Brookline High School goes under lockdown after ‘swatting’

Brookline High School had a 40-minute “precautionary lockdown” on Thursday morning after an “unverified threat” was called in.

Head of School Anthony Meyer alerted families, assured them that the school was under lockdown, and later followed up to let them know it was deemed a “swatting” hoax.

“Swatting” refers to a dangerous type of prank or harassment involving reporting violence or a threat at a location so police will rush there with a SWAT team.

Vivi Smilgius of Brookline News has the whole story.

West Suburban YMCA is raffling off Super Bowl tickets

The West Suburban YMCA is running a raffle for what they’re calling the “Ultimate Super Bowl Experience.”

You can win two tickets to Super Bowl LX in California to cheer on the New England Patriots as they face the Seattle Seahawks, a $1,000 airfare credit, a four-night stay at Hotel VIA in San Francisco, exclusive admission to a Friday night welcome party and Sunday tailgate and more.

Raffle tickets are $150 each. But you’ll have to hurry and sign up, because the drawing is Friday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. There are only 300 tickets available. Get your raffle tickets here.

Proceeds will benefit the West Suburban YMCA Annual Fund, which provides financial assistance to local families in need.

Laredo is listening

Mayor Marc Laredo has begun a winter listening tour around Newton.

Earlier this month Laredo announced the series of events—in which he’ll meet with residents in each ward—as a way to engage with constituents in person.

The tour started Thursday night at Memorial Spaulding Elementary School in Ward 8.

Tuesday at 7 p.m., he’ll be in Ward 5, at Angier Elementary School. On Wednesday, it’s Ward 7’s turn, as the mayor will be at Bigelow Middle School. The full schedule of listening events can be found here. RSVP is recommended, in case of snow cancellations.

Newton North students picked for green energy challenge

Newton North students are stepping up on climate action, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

MassEnergize—a renewable energy advocacy organization that works with local communities, has picked Newton North High School for its Youth Climate Solutions Challenge.

Eight Newton North students, forming the Newton Youth Energizers, will compete with 12 other teams. Their goal is to get 100 Newton households to sign up for MassEnergize Home Energy Assessments by the end of April.

To learn more and sign up, check out the announcement on Green Newton’s website.