 |
Newtowne School is a parent-cooperative preschool serving children ages two to five. Newtowne faculty work closely with families to nurture and stimulate young children as they make the transition from the world of home to the world of school. Parent involvement, both inside and outside the classroom, creates a strong sense of community that enriches the school. Our mission is to:
- provide a warm, caring environment that welcomes children and families of diverse backgrounds.
- encourage young children to explore, experiment, create, and pursue challenging projects.
- develop self-confidence, self-expression, independence, and a love of learning.
- guide children as they learn to play together and negotiate new relationships.
- foster an appreciation of differences in personality and culture.
- promote peace in our classrooms and in the world beyond.
- prepare children, in a gentle way, for a more formal education in the years to come.
Newtowne is a cooperative venture of parents, teachers and children. At Newtowne, parents contribute in the following ways:
- Every parent has a parent job. Parent jobs range from school management and administration to fundraising, enrollment and classroom maintenance.
- Parent-helper in the classroom. About once a month, parents are asked to help out in the classroom. The parent helper provides the morning snack, assists the teachers, and tends to the children. Parent helping allows parents to be actively involved in the classroom and to gain insight into their child’s world.
- Attendance at All-School Meetings. These
are held twice a year and provide opportunities for all
parents to meet other members of the community and
receive orientation to their child's classroom and
parent helping.
- Fundraising events/Spring Fair. Parents are asked to help out at Newtowne School fundraising events and at the annual Spring Fair.
- Work days. Twice a year, parents are asked to meet at the school to clean and prepare the classrooms for the children.
Newtowne classrooms are staffed by DEEC-certified professionals with extensive teaching experience and training in early childhood education. Newtowne teachers are extraordinary, dedicated and energetic professionals with varying backgrounds and a profound commitment to creating an appropriately challenging and safe environment for children.
more information.
Newtowne is located in the historic First Church-Congregational, on the corner of Garden and Mason Streets, across from the Cambridge Common.
Newtowne has three large, bright, well-equipped classrooms, a spacious indoor play space and an enclosed outdoor playground. The older classes also use the playground at the Cambridge Common.
Newtowne children benefit from the school's low child-to-adult ratio. The two-year-olds class, with up to 16 children per day, has 3 teachers and 1 parent helper. The two older classes, also with up to 16 children, have 2 teachers and 1 parent helper each day.
Newtowne opens in mid-September and closes in mid-June. Vacations generally follow the Cambridge Public School calendar. The summer program is offered during the summer.
Newtowne’s summer program runs for 8 weeks, beginning in late June. The program is staffed by Newtowne teachers and features indoor and outdoor play, arts and crafts, singing, kiddie pools, snack, and lunch. The program meets from 9:00 to 1:00 and offers flexible enrollment options.
Newtowne is committed to providing a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic learning environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, or family structure.
Newtowne has a scholarship fund for qualified families and we strongly encourage families seeking financial aid to apply. Please contact our director for more information.
MBTA Accessible: Newtowne is a short walk from Harvard Square and is MBTA accessible.
home
|
|
