At last week’s PTO meeting, Superintendent Nolin provided an overview of the process for the search for a new Principal at Bigelow. The principal search process includes opportunities for parents to provide input, serve on a Selection Advisory Committee, and meet finalists as they visit the school.  

• Parents are invited to provide input via the following survey by March 27, 2024 at 5 pm: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MH6CBK9. Information gleaned from the surveys will not only be valuable during the search process, but will also be an excellent resource for the new principal.
• Parents interested in serving as a parent representative for the Selection Advisory Committee can email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.
• Save the date for a Question and Answer session with Finalists on Wednesday, May 1 from 6 to 8 pm. The Question and Answer session will be live with online recording. Questions and feedback will be elicited from the members of the audience and a virtual ranking sheet will be sent to those who attend virtually.  

The timeline for the Principal selection process can be viewed via this link:

Please join us for an Ice Skaking Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Arena this Friday, March 22, 2024 from 9-9:50 pm. Tickets are $15 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event starting at 8:30 pm.

Please save the date, Thursday, April 4th from 7-8 pm, for our Spring PTO meeting. There will be an opportunity to share ideas and learn about PTO positions and volunteer roles for the 2024-25 school year.

Newton South’s College & Career Center student interns and faculty invite you to the 2nd Annual Career Pathways Event on Wednesday March 27th from 6:30-8pm at Newton South High School. Entry is free and open to all!

This event has come together in partnership with MassHire and Newton’s Youth & Young Adult Division of the Social Services Department.

Thank you to all who attended Monday’s PTO meeting with Newton Public Schools (NPS) Superintendent Anna Nolin, School Committee Chair Chris Brezski, and School Committee Member Amy Davenport.

During the Q&A from parents, Dr. Nolin talked about several initiatives and changes that she has planned or hopes to see, including:

• a review of math curriculum, standards, and approaches covering K-12 (to begin Fall 2024)
• increased STEM experiences in elementary schools and a review of STEM offerings following the math review
• working groups with staff on many topics, including ways to provide teachers with more curriculum or teaching resources to free time for other tasks such as grading or feedback to students
• reductions in certain high school class sizes and restoration of certain electives made possible by the teachers new contract and added positions

There was also a discussion about cell phone use in classrooms. There were many possible solutions discussed but any approach (including the current Bigelow policy of keeping cell phones in lockers) depends on parental support.

During the second half of Monday’s PTO meeting, Superintendent Nolin provided an overview of the process for the search for a new Principal at Bigelow and solicited feedback from parents. While Dr. Nolin will make the final decision, input from the Selection Advisory Committee will be key.  The committee will include:

• 5 faculty/staff
• 3 parents
• 1 principal from another school
• 1 coordinator
• the assistant superintendant for secondary education
• the district HR administrator

If you are interested in serving as a parent representative for the Selection Advisory Committee, please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

All PTO members are invited to provide input to the committee at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MH6CBK9

The timeline for the selection process can be viewed via this link:

Don’t miss the Bigelow Drama Program’s production of the Percy Jackson Musical, “The Lightning Thief”! Showtimes are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm. Please note ASL interpretation for the Friday 7 pm and Saturday 2 pm performances.

Get your tickets HERE! Students can also purchase tickets during lunch.

The NPS Budget season for Fiscal Year 2025 begins next week. Superintendent Nolin will present her budget recommendations to the School Committee over a series of meetings beginning next Wednesday, March 20th.

More information, including the school committee calendar and how to join meetings, can be found on the school committee website. Meeting materials are also posted before each meeting.

Please join us for an Ice Skaking Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Area on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 9-9:50 pm. Tickets are $15 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event starting at 8:30 pm.

Celebrate the arrival of spring on March 20 with the Newton Public Schools “Goodbye Winter Hello Spring” Walk, Ride & Roll to School Day.  Enjoy time outside and with friends on the way to or from school, especially as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer!

As always, you can contact the Bigelow PTO at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com with any questions or concerns about getting to school safely.

You can find more information about walking or biking to school from Newton Safe Routes to School:

• https://www.facebook.com/events/920446492735769
• https://www.facebook.com/NewtonSafeRoutes
• https://twitter.com/NewtonSafe