAC liaison for F.A. Day
 
The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education serves as a resource for parents and as a liaison between parents and the school administration. All parents, teachers, specialists and others with an interest in education are welcome.
 
Upcoming PAC meetings:
 
Thursday, November 5th - Basic Rights Workshop with Dan Ahearn, Esq.  7:30pm to 9:00pm,100 Walnut Street, Newtonville
 
Back by popular demand, this user-friendly, comprehensive presentation on basic rights is one meeting not to be missed. Dan Ahearn is the Head of School at Landmark School, and is a practicing attorney specializing in child and family law, and special education law.  Dan presents the rights and regulations of the Massachusetts laws on special education in terms that are easy to understand.

Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event that is celebrated during the first week of December.  This year the dates are December 7 - 11, 2009, and the theme is Inclusive Technology. For more information about the 2009 celebration, visit http://www.inclusiveschools.org/node/1767
 
Please contact me at jdias@rcn.com if you have any questions about special education. All inquiries are confidential.  Our website is www.newtonpac.org.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 9:00 AM -1:00 PM

Come for the whole morning or just an hour!  
Parents and Kids Welcome** - Snacks Provided

Last year was a great success - we got a lot accomplished.  Please help again this year!  Volunteers are needed to rake leaves and paint classrooms and corridors. 

Bring a rake and gloves, a tarp if you can. We also need paint brushes and drop cloths. Or volunteer to bring doughnuts, water, coffee, fruit or cookies that morning.

If you can help out, please contact Eli Dan or Jeff Zabel.

** Note - all children must be supervised by a parent or other designated adult. This is not a drop off event - there will be no supervision of children provided by the School or PTO.

The Middle School Years...The Pressure to Fit In Part 1

Thurs. November 12th, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Bigelow Middle School Library, 42 Vernon St., 02458

The Middle School Years...The Pressure to Fit In Part 2

Wed. November 18th, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Brown Middle School Library, 125 Meadowbrook Rd., 02459

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This two part workshop will provide parents with suggestions on how to support your child during these transition years.  We will explore ways in which parents can encourage positive teen friendships, help deal with cliques, build their confidence, and help them balance the demands being placed on them.  Although attendance at both workshops is recommended, it is not a requirement.

Facilitated by Amy Comeau, M.Ed. and Rolanda Prophete, LICSW. Amy is currently the Middle School Prevention and Intervention Counselor at Day and Bigelow Middle Schools. Rolanda is the Prevention and Intervention Counselor at Brown  and Oak Hill Middle Schools.

Pre-registration is requested but all are welcome to attend. Pre-register to ann_picariello@newton.k12.ma.us or 617.559.9060.

Co-sponsored by the Bigelow, Brown, Day and Oak Hill PTOs and The Newton Partnership

20th Century by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Julia Mandel-Foley and Ingrid Rudie

 

November 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30PM
Lasker Auditorium, Newton North High School
360 Lowell Ave., Newtonville
Tickets $7 (617) 559-6406 or www.theatreink.net

 

This hilarious, fast paced comedy will have audiences laughing from Chicago to Grand Central Station! Twentieth Century follows financially ruined theatre producer Oscar Jaffe's zany plots to win back his former lover and leading lady, Lily Garland. Outrageous characters and wild twists drive this over the top farce, complete with a religious zealot writing faulty checks and a plan for a Passion Play starring a menagerie of wild animals.