The April 4 School Committee meeting contained only two significant agenda items: approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for Newton Public Schools (NPS) and discussion of busing services provided to some Newton private-school students. Superintendent Anna Nolin began the meeting with her regular Superintendent’s update, which included acknowledging feedback…
Fig City News
For the last 18 months, the Newton Police Department (NPD) has been working to become fully accredited through the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC). If all goes well, the final step will be an On-Site Assessment for Accelerated Accreditation over April 23-24. During the On-Site Assessment, a facilitator from MPAC…
Recent honors, appointments, and arrivals for people who live or work in Newton…
Many are concerned about plastic pollution and waste but get overwhelmed thinking about what can be done about it. Plastic and other kinds of packaging are so pervasive in modern life that it can seem impossible to do without them. But as chef Anne-Marie Bonneau has said, “We don’t need…
Highlights this Week: See below for details about… City Council Finance will meet on Monday to consider: Zoning and Planning will meet jointly with the Planning & Development Board on Monday to hold public hearings on possible ordinance amendments to: …and will also consider: Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday to consider:…
Scarves rippled, finger cymbals clinked, and bodies whirled at Grace Episcopal Church on April 6, as belly dancers performed during the Spring Hafla (“party” in Arabic). The sixth annual program, run by Newton’s Andromeda Belly Dance Boston, was supported by grants from the Newton Cultural Council and Newton Community Pride.…
On April 15, Fig City News board member Tamirirashe Gambiza ran the 128th Boston Marathon to raise funds for Fig City News with a goal to raise $5,000 to expand FCN’s payments to local reporters and student interns. He raised $5,733 — and he thanks all 64 donors who are helping…
Hundreds of Newtonians gathered to celebrate the Indian Spring Festival of Holi on March 30 at Newton City Hall. Newton Holi was organized by Indian-American Newtonians to share this beautiful and inclusive festival with friends and neighbors. Holi celebrates diversity, equality, and love. Everyone becomes immersed in the colors of Holi…
March 27 and April 1 meetings addressed IT, Food Service, and School Choice program. The School Committee held a special budget meeting on Wednesday March 27 to focus on the Fiscal Year 2025 proposed Newton Public Schools (NPS) budget for non-instructional areas such as technology, transportation, and human resources. This…
Designer Sebastian Ellington Flying Eagle Ebarb will soon start the complex task of reimaging the City seal of Newton and recently received feedback from community members during a hybrid working group meeting on March 28. Hattie Kerwin Derrick, Newton’s Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion and LGBTQ+ Liaison, asked attendees…