This month, the Dewing school is having a “Do Good December” series of daily challenges. Monday’s is: “Notice when you’re hard on yourself or others and be kind instead.” Great advice for a sometimes stressful time of year.

Monday kicks off another great lineup of events at the Library. Some highlights are listed below, and residents are encouraged to check out the full calendar here.

Q&A With Reps Vanna Howard, Tram Nguyen and Dave Robertson
When: Monday, Dec. 6, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Luna Rossa
Confused or concerned about the recent redistricting and its effect on Tewksbury? Come by Luna Rossa to hear from Rep. Tram Nguyen and Rep. Dave Robertson and meet Vanna Howard, Tewksbury’s newest representative. There will be light snacks provided and a cash bar. This meetup is free and drop-ins are welcome, but organizers recommend grabbing a ticket so they know how many to expect.

Tewksbury Beautification Committee
When: Monday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, first floor conference room
Tewksbury has an active Beautification Committee that is always looking for residents and businesses interested in activities such as adopting an island, decorating switch boxes and helping to manage the town’s rain gardens.

From HIV to Covid 19 — The Social and Scientific Response
When: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual, REGISTER HERE
Forty years into the HIV pandemic and two years into the COVID-19 pandemic: We ask where are we, how did we get here and where are we going? Two long-time HIV survivors and an infectious disease specialist reflect on the social and scientific response to two deadly outbreaks. This virtual event is a collaboration between the Reading and Tewksbury libraries.

Tewksbury School Committee
When: Wed. Dec. 8, executive session 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., regular meeting 6:30
Where: TMHS auditorium, TewksburyTV or Comcast (22) and Verizon (34)
Topics include an update on out-of-state and -country field trips, committee reports and a discussion of Aperture Education’s SEL learning system.

One thing the school committee can’t discuss but that parents should know is that Tewksbury teachers are now officially in “work to rule” mode, according to the TTA’s Facebook page. That means they are limiting certain activities (see below). At this time, the school committee and administration have opted to go to mediation, a process in which an impartial mediator from the state Department of Labor Relations sits down with all parties to iron out differences. The TTA has not stated when it will join the administration and SC in that process.

May be an image of text that says 'WHAT EXTRA WORK ARE THEY NOT DOING? Regardless of pay, none of these tasks are required of Tewksbury's educators: .Substitute Coverage Offering more than 1hour Planningor or Chaperoning extra help per week Field Trips Respondingto Planning or Chaperoning emails/ phone calls Social Events (dances, open- outside of school hours mic nights, etc) Attending sporting events Using forms of Private School/ College communication outside of Recommendations phone calls or email'

Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw Committee Open Public Forum
When: Wed., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)
The Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw Committee seeks input on the draft zoning bylaw to be considered at Annual Town Meeting 2022. It can be found here: https://www.tewksbury-ma.gov/zoning-bylaw-committee and click on “Final Zoning Draft” in the left-hand column. For the Committee to evaluate concerns around the proposed zoning bylaw, they ask that residents come with specific references to the area(s) of the proposed zoning bylaw that they see as problematic.

Seasonal Mocktails: The Art Of Non-Alcoholic Mixology
When: Wed., Dec. 8, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, REGISTER HERE
Explore the art of mocktail mixology as Vanessa Young, founder of Thirsty Radish, covers how to make syrups, infusions, beautiful garnishes and customized drinks, along with recipes. We will even explore how to use herbs and spices to approximate the flavors of popular cocktail spirits.

Elementary School Building Committee
When: Thu., Dec. 9, 6 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, small meeting room
Residents can see the items scheduled for discussion here.

Virtual Bestselling Author Series: David Baldacci
When: Thu., Dec. 9, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Zoom. REGISTER HERE
Bestselling author David Baldacci will discuss his latest book, Mercy, which features FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister.

Santa Social
When: Kicks off Friday, Dec. 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Krochmal Farm
Cost: $249 for as many as 10 people. LEARN MORE
Upon your arrival, your Santa Social boarding pass will afford your group an enchanted horse-drawn ride to Santa’s secret world at our farm’s North Pole, where decorations and holiday lights abound. Relish in your children’s wonder and amazement to, not just sit on the Big Guy’s lap, but to have an actual conversation with him. Enjoy your hot chocolate and savor in delight while making s’mores at the roaring fires with Santa and his friends! There are multiple areas for great photo opportunities so don’t forget your camera.

Lorna Garey

Lorna is a 25-year resident of Tewksbury who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek to a free weekly in New London that sent her to interview the pastry chef at Foxwoods.