[CabotCommunity] Jabberwock Issue 6 for March 20, 2007

Tue Mar 20 08:48:21 EDT 2007

Please note that a copy of this issue will be available in word, with all the bells and whistles, at www.cabotpto.org
Thanks to Kim Spencer, the editor of this issue! Cabot School 
e-Jabberwock

Respect for self and others            Lifelong learning     Commitment to school and community

Issue 6 March 20, 2007

Cabot School Contact Information 
• Main Office: 617-559-9400                      • CASP: 617-964-2749
• Gym: 617-559-9407                                   • Food Service: 617-559-9021 or 617-559-6315                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
• Inclusion Facilitator: 617-559-9409      • "http://www.newton.mec.edu/Cabot/index.html"Nurse: 617-559-9404
• Library: 617-559-9406                             • Psychologist & Social Worker: 617-559-9405
• Call Back/Safe Arrival: 617-559-9390 Call by 8:20 a.m. to report tardiness & absences

Cabot School website       www.newton.mec.edu/cabot/
Cabot School PTO             www.cabotpto.org
Newton Public Schools     www.newtonpublicschools.com

 Calendar
March 20, 2007MCAS, Grade 4
March 20, 2007School Dismissal at 3:00PM due to MCAS testing
March 20, 2007Affinity Group 12:30 PM
March 21, 2007MCAS, Grade 5
March 21, 2007Evening Neighborhood Meeting with Dr. Quarcoo - Claire Ryan-Robertson & James Robertson's Home 7:00PM
March 21, 2007School Dismissal at 12:30PM due to MCAS testing
March 22, 2007MCAS, Grade 5
March 22, 2007MCAS, Grade 3
March 22, 2007Musical at Bigelow for Grade 5, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
March 23, 20075th Grade Hyde Center Child/Parent Activity 7:00  - 9:00PM
March 23, 2007MCAS, Grade 3
March 26, 2007MCAS, Grade 3
March 26, 2007METCO Parents' Council Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 PM  Roxbury
March 26, 2007School Committee Meeting, Final Vote on Budget 7:30 PM
March 27, 2007Affinity Group 12:30 PM
March 27, 2007MCAS, Grade 3
March 27, 2007Cabot School Public Meeting: Traffic & Parking  6:00 - 7:30PM Cabot School, Room #113
March 28, 2007MCAS, Grade 4
March 28, 2007Creative Arts & Sciences Grade 1 Dan Perlman
March 28, 2007Discussion for parents & teachers on "Allowing Childhood", focusing on aspects of the book "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee" by Wendy Mogel  7:00pm Cabot Library
March 29, 2007MCAS, Grade 4
March 29, 2007EARLY RELEASE DAY, 12:30pm
March 30, 2007MCAS, Grade 4
April 2, 2007Passover begins at Sundown
April 2, 2007MCAS Make-Up
April 3, 2007MCAS Make-Up
April 4, 2007MCAS Make-Up
April 4, 2007Goldin Award for Excellence in Education Awards 7:00PM Day Middle School
April 5, 2007CA&S - Historical Perspectives Helen Keller visits 2nd Grade - 1:45 PM
April 6, 2007Good Friday, NO SCHOOL
April 9, 2007School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM
April 9, 2007CASP Annual Meeting & Coffee 5:00 PM
April 9, 2007School Council 5:00 - 7:00 PM
April 9, 2007Mohammed Camara, Drumming Workshop, Music Room, Grade 5  8:50 - 11:45
April 10, 2007Mohammed Camara, Drumming Workshop, Music Room, Grade 4 8:50 - 10:45
April 10, 2007Parent to Parent Series, Grade 5 Parents
April 10, 2007Invention Invasion, 5:30-7 PM

 Marilynne’s Message
Health & Wellness Initiative:
As the district prepares to launch our newest physical education Health & Wellness initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, that brings a nutrition experience to grades 4 & 5 this spring and cardiovascular equipment, I think these notes are quite fitting.

Keep Your Children Mentally and Physically Fit

Healthy kids – that’s what every family wants.  Here are some important things to think about in terms of your child’s mental and physical health.

Mental Health

They need their sleep.  Children need 10 hours of sleep each night to be well rested and ready to do their best.  Keep the TV out of their bedroom and have a firm “lights off” policy, with a little flexibility on Friday and Saturday nights.  Without enough sleep, they simply can’t cope with the physical and mental work of being a kid.

Keep the lines open.  As busy as you are, it is essential to be available when your children have something they need to talk to you about.  Set up a code word, something silly, like “banana”, that they can mention to you when they have something troubling them.  Let them know that the code word isn’t to be used lightly – like when a sibling is bothering them.  When they do call you aside for something serious, give them your full attention.

“Counseling” is not a shameful word.  School counselors offer wonderful services to children and their families facing tough times.  Think of this – each year in school is brand new to your child, with entirely new issues to deal with, but the counselors at the school have the gift of perspective.  They’ve seen hundreds of kids go through the same “growing up” processes, which means that they can help your child to see that everyone has challenges at one time or another, and there are lots of ways to fix them.

Eating and Drinking

Ditch the junk.  We all need a minimum of five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, so stock up on fresh fruit and 100 percent fruit juice drinks.  If your kids eat school cafeteria food, encourage them to take as many fruits and vegetables as they are allowed to have – and eat them before they start to eat their main dish.  If you pick their lunches, stop including cookies and high-fat snacks. Substitute pretzels or light popcorn and fresh or dried fruit.

Watch what you drink.  Water is absolutely the best thirst quencher around – zero calories, always available, and free.  Sodas sweetened with sugar or syrups provide hundreds of empty calories.  And, as great as milk is for growing bodies (adults too), it’s important to choose low-fat or fat-free milk instead of whole milk.

Physical Health

Move it.  Go for family walks, runs, or bike rides several days a week.  Have a family fitness “club”, charting everyone’s progress on everything from shooting hoops to jumping rope.  If possible, join a local YMCA or community fitness center.  Signing up for classes or sports clinics makes it even easier to remember to work out.

Keep your home smoke-free.  If you or other adults in your household smoke, do your children a lifelong favor – never smoke in the house or in a car with them.  Second – hand smoke can lead to a number of serious health problems, from breathing difficulties to cancer.  Quit if you can.  Cut back as much as you can.  And do everything you can to keep your children from ever taking up the habit.

Don’t overlook checkups.  Fluoride treatments and early detection of cavities or gum problems can save your children toothaches and other dental problems.  The same goes for doctor’s appointments – an ounce of prevention really is a pound of cure.  A national program is in place to help families who can’t afford medical insurance for their children.  See your school nurse or state health agency for details.

There’s so much to worry about when you have children at home. But remember this:  Keeping them healthy – both mentally and physically – is your most important job.
Reproduced from National Association of Elementary School Principals
RP 30:7

  PTO Pen
Although the Book Fair is a long-standing tradition at Cabot School, this year we added some new twists!  We hope you were able to join the Cabot Community for our first ever ‘Bedtime at the Bookfair’.  Over 300 people came out for the evening (many in their PJ’s) and listened to bedtime stories, enjoyed comforting refreshments and had family fun while purchasing books to benefit the PTO.  Also, for the first time this year, we had a ‘teacher wish list’, from which books could be purchased for your child’s classroom.  Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the Book Fair, and a special thank you to Lani Gerson, Librarian Extraordinaire and to Lisa Porter, the Chair of the Book Fair Committee!

Congratulations to our own Mrs. Moriarty for receiving the Goldin Foundation Award for Excellence!  The Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education recognizes and rewards educators who have made outstanding contributions in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has sought to foster the respect for and appreciation of educators.  Ms. Moriarty is one of 5 Boston Area Teachers and 1 of 2 Newton Teachers to win this award. We will be celebrating her achievement at a reception on April 4th at 7:00PM at Day Middle School.  Come join us!

Oh Baby...…actually, we mean Babies! On behalf of the Cabot PTO, we would like to extend congratulations to Mrs. Lucas on the birth of her daughter, to Mr. Miller on the birth of his daughter and to Mr. Springer on the birth of his son!  We wish them much joy and many restful nights!

The Traffic and Parking Safety Committee is still brainstorming ideas to alleviate congestion next year.  We have applied to participate in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation ‘Safe Routes to School’ (SRS) Program.  This Program encourages walking to school and helps provide resources for traffic reduction and safety.  The Committee and the Safe Routes to School Program will work together to promote awareness, safety and personal responsibility for all of us who travel to and from Cabot School on a daily basis.

Finally, don’t miss one of the last 2 Fireside Chat’s – Pick one – either March 21st or April 24th. Come out and enjoy an evening with Dr. Quarcoo and your neighbors.  Ask all those questions you’ve been wondering about, or just get to know your school Principal a bit better in these series of informal get-togethers. Hope to see you there!

Jo Doherty
PTO co-President Mary Kathryn Fallon
PTO co-President
Recent  Events at cabot
Cabot Book Fair 

Cabot school enjoyed a great book fair last week. It took many hands during the week to make the fair a success. Thank you to Kate Johnson for gathering a terrific group of volunteers including Jennifer Roberts, Julia Hardy, Alice Cunningham, Daphne Potter, Kelly Phillips, Sarah Ecker, Janet Lin, Andrea Plotkin, Chris Kjellson, Joanne Gatnick, Michelle Markert, and Julie Bourgoin. 

Special thanks to Kate Johnson, Suzy Enyeart, Alice Cunningham and Janet Hart for their efforts in planning and organizing "Bedtime at the Book Fair," the evening event. Raffle prizes were generously donated by the Dreese family. Guest readers made the book reading portion of the night complete. Thanks to Lynda Cain, Marilynne Quarcoo, Lisa Carbone, Eileen Morrison, Erin Delaney, and Ruy Cardoso for lending their time and voices. Thanks to all the fifth grade students who read stories in the library. You really added a nice touch to the book fair this year. 

Most importantly, a huge thank you goes out to Lani Gerson for her commitment and dedication to making the book fair a special and wonderful event. 

The total sales have not yet been reported but the PTO made $1,250 in used book sales which includes sales of food, drink and raffles from the evening event. 

Happy Reading, Lisa Porter, Book Fair Chair 

Upcoming Events at cabot
Cabot Math Challenge

Fireside Chats

Public Meeting – 
Tuesday, 
 March 27th
6:00 – 7:30PM
Cabot School, Room #113

Allowing Childhood – An Evening Discussion

Invention Invasion

 The Cabot Yard Sale at the Cabot Fair Math Challenge #5 Due Today!
Don't forget to turn in your Math Challenge Solution Sheet today!  Remember, trying to solve the problem is more important than getting the correct answer, and you don't have to answer every question - just do the ones that suit you!

Fireside Chat Tomorrow Night – 7:00PM 
Claire-Ryan Robertson & James Robertson’s Home
Come out and join Dr. Quarcoo and your neighbors tomorrow night for the next Fireside Chat!  RSVP to the hosts directly and enjoy and evening!  If you are unable to attend tomorrow’s meeting, put April 24th at 6:30PM on your calendar at the home of Monelisa & Donald Neville! 

Public Meeting for neighbors of Cabot School and the Cabot Community
Dr. Quarcoo, on behalf of the Cabot School community, has extended an invitation for neighbors of Cabot School to join in a public meeting with members of the city and school departments and school community to discuss parking and traffic-related matters, particularly in respect to the addition of the two new modulars scheduled for installation for use beginning with the upcoming academic year. 

Allowing Childhood - An Evening Discussion
Wednesday, March 28th, 7:00 – 9:00pm at Cabot School. It’s tough being a parent and a kid in 2007.  Join us for a facilitated discussion with Cabot parents and teachers.
We will use Wendy Mogel’s Book “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children”, as a launching point for our conversation.  We will begin with a general discussion on determining realistic expectations for each child and resisting over-scheduling.  Breakout groups will follow the discussion. 
The objective for the evening is to start a dialogue about how to reduce the stress and pressure on students, parents and teachers in the Cabot community. Planning Group:  Anya Bassett, Emily Hess, Lani Gerson, and Margaret Hannah.
Invention Invasion
It’s Invention Invasion (II) time again! This fun, whole school, optional event is held on Tuesday, April 10th from 5:30-7pm. Entry forms need to be returned by March 30th. The I I team visited your child(ren)'s classroom last week to hand out event information and the entry form. They also talked about simple inventions that have changed our lives as well as some amazing inventions that will be part of our future.
We will again have a scientist affiliated with High Touch High Tech, a national organization, who will conduct hands-on science experiments during Invention Invasion. This year we are also pleased to have David Gullette, a Simmons professor, who has developed technology such as a simple water purifier for Newton’s sister city, San Juan del Mar in Nicaragua.
This is a great event where your child has the opportunity on April 10th to show off their invention & explain it. It should be a fun event for every one. Hope to see you there!
For additional information please contact the I I co-chairs: Karen Jauregui, 617-527-3154 kjauregui at repligen.com  Karen Clay 617-323-9336 kclay at rcn.com or Vicki Gartland 617-244-9415 vgartland at comcast.net.
The Cabot Yard Sale at the Cabot Fair!
This year the Cabot Fair (May 5th) will include a yard sale for Cabot families and friends.  We will sell toys, games, DVDs/tapes and small house wares.  So if you are doing a little winter/spring cleaning, please think of saving things for the yard sale.  Items should be in good condition (all parts/pieces in tact and in usable condition).  If you have questions about donating items or volunteering to help with the sale, please email Deb Klein at Deb.Klein at ApproachGroup.com.

  Volunteers Needed
Newton Serves – Clean up Cabot School! Newton Serves
The weekend of April 28th & 29th we will be hosting Newton Serves at Cabot.  This year we have extended Newton Serves to Saturday for our own ‘Cabot Clean-up Day’.  We hope as many of you as possible will come out to help spruce up our school!  We will be spreading mulch, painting, hanging shelves and cleaning out areas of Cabot.  The teachers and the committee are busy putting together their wish lists of projects, but of course all this depends on your help – the more volunteers we have, the more we can make a difference!  Please let us know if you have any handy skills, such as carpentry or painting, or if you are just willing to come and work.  If you and your family are able to come lend a hand, please contact Jo Doherty at jcdoherty11 at comcast.net or Mary Kathryn Fallon at MaryKathF at aol.com.

The Cabot Fair is May 5 –
Half the fun is volunteering!
In the next month you will be receiving a call from a room parent, asking you to volunteer for one or more time slots at the Cabot Fair.  But why wait!  Early-bird volunteers help out our planning enormously.   Choose your preferred time slot: 9:30-11:00, 11:00-12:30, 12:30-2:00, or 2:00-3:30…and contact Volunteer Central at politicalresources at hotmail.com or call at (617) 527-4188.

Also, if anyone interested in helping out with the Cabot Fair Raffle, please contact Kate Johnson at kate at textreviews.com. 

CABOT BROADCAST
Lost & Found

Public Hearing on Next Year’s School Budget

Food Services News

Registration for Next Year at Cabot! Lost & Found
Have you noticed our lost and found bin is overflowing?  Are you missing those fancy ski gloves or hat, that new sweatshirt or jacket?  There are even lunch boxes and a pair of boots in there.  Please check it out and make sure you claim all your belongings!  We will be emptying the bin in the next week and donating all unclaimed items to The Second Step and Morgan Memorial Goodwill 

PUBLIC HEARING ON NEXT YEAR’S SCHOOL BUDGET

Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Day Middle School auditorium

Has the School Committee taken the right approach this year?  They’d like to hear from you.  Please attend the public hearing on Thursday night and let them know if they are on the right track.

By a “straw vote” on Monday night, the School Committee and Mayor unanimously approved the Superintendent’s proposed budget for next year.  The proposal contains no cuts, restores some programs and includes about $1 million in new initiatives -- BUT -- it is $4.8 million short of the Mayor’s initial funding allocation to the schools.

The Mayor has pledged to work to bridge this gap in funding.  On Monday night he stated that the “maintenance of effort” portion of the proposed budget is attainable, but that funding for the $1 million in new initiatives, while worthy, was uncertain.  He will release new local revenue estimates in one week and will present analysis of additional State funds in mid-April.

Many School Committee members expressed confidence in the proposed budget—and in this “no-cuts” approach -- but shared concerns about securing the funding and the City’s ability to sustain this level of funding in the future.

For additional information about the hearing, contact sarahecker at comcast.net and/or visit http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/

Elementary Food Service News
Student Account Balances:
As we get closer to the end the year we want to inform you that any credit or debit balance left on your child's account will carry forward to the next school year.  Due to the February 14th 2007 snow storm we have issued a credit of $3.25 to all students who had pre-ordered lunch for that day.

On-line ordering:
We encourage all parents to sign up for the on-line ordering system. This will allow you the convenience of filling out the menu on-line and the ability to view your child's account balance at any time. In addition, this system allows us to communicate via e-mail any relevant information. 

Elementary office:
We have a great staff in the Elementary office that will be happy to assist you.  If you have any comments, concerns, questions or issues please call
Karen or Diane at 617-559-6315. Keeping you current is our goal through a variety of frequently updated options:  NPS Website: You can also view our web-site for the most current information. www.newton.k12.ma.us  Menu: On the back of the monthly menu we also provide current information.  Need to contact us?  E-mail: Food_Service at newton.k12.ma.us.  You will get an automated response with the most frequently asked questions. If your question was not answered you will be contacted within 24 hours. Phone:  Elementary Food Service Office 617-559-6315;  Food Service Main Office 617-559-9015  You may also contact your lunch manager who will have the most current information and will be able to answer any questions.

KINDERGARTEN and GRADES ONE THROUGH FIVE: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2007-2008  SCHOOL YEAR
Children who will be 5-years-old on or before August 31, 2007 are eligible to enter kindergarten in the Newton Public Schools in September 2007.  Students who will be 6-years old on or before August 31, 2007 are eligible to enter grade one. Please share this information with anyone with in your neighborhood.  We encourage all residents who anticipate enrolling a child in kindergarten or any grade for next school year to contact the school now at 617.559.9400. Ms. Driscoll, our school secretary will answer your questions and provide all the necessary documents and requirements for school enrollment.

PLANS FOR 2007- 2008
Do you anticipate any changes for next school year? If you have a move to a new home in Newton or elsewhere, please contact Ms. Driscoll at 617.559.9400 immediately. We will keep your information confidential until early Spring and will only use this information to help predict our classroom needs for next year.

Fundraising  
Keep Collecting those Box Tops!
Eight Cabot families have done their on-line shopping through the Box Tops Marketplace this year.  We have earned $89.33.  We can do better than that!   More than 8 of us in the Cabot community shop on-line.  It is so easy to register at the Box Tops website http://www.boxtops4education.com.  Once you register, you can begin your shopping either at the Cabot PTO shopping link, http://cabotpto.org/shop.html, or at the Box Tops Marketplace, http://www.boxtops4education.com/Marketplace.  It’s fast, efficient and  free.  If everyone in the Cabot community did his/her on-line shopping this way, the Cabot PTO will really start to earn a lot of money.  This translates to more money being spent on our children’s enrichment at Cabot.  So go register at: http://www.boxtops4education.com  If you have any questions, contact Isabelle Thacker: www.isabelle at thackers.net  617/795-2332

Community News Newton UNplugged
March is UNplugged and Connected Month in Newton.  This is a great time for children of all ages and their families to explore/make connections without using electronics!  For a month's worth of suggested activities, go to: http://www.ncscweb.org/unplugged_calendarfinal07.pdf
Meeting of The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education 
Wednesday, April 4th, 7:30pm at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460. “Fiddle and Focus:  Sensory Integration Strategies for School Success” by Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Executive Director and Founder of Occupational Therapy Associates–Watertown, MA. Learn how to help children access their abilities by enhancing their focus with sensory activities that help keep their bodies calmed or busy while their minds learn.  Discussion will include the impact of sensory processing issues on learning motor skills, behavior, coordination and social relationships.  Home and school accommodations and strategies will be shared.  We will discuss children with a range of diagnoses, including ADD, PDD, Aspergers, NVLD, PTSD. Dr. Koomar, is the board president of the SPIRAL Foundation (Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning) and has taught over one hundred courses on sensory integration theory, assessment, and intervention throughout the United States and Canada.

For more information, contact Leslie Lockhart at newtonspedpac at yahoo.com
or 617-527-5046.
Support Groups
Dr. Judie Magidson, Newton educational consultant experienced with
20+ years teaching/counseling students (every subject/grade with a concentration in study skills and reading/writing) is offering support groups for adult family members of children who have ADD/ADHD or other related disabilities.  Groups are filling up fast, so please e-mail me/call as soon as possible.  EMagids at aol.com (617) 527-6654.

Summer Speech and Language Program
Emerson College, Dept. of Communication Sciences & Disorders, is planning to offer a 6-week speech and language therapy program to students in the City of Newton with documented need for services.  Supervised graduate students in speech-language pathology will provide individual, one-on-one therapy, twice a week from July 2nd through August 10th at a Newton location yet to be determined.  The fee is $325.00 for 11, one-hour sessions.  Spaces are limited.  Applications will be available from school speech-language pathologists in March or by contacting Shelley Lipschultz at Emerson College:  (617)-824-8314 or shelley_lipschultz at emerson.edu.

Newton Community Service Center Camps
This April NCSC Summer Day Camp will be heading to Hale Reservation in Westwood for a spring skills team challenge.
This summer, the day camp runs from June 25th through August 24th. For more detailed information or to register go to www.ncscweb.org or contact Jennifer Capello McAuliffe at 617-969-5906 Ext. 224 or email jcapello at ncscweb.org.
NewKids Spring
Registration is now underway for Spring classes through Newton Community Education. Coming up at Cabot is Chess on Fridays. We have two adult-child cooking classes on Saturdays at Newton North: the ever-popular Chocolate Connection, and Cookie Decorating. Also on Saturdays we offer T-Ball, and Soccer (Soccer for Moms too!). For 5th graders we have Create a TV Show on Fridays at NewTV, and Babysitting on Saturdays at North. Now's the time to plan your spring vacation; we have the following great options for you to choose from: Innovations, Multi-Sports, Basketball, Babysitting, Marble Madness, and Fencing. For more information or to view our complete course offering (including summer), call our office at 617-559-6999, or visit our website at www.newtoncommunityed.org.
"The Sound of Music"
Summer Theatre classes for Grades 1 - 6.
Arts in the Parks, Newton Parks and Recreation Department, will offer a Summer Youth Theatre program of "The Sound of Music" for Grades 1 - 6, Mondays through Fridays: June 28 - July 25 from 8:45am - Noon at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville.
Children will learn the A-Z's of putting on a play including rehearsing scenes, planning costumes, painting scenery, music and dancing.  A terrific opportunity for kids to develop poise and have a great time.  Performance takes place at the last session. Early registration is urges as enrollment is limited to 30 to allow parts for everyone.  Fee:  $650. Call 617 796-1540 or 617 965-1238.
KLS Fundraiser
The KLS Medical Foundation is hosting a reception and screening of the award winning film Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...And Spring on Sunday, April 29th, from 4-6:30pm at the West Newton Cinema.  General admission tickets are $50, which benefit the KLS Foundation.  The whole community is invited!
Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) is a rare medical disorder characterized mainly by periods of excessive sleep. The KLS Foundation's goals are to raise awareness, support scientific research, and to find effective treatment and a cure for Kleine-Levin Syndrome.  The Foundation provides information and support to those diagnosed with KLS and their families. For more information and tickets, please contact Bernice Lerner at 617-945-5443 or Rachel Goldstein at 617-332-9482.

Project Bread – Walk for Hunger
Project Bread - The Walk for Hunger would like to invite members of the Cabot School community to participate in The Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 6th.
Project Bread, the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. Through the Walk, Project Bread is able to provide millions of dollars each year in privately donated funds to over 400 emergency food programs in 135 communities across the Commonwealth.  The 20-mile walk begins on the Boston Common and winds through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, and Cambridge before returning to the Boston Common.
Last year, almost 900 school organizations were involved in the Walk for Hunger and of those, 650 school organizations formed Walk teams and joined together on the Common to make a positive difference in the lives of hungry families in their neighborhoods and hometowns. For more information, go to www.projectbread.org/walk. 
A Good Time for a Good Cause
On Saturday March 24 at 6pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Parish of St. Paul, will hold an evening of “Jazz and Jambalaya” at St. John’s Church, 297 Lowell Avenue, Newtonville. In preparation for an aid trip to New Orleans, this family event will feature dancing to live music provided by “Pauli B’s Allstars”, mask making, and lots of good food in the Mardi Gras tradition. Costumes are encouraged. The recent children’s book, “The Storm”, will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the effort. “The Storm” author, Barbara Barbieri McGrath, will be on hand to sign copies. Suggested donation is $25.00 per person, $50.00 maximum per family. 100% of funds raised will be used to purchase tools and supplies for the rebuilding effort, and gift cards to be donated to persons in need. Over the course of the week in New Orleans, volunteers will salvage belongings, gut damaged homes, fix and deliver meals, help in providing preventative medical services, and offer respite care, listening to people’s stories and giving them a break from the difficulties of daily life in a devastated area.
Those who aren't able to attend the party can make a tax-deductible donation of money or a gift card that will be used for the re-building effort. For more information, contact St. John’s Church, 617 964 2591 www.saintjohnschurch.com, or The Parish of St. Paul, 617 527 6642 www.parishofstpaul.org.

Sunday School for Jewish Studies
The Sunday School for Jewish Studies is now accepting registrations for grades K-7 for the 2007-2008 school year.  The Sunday School provides a liberal, egalitarian approach to Jewish education in classes held Sunday mornings at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill.  Students may enter in any grade.  Interfaith and nontraditional families are welcome. For additional information about the Sunday School for Jewish Studies, please call 617-264-8855 or visit www.sundayschoolforjewishstudies.org.
Solar Panels for Newton Schools
Help create more clean wind power and earn a free 2kW solar panel array for a Newton school. 

If 150 Newton households or businesses join New England Wind Fund by March 31, 2007, the Mass Technology Collaborative (MTC) will provide a solar panel array for a Newton middle school.  This is a worthy initiative to help continue building support for alternative energy sources. Each one time $100 or $5 a month donation will count towards the solar challenge grant. Each contribution signifies that approximately 2000 kilowatt hours of energy will be generated by wind, not coal or oil, and that 2204 lbs. of C02 will not be expended into the atmosphere. The donations will be matched by Mass Technology Collaborative only until March 31st, and the 2KW solar array will be provided to a Newton middle school. Be sure on your donation to state that it is for Newton, so that credit is given appropriately. Cambridge and Lexington have already achieved the 150 new member goal. Go to www.NewEnglandWind.org or (800) 287-3950 to sign up.

Newton Symphony Orchestra
The Newton Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Rink opens their next subscription concert with Beethoven's Overture to the
Consecration of the House. This is followed by the rarely heard Dietter,
Concerto for Two Bassoons from about 1780 and concludes with the great
Mahler, Symphony #1, The Titan. The concert will be held on Sunday March 25th at 7:30 pm at the Rashi Auditorium, 15 Walnut Park, Newton Corner. Tickets are $25 and $30, with a $5 discount for students and seniors, and groups over 10. Children under 16 get in for $10. Steven Ledbetter, former annotator for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will give a free pre-concert lecture at 6:30 pm. There will be a post-concert reception, at which the audience is invited to meet the soloists, the orchestra and the conductor. For tickets contact the NSO office at 617-965-2555 or visit the NSO website at www.newtonsymphony.org.

Harry the Dirty Dog
ArtsPower National Touring Theatre will present the children's classic:  Harry the Dirty Dog, Sunday, April 1, 1:30pm at the Newton North High School Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs.  Reserved Seating:  $10 in advance  $12 at the door.  Call  617 796-1540 to reserve tickets.

Mary Kathryn Fallon
Cabot PTO Co-President
10 Worth Circle,
Newton, MA 02458
617-244-1821
MaryKathF at aol.com

________________________________________________________________________
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