KEY CHANGE FOR NEXT YEAR: In order to provide the best possible
atmosphere, we must limit participation next year to a maximum of 6 students per adult coach. We do expect the club to be oversubscribed, and are seeking additional parent volunteers to coach. We can train and help you in all aspects of the role; no technical experience is required. In case of the club being oversubscribed, team selection will be limited.

Please contact us at robotics@oakhillpto.org to learn more.

Online orders are now finished and with yearbooks arriving by mid-June, they are selling out fast.

Please bring $32 as a check (pay to: Oak Hill Middle School) or cash to the Main Office and fill out an order form before Friday, June 7th to reserve your child’s copy.

Contact Ms. McCann to see if you have already reserved a book or for or any other questions - maureen_mccann@newton.k12.ma.us

May 22-25 at 7:30pm
Little Theatre at Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St Newtonville
Tickets: $7 — available online

“Blood Relations” is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Lizzie Borden, an 1890′s spinster convicted of murdering her parents. Watching the action through Lizzie’s eyes you may begin to question whether the dreamy visions of this psychopathic killer are reality or hallucination. Directed by Sam Raby and Anna Nemetz.

The suggested donation is $25 per teacher or staff member. Donations are tax-deductible. There are several ways to donate:

· By check – Made out to “Newton Schools Foundation” and mailed, along with a note containing the name and school of the teacher(s) to be honored, to: 
Newton Schools Foundation, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460

· By credit card – Phone the NSF office at 617-559-6120

· Online – Go to the NSF website, click the “Honor Thy Teacher” button and follow the instructions

We will notify staff and teachers of donations in their honor and publish their names in the Newton Tab in the fall. Donating to Honor Thy Teacher is the perfect way recognize Newton’s wonderful educators while supporting our schools.

In honor of the victims and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings. Donations to the One Fund for the victims will be accepted.

Come join others from many faiths to share your hopes, wishes, and dreams for peace in our world and unity among our human family. Bring a poem, prayer or song to share or just come to listen and be with others who share a similar interest in peace and unity.

All ages are welcome. An art table will be available for anyone who wishes to draw or create something. Light healthy refreshments will be served at the close of the program.

Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium
Monday, May 20th
3:45-5:00pm

Sponsored by the Newton Bahá’í Community and the Peacemakers Class of Newton

Featuring fashions and accessories from some of Newton’s most original shops, including Brussels Sprouts, Folklorica, Stash and CERI|COMO, this stylish affair will focus on individual style, with a particular eye toward wear-ability for women of many different shapes, sizes, ages and tastes.

This year, we are asking guests to, “Find yourself on the runway,” – whether by seeing a new look or possibly modeling one! Guests will also enjoy the colorful décor and sizzling Middle Eastern cuisine at Karoun. Once again, there will be an array of must-have baskets for raffle, an exciting BLING prize, and all that swag!

Tickets are $75 each and include dinner and table seating. Table sizes will vary and can be reserved by contacting the club’s Events Coordinator by phone at (617) 630-2066 or by email. 

Thursday, May 23, 7:30 PM
HISTORY BOOK CLUB MEETING
This month’s book selection is Choosing War: The Lost Chance for Peace and the Escalation of War in Vietnam by Fredrik Logevall. Recognized as a major work and a touchstone for any future discussion of the origins of America’s military escalation in Vietnam, the book exploits a wide array of new sources to explore America’s Vietnam policy. Well written and accessible, it cogently and systematically undermines the argument that America’s military escalation in Vietnam was in any way inevitable or necessary. The book club is free and open to all, new members are welcome.

In addition, current exhibitions include:

Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists.

An Architect Ahead of Her Time: Annie Cobb (1830-1911): Arguably the first woman architect in America, Cobb succeeded in fashioning a career for herself in the male world of building in a time when women’s work was mainly limited to the home.

Newton and the Civil War: showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Also be sure to visit our new Women’s Fashions of the Civil War Era exhibit.

Instead of forming teams with set rosters and coaching staffs. NSELL conducts “Sandlot Baseball Nights” on two weeknights per week from the last week of June through the middle of August. The league provides shirts, hats, umpires, coaches and other game-related logistics. The objective is to give everyone a chance to have fun playing competitive baseball in a well organized environment.

The cost is $75 and limited to 75 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Please visit  the NSELL website for more details and to register.

Learn more at the Too Busy to Cook website or contact owner Eileen Rielly for more information.

The event will include lion dance, dragon dance, kung fu and tai chi demonstrations, and Chinese choreographed dance.

Sunday, June 16, 2013 1:00-3:00pm
Newton North High School (NNHS) Lasker Auditorium
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.

Helen Gee Chin was the administrator at CCMAA for 15 years and a proponent of preserving the history and promoting the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. The Foundation is a tribute to her life’s passion. The Foundation awards college scholarships to encourage academic achievement and motivate individuals to become serious martial artists. Last year, the Foundation awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships.

To buy tickets or to learn more about the Foundation, please go to www.hgcscholarshipfoundation.org

Full Day 9am – 5pm Regular price $100 — on sale now $50
Full Week (morning) 9am – 1pm Regular price $250 — on sale now $125
Full Week (afternoon) 1pm – 5pm Regular price $250 — on sale now $125
Full Week 9am – 5pm Regular price $425 — on sale now $212

All discount camp days must be purchased before May 31. Camp days purchased after May 31st will be at regular prices.

Call 617-213-0344 or email Newton Sewing Studio with any questions. Feel free to pass this invitation along.

Stellar faculty with emphasis on developing the potential of every unique student. Sign up for one week of our introductory sessions from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on June 24th-30th, July 22nd-28th, and August 19th- 25th.

Contact Artistic Director Daniel Broniatowski,  D.M.A. at 857-756-5230 or view the website. Parent tested, child approved!

Solomon’s book Far From the Tree is a magnificent work about extraordinary families of individuals affected by cognitive, physical or psychological differences.  Its focus is on parents who not only learn to cope with their exceptional children, but also find profound meaning in doing so. This thought-provoking book affirms the values of empathy and acceptance and is relevant for all kinds of parents and families.  Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the event.

Registration is required at  http://understandingourdifferences.org/far-from-the-tree/.
Suggested donation is $5 at the door.  For a preview, view this YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bWH0DD800I.

Over the last 20 years, the market for children’s novels has exploded. Yet writing for these age groups is challenging and more complicated than it may seem. In this workshop, local children’s book author Karen Day will introduce you to the world of novel writing for children. This will include an overview of the industry as well as tips on how to get started. 

Participants will write, share and discuss their work. No experience is necessary.This workshop will meet on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm and run for four consecutive weeks: May 30th, June 6th, June 13th and June 20th.  The fee for this four week workshop is $150. Karen Day has published middle grade novels TALL TALES, NO CREAM PUFFS and A MILLION MILES FROM BOSTON. . You may read more about her at www.klday.com. To register, please go to the http://www.wabanlibrarycenter.org/and print out the registration form.  If you have any questions, please email us at wabanlibrary@gmail.com.

Mid-Term Feedback Forms: We are at the mid-point of the final trimester. Mid-term feedback forms will be sent home with your child this week; some went home last week. Please be sure to ask your child for these forms from most classes and return a signed copy to teachers.

Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10: Thank you to the PTO and parents who honored our talented and dedicated teachers with a scrumptious luncheon last Tuesday  during Teacher Appreciation Week.

I continue to be so grateful to be working with each of our teachers, assistant teachers and specialists.  I would like to extend my thanks to each one for their consistent efforts to support, instruct, and guide our students, making learning accessible and enjoyable. If you would like to recognize or thank your teachers a card, note, or email is suggested as an appropriate and much appreciated gesture. You may also want to make a contribution the Oak Middle School PTO to support our school community.

National School Nurse Day was May 8: This day of recognition has been set aside since 1972 to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. This specialized practice advances the wellbeing, academic success and life-long achievements of students. National School Nurse Day fell took place during National Nurses Week, May 7-11, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of nursing.  We are fortunate to have Sue Riley as our nurse! Proactive, supportive and so knowledgeable, Sue takes care of us in so many ways – thank you, Sue!

Warm Weather Clothing Expectations: As the warm weather approaches, we ask that you please support our expectations for appropriate dress at school. Spaghetti straps/tank tops, bare midriffs, low cut pants, short shorts and bare feet are not appropriate dress for school. If  your child is not dressed appropriately, s/he will be asked to visit the nurse’s office where available sports attire will be offered or Nurse Riley will contact you to bring in a change of clothing. We appreciate your support in reminding your child of these expectations.

***Important Dates:  Please make note of these dates!

Incoming Gr. 6 Parents:

Gr. 8:  NSHS Sports Night: There will be an “Eighth Grade Sports Night” held on Wednesday May 15 at 6:30p.m. in the Field House at Newton South High School. This will be the time for students to meet coaches and sign-up for sports. This is an important meeting, because many of the fall sports begin at the end of the August. Eighth grade students and their families are encouraged to attend this event.

Gr. 6-8:  No School: on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.

Gr. 5-8:  Step-up Day: Friday, June 7, 5^th graders will be visiting Oak Hill, 11:30-2:20.

• Our current 6th grade students will “Step Up” to 7th grade to learn about the 7th grade experience with the usual 2:30 dismissal.
• 7th grade students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.; school buses will be available.
  
• 8^th grade students will visit Newton North or Newton South with the usual 2:30 dismissal.

If you have any questions about next year’s program, please contact your child’s school guidance counselor at 617-559-9210.

Gr. 6-8:  Field Day: Friday, June 14, rain date, Monday, June 17. Parent assistance will be needed. If you can assist with set up, clean up or manning water stations for an hour or two, please contact Kevin Drinan: kevin_drinan@newton.k12.ma.us           

Gr. 8:

• ‘Decorate-Your-8^th Grade-Tile’ Day: Friday, June 14, Periods 5 & 6, immediately following Field Day and lunch. Parent assistance will be needed. Please contact Amy Less, PTO Co-Chair: http://oakhillpto.org/
• Our “Celebrating Success” Ceremony for 8th grade students (and their families) will be held on Friday, June 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the gym followed by refreshments in the cafeteria. Eighth graders will remain in school for the duration of the day participating in end-of-the-year activities with their teachers and peers.
• Gr. 8 Canobie Lake trip: Monday, June 24, all day; cost and permission slips are coming.

 Last Day of School:  The Newton School Committee voted to establish the last day of school for students as Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m. There will not be lunch in school on the last day.

As we approach these last weeks, know that teachers use every minute of this time to maximize the teaching and learning for your children; teachers want to ensure that students are well-prepared for next year. To that end, we ask that you continue to maintain school routines including age-appropriate bedtimes, a good breakfast, timely arrival to school, and time set aside for homework completion. Working in partnership with you, we can continue to help students reach their academic goals by the end of the year.

With warm regards,

Eva Thompson

Monday, May 13 @ 3:00PM
MEDA located in Newton MEDA specializes in eating disorders and promoting healthy eating & body image. They’ll be at the club to talk about their experience with eating disorders such as Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge Eating. Middle School & up

Tuesday, May 14 @ 3:00PM
Bill Phillips from New Beginnings will be at the Club once again, to make another impact on our members. He shares his life story of addiction and recovery, in an honest and hands on way. Middle School & up

Wednesday, May 15 @ 3:30PM AFSP – Suicide Prevention
Melanie Varandy will talk to our teens about depression. They will watch a video, and have a talk on depression, bullying, etc. What are the signs of depression, what to look for, who to call, and where to go.  Middle School & up

Enjoy bands, vendors, brunch, prizes in a family-friendly yet edgy rock ‘n roll atmosphere. Tickets are $15 per person. More event info is available online.

Ages 6-13.
Junior ZooKeeper for ages 12-13 with even more behind the scenes.
Monday-Friday 9-3, extended care available

Sessions:
July 1-12
July 15-26
July 29-August 9
August 12-16
Flexible pricing structure as low as $220 per week.

Register online or call 617-745-4150 for more information.