Monday Essentials: 'Common Core Outreach'; Celebrate Chinese New Year

Here are some things to know about this week, Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, in and around Barrington:

The Barrington Education Foundation invites you to “Common Core Outreach,” a presentation by the RI Department of Education (RIDE) and the Barrington Public Schools, in the high school auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 pm. Phyllis Lynch and MaryAnn Snider of RIDE and two of the state’s educator ambassadors, Pam O’Day and Kristen Sparfven, will share the stage with Barrington Superintendent Mike Messore and other teachers and staff. A question and answer session will follow the presentation on the Common Core State Standards, adopted in Rhode Island in 2010. The new standards have sparked much debate in Barrington recently because of a Barrington-based citizens group, Stop Common Core RI, that is trying, at least, to slow down the implementation because of their concerns about the cost and impact on Barrington’s widely renowned schools. 

“Mamma Mia!,” the second movie in the Barrington Public Library’s Musical Film Series, airs Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 pm in the theater-like auditorium. The movie stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried and Colin Firth.Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to the hotel her mother runs on a small Greek island. It features 22 classic ABBA hits.

A weekly “brown bag lunch” series for East Bay business women continues on Tuesday at the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, 16 Cutler St., Warren. The women’s winter series is hosted by W.E.B.O.N.D. (Women's Empowerment and Business Owners Networking Development) and sponsored by RE/MAX River’s Edge from 12 to 1 pm.

St. John's Episcopal Church, 191 County Rod, hosts on Wednesday at 7 pm the second part of a three-part Parenting Series titled "Practicing Internet Safety: Exploring the Dangers of Sexting, Preventing Cyberbullying, and Managing Private Information Online." Dr. Lawrence P. Filippelli will offer valuable information to parents and anyone who is interested in children from cyber bullying, sexting, cybermobbing and online predators.  His presentation will cover: 

• How predators target children and what you can do to protect them 
• Dangers of posting inappropriate pictures and messages on social networking sites 
• Information on the consequences of poor behavior choices online 
• Cyberbullying and cyberstalking. 

The Barrington Recreation Department offers on Thursday evening in the middle school an open gym for adult men’s basketball at 5:30 pm and co-ed badminton at 7:30 pm. 

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at two locations in Barrington next weekend. Cultural Center of East Bay hosts a celebration on Friday at the Barrington Baptist Church starting at 4:30 pm. The celebration includes student performances, Kung-Fu and Chinese calligraphy, a silent auction of and paintings of a well-known artist, and a surprise program for kids.  All children will get a goodie bag.  All tickets will be pre-sold to avoid selling tickets at the door. Adults are $25; children 12 and under  are $12. Get tickets from the Cultural Society’s website: www.csebri.org or go to th BBC office 10-5 p.m. Mon- Fri.

Then on Saturday, from 5 to 7 pm, the Bay Spring Community Center offers a breath-taking Lion's Dance performed by Rhode Island Kung Fu and the Lion's Dance group, observe a traditional tea ceremony, taste traditional Chinese food as well as a community potluck, relax with the ancient performance of tai chi and learn about the history of Chinese New Year by Cathie Ho Nadeau, of the Great Green Wall Foundation. The event is free but donations are appreciated.