Entrepreneur Brings Passion for Education to Community

Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment program, is opening a new center in Leominster at 21 Sack Boulevard. The North Central Massachusetts  Chamber of Commerce invites the public to attend the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Event on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to meet local educators and entrepreneurs.

Kumon’s individualized approach helps children progress by ability rather than age or grade. More than 280,000 preschool to high school aged children across the United States are developing their math and reading skills independently and gaining confidence through the Kumon Method of Learning.  The Kumon Center of Leominster joins the more than 1,500 U.S. instructors committed to helping children excel through the self-learning program.

“At Kumon, we believe children have unlimited potential to succeed,” said small business owner, Issumael Nzamutuma. “My goal is to help children of our community love learning and understand that they can learn and master the subject called Math.”

Ribbon Cutting Event:

Day: Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: 21 Sack Boulevard, Leominster

Best Visuals for Photography: Arrive at 4:00 p.m. to capture a shot of the ribbon cutting ceremony with local mayor, Dean J. Mazzarella, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Roy Nascimento, and District Education Superintendent.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, American students were significantly outperformed by 29 nations in mathematics. America’s stagnant performance and lack of advanced students impacts the country’s future growth, which is why Nzamutuma cares deeply about helping Leominster students in his after-school enrichment program achieve academic success. Many Kumon students study advanced math, which includes materials two to three years above their grade level.

Instructor Nzamutuma, saw her kindergarten grand-daughter develop a love of learning in Kumon, as well as discipline, accuracy, and focus. She is now studying one year beyond her school grade level. Prior to opening Kumon of Leominster, Instructor Nzamutuma spent many years teaching Math and Economics in addition to his administrative responsibilities in Colleges and Universities. He was constantly concerned by a growing number of first year college students who have to take remedial courses in Math, English, or both.

Kumon of Leominster class hours are: Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Students study for approximately 30 minutes per subject at 21 Sack Boulevard, Leominster, MA 01453 and have daily assignments to complete at home. For more information, or to schedule a free placement test, please call 978 706 2400 or email Leominster_ma@ikumon.com.

About Kumon Math & Reading Centers:

Kumon is an after-school math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has over four million students enrolled in nearly 25,000 learning centers in 50 countries and regions.  The company’s North American headquarters is located in Teaneck, N.J. Visit Kumon.com to learn more.

 

Many Designed for Workplace Readiness

Monty Tech’s fall 2018 session of its Continuing Education Program is off to an exciting start with over 30 new classes, many aimed to prepare adults for some of the fastest growing career fields.

According to Program Director Mary May-Lucchese, the program’s main mission is to offer courses designed to meet the needs of residents, and the area’s workforce development pipeline.

“We are answering the call with expanded workforce-readiness classes. For example, we have added the Continuing Education hours for the Construction Supervisor License.  Our Medical Career program is growing with the addition of Pharmacy Technician Certification, Medical Terminology and Medical Coding. These courses augment our existing Phlebotomy, EKG, Certified Clinical Medical Assisting, and CNA/HHA offerings, giving students the opportunity to stack their credentials,” Ms. May-Lucchese explained.

A unique feature of the program is that students successfully completing the medical courses have the opportunity to experience a very diverse externship in a number of physicians’ offices, hospitals and other medical sites located in Leominster, Fitchburg and Worcester.

Another way the program is designed to meet residents’ changing needs is by increasing one-night personal enrichment classes. “We found our students who wanted to participate in some of these classes did not always have the ability to commit long-term,” she said.

Also new this fall is an on-line career course component.  Students can access career certification and licensure classes through the program with the new Ed2go partnership.  “This is another example of our efforts to support the diverse needs of our community,” Ms. May-Lucchese stated.

She added that alumni and seniors are taking advantage of the 10% course discount, and area veterans qualify for 15% course discount in both the career and personal enrichment classes.

“As we look ahead to the Spring Session, we have started the process to map out two new classes.  A Welding III class will assist students in preparing for the AWS D1.1 Certification.  We were fortunate to receive grant funds from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts to establish an Oil Burner Technician Certification. These are two major examples of our future impactful workforce readiness programs,” she said.

For more information or to register for classes, contact Mary May-Lucchese at (978)345-9220 Ext. 5221 or email at may-lucchese-mary@montytech.net.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-places-7th-annual-harvest-fundraiser-tickets-49174914493 

Help us raise $15,000 for the 2019 school year.

We have already raised $5,500 and you can help us make it to our goal by joining us at our fundraiser this year!

In the fall of 2017, we piloted our very first youth education program Teaching Garden for Kids (TG4K); a program that focuses on healthy eating, gardening and the environment.

We started in one Fitchburg school and at 6 months into the pilot were teaching the program in five schools in Fitchburg and Leominster with over 90 students participating! Based on our success piloting the program and current demand to continue the program in existing schools and offer it in new schools, we need to raise $15,000 for the 2019 school year.

Join us and –

• Enjoy delicious seasonal appetizers from Eating In Catering;
• Sample local brews from Moon Hill Brewing and chat with the crew about their craft;
• Be one of the judges in our local, seasonal dessert competition;
• Enjoy live music from Fields
• Cheer for our community award recipients;
• Meet your local farmer;
• Take part in our local-themed raffle

Get your tickets now and save! Early bird ticket price $40

(after 9/10 tickets will be $45)

Free Public Talk Coming to the Fitchburg Historical Society

The Fitchburg Historical Society will present a free history discussion featuring new research on a family that moved to Fitchburg in the booming 1870’s. It is entitled “When Samuel Holton Came to Fitchburg” and will be presented by local historian and genealogist Sara Campbell on Thursday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Samuel and Samantha Holton came to Fitchburg during its largest economic expansion in the late 1800’s and became successful farmers, political leaders and local philanthropists. Local historian and genealogist Sara Campbell has unearthed original documents that shed light on their triumphs and tragedies, as she traces the Holton family along the Fitchburg timeline.

When Campbell encountered the story of Samuel Holton and his family, she was intrigued about the decision that sent him suddenly east to Fitchburg in late middle age, even though his family had been based in Northfield, Massachusetts for six generations. Why did he uproot his family? What was his impact on Fitchburg? What was the city like for newcomers like Samuel and Samantha Holton?

“Everyone has a story,” according to Sara. “I found that the Holton’s were a fascinating family, a real New England success story. My research makes it possible to ‘get to know’ those who have come before us.”

Sara Campbell has taught genealogical research in Fitchburg’s ALFA program. She is a founder of the Turners Falls Genealogy Gathering, and a member of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium. She has also taught as an historian in residence in the Erving Public Schools and has published widely in genealogy and Massachusetts history.

This program is funded in part by the Fitchburg Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information on the Mass Cultural Council, visit http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/index.asp.

The Fitchburg Historical Society and Crocker Family Center for the History of Fitchburg is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg, in the historic Phoenix building. There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible.

For more information, call 978-345-1157, write welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com or visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org .